The Washington herald., 1911-09-09

sc certain. 1t is quelque chose un peu
difficile, mais oui But then-monsieur
remembers that lady, the countess-?'
Countess? Whom do you mean?''
Who but our madame, the Countess
st. Auban in her own right? She who
gave me my Jeanne-at Tallwoods, mon
sieur! Have you not known? She IS
here. She Is chez nous. OF wealth and
distinction, yes. she has travelled in this
country merely for divertissement-but
the Countess st. Auban; yes, she pauses
now with the cooper, Hector Fournier!
Does one find such beauty, such distinc-
ton. such gentleness, such kindness,
such courteousness elsewhere than
among the nobility?'
when did she Gomez" demanded Dun
woody quietly.
But yesterday, upon the boat: without
announcement. She is at this very mo-
ment at my house yonder, busy with
that baby, Josephine ST. Auban Jeanne
Marie Fournier, named for a countess!
But do not turn back! Monsieur him
self has not yet seen the baby. Come"
For one moment Dunwody paused; then,
quietly, he accompanied Hector, making
no comment. He limped just slightly.
He was older-yes, and grayer.
The mother of Hector met them ever
before the gate was opened. Her voice
called to the door her daughter Jeanne,
who was shaking hands with DunwOdy
before he was halfway up the walk.
The calculations OF Jeanne attracted yet
another ear farther within the house A
moment later Dunwody saw pass before
the door a figure which he recognized, a
face which called the blood to his own
face. An instant later, forgetting every
thing. he was at the door, had her hands
in his own.
1T IS your he exclaimed How does
it happen? It is impossibleT'
Her face had more color than for days
Yes; it Is unexpected" she said simple,
at last. Everything is unexpected. But
of all things possible, this it seems to
me is best-to come hereto rest for a
time"
You are passing through to St.
LOUISE"
Perhaps" she said My plans for
the moment are somewhat unsettled.
stopped OF here, as no doubt you know,
to serve as godmother to this baby OF
Jeanne'si 1t is an important errand."
But monsieur has not perfectly ex-
amined this infant as yet" interrupted
Hector. See, 1t has the eyes Of jeanne
1t has"
1T is a darlIng"' said Josephine gent
ly, and stroked the somewhat scanty hair
Of the heiress of the Fournier estates.
In some way, moment later, they
were apart from the protestations Of the
fond parents. They found themselves
alone in the special apartment reserved
for guests of distinction. An awkward
moment ensued. Josephine was the first
to break the silence. Dunwody could only
sit and look at her, devouring each line,
each little remembered gesture of her.
Yes; II was shea little older and graver
and thinner, yes. But II was she.
II was talking with Jeanne this very
morning. she said. She was telling
me some story that you have been unfor-
tunate-that there has been-that Is to
say-political changes"
He nodded. Yes. Perhaps you know
J have lost my place with my people
here? 1 am done for politically"
He continued, smiling: Just to show
you the extent of my downfall. I have
heard that they are intending to tar and
feather me to-night-perhaps to give me
ride upon q rail That is the form Of
entertainment which in the West hitherto
has generally been reserved for horse
thieves, unwelcome revivalists, and that
sort Of thing. Not that 1t terrifies me.
The meeting Is going to be held"
Then It is true that you are to speak
here to-night-and to uphold doctrines
precisely the reverse Of what"
Yes; that Is true" He spoke quietly.
L nad not tnougnI tnaL pOSslOleS SHo
said gently.
"Qf course" she added, II have been IN
entire ignorance of all matters out here
for a year past. / have been busy.
why should you follow the political
fortunes of an obscure MissourianY he
asked. ION the contrary, there Is at
least one obscure Missourian who has fol-
lowed yours / have known pretty much
all YOU have been doing Of late. Yes;
YOU at least have been busy"
AS usual, she hung on the main point
/ But tell me- she demanded OF him
presently, a little added color coming
into her cheeks. do you mean to say
TO me that you really remember what We
/ talked about-that you really
He nodded, smiling. Don't you re-
member we talked about faith and how to
get hold OF It? And said I couldn't
\ md Il? Well. have no apologies and
no explanations. All have TO say Is
| that fought 1t out, thrashed Il all over,
and then somehow. ISdon't know how
weil, faith came to me-that Is al.
walked I'D one night ana I-weli, / iusl
knew. That is all. Then / knew had
been IN the wrong,s