The Washington herald., 1911-08-27
CHAPTER XXu-Continued.

ten. 1 nave lOllO"Su lllC AOA NNiiSo "a
madame quite across the sea. AS madanpe
knows, l do not lack intelligence. l have
read-many romances, my heart not lack
ing interest. Always have read, have
dreamed. of some man who should carry
me away, who should oblige me. All.
madame. what girl has not in her soul
some hero? Almost was about to say 1t
was the sight, the words, of the boldness,
the audacity of this assassin, this brute,
who has brought us here by force-the
words of his love SO passionate TO
madame, which stirred in my own heart
the passion! That I might be stolen! 1t
was the dream of my youth! And now
comes this Hector, far more bold and
determined than this Mr.. Dunwodee.
That assassin, that brute began, but hes
itated. All, Hector has not hesitated!
Seeing that he would in any case possess
myself, would carry me away, yielded.
but with honor and grace. madame. AS
between Monsieur Dunwodee and Hec-
tor-iI une difference, madame
"Je crois qu' oui, Jeanne-je lie crois
But it comes to the same thing, eh? You
forsake me?'
Madame, 1 confess sometimes in my
heart there comes desire for a home.
for a place where one may abide, where
Josephine sat silent for a moment. In
what direction might she herself now
turn for even the humblest friendship?
And where was any home now for her?
The recreant maid saw something of this
upon her face.
Madame" she exclaimed, falling upon
her knees in CONSERVATION. ITO think I
would desert you! In my heart resides
nothing but loyalty for you. How could
you doubt?'
But Josephine was wise in her own
way That night Jeanne kissed her hand
had changed her mind. With sobs. tears
she admitted that she had decided to
leave service, no longer to be Jeanne,
but Madame Hector Fournier. Thus at
the very time when she most would have
needed aid and attendance, Josephine
saw herself about to be left alone.
But, madame" said Jeanne, still
fearful. returning after brief absence
from the room, although 1 leave now
for st. Genevieve to stand before the
priest, I shall not see madame left with
out attendance. See, have asked of this
Lily person,-la voici. madame-if she
could take service with madame. Mad
anne plans soon to return to the East
Perhaps this July. then"
"Ma'am, 1 want to work for you"
broke out Lily suddenly. stretching out
her hands. II don't want to go back
home. want 10 go Win YOU can't Bo
back home-Td only run away again.
They'd have TO kill me"
Some swift arithmetic was passing
through Josephines mind at the time.
Here. then, was concrete opportunity to
set in practice some Of her theories.
Lilly, would you like to come with me
as my maid?' she demanded. Gould
YOU learn, do you think, in case should
need youH
.fof co'se 1 could learn. Ma'am. I'd
do my very best
1t was thus that it was agreed, with
small preliminary, that on the next
morning Tallwoods should lose three of
its late tenants. Josephine ventured to
inquire of Dunwody regarding Lily.
Take her If you like" said he brusQuely.
II will arrange the papers for 1t with
CLAYTON himself. There will be no ex-
pense to you. II he wants to sell the
girl I'll pay him. No; not a cent from
YOU. Go on, Lily, If you want to. This
time you'll get shut of us, reckon. and
we'll get shut of you. I hope you'll
never come back, this time. You've made
trouble enough already.
Thus. then, on the day of departure.
Josephine ST. Auban found herself stand
ing before her mirror. 1t was not an un-
lovely image which she saw there. In
some woman's fashion, assisted by
Jeannes last fearful services and the
clumsy art of Lily, she had managed a
garbing different from that Of her hrst
arrival at this place. The lines of her
excellent figure now were wholly shown
in this costume Of golden brown which
she had reserved to the last Her hair
as even glossier than when she first came
here to Tallwoods her cheek of better
color She was almost disconnected that
the trials of the winter hal wrought no
greater ravages; but after all, smile
was not absent from her lips. Not abo-
litionist here in the mirror. but beauti7
full young woman. Certainly, whichever
or whoever she was. she made picture
fit wholly to fill the eyes Of the master
of Tallwoods when he came to tell her
the coach was ready for the journey to
St Genevieve. But he made no COM
ment, not daring
See" she said, almost gayly. Il can
put on both my gloves" She held out to
him her hands.
They are very SMALL he replied stu
diously. He was calm now. She saw he
had himself well in hand. His face was
pale and grave.
WELL said she finally. the great
coach drove around to the door. IT sup
pose 1 am to say good-by."
TIL just walk with you down tho
road he answered. I'VE walked up II,
once, together
They followed on, after the coach had
now moody and silent his head dropped,
his hands behind him, until the carriage
pulled up and waited at the end of the
shut-in at the lower end Of the valley.
Josephine herself remained silent as well.
but as the turn Of the road approached
which would cut off the view of Tall
woods, she turned impulsively and waved
o hand In farewell at the great mansion
house which lay back, silert and strong,
among the hills.
He caught the gesture and looked at
her quickly. That's nice of you," said
he, mighty nice.
In some new sort of lf-abashment
she found no immediate reply. He left
her then, and walked steadily back up
the driveway, saying nothing in fare
we'll, and not once looking back. For
a time she followed him with her gaze,
a strange sinking at her heart OF which
she was ashamed, which gave her alike
surprise and sudden fear.
1t was a much abashed and still tear
ful though not a repentant Jeanne who
embraced her mistress. after the simple
little wedding of Jeanne and Hector,
when they had repaired to the wedding |
feast at the maison Fournier.
But come. madame" said Jeanne. |
Behold my new home. Is II not delight |
fuI! Ihis Is the mother of Hector, |
maoame' and this-ah, this is the home |
OF Hector and myself Tonight also n |