The Washington herald., 1912-11-24

At this moment the carriage drew
up at the doorway of Number IL Rue
Cog Heron.
what you have told me, Monsieur"
said the baroness, shows me that at
least you have confidence in me. l
will be as generous. Come with me
into my house"
The Comte de Lussac opened the
door, helped his companion to descend,
and followed her into the house, the
door of which had been opened at the
sound of the carriage wheels by an
old servant, wtite-bearded, and dress
ed in livery that was an obvious
mis6t.
ANY letter, Placide?" asked his
mistress as she crossed the hall to-
ward the stairs leading to the first
floor and the drawing-room.
NO, Madame" replied the old fell
low in a grumbling voice.
ANY callers"
"Only a man from Boehmer, the
jeweler. Madame, TO say that the dia-
mond necklace would be ready by We'd
nesday as you desired. He brought
some message as to the fine quality of
the stones having delayed its compile
ton, but / have forgotten it, nor does
it matter, for all these jewelers. and
tradesmen are liars"
The baroness laughed as she led the
way upstairs.
"Placide is an original" she said,
opening the door of her boudoir and
exposing a pretty little salon decorated
and upholstered in a scheme of blue /;
esa@I 80,
windows gave a view OF the Rue Coo
Heron, and between the windows, on
an ormolu table, a great bowl of hot
house flowers filled the air with their
fragrance.
"One might fancy him an old SER
want" she continued, casting her gloves,
which she had removed, on the couch,
and going TO the bowl of flowers which
she rearranged as if for the pleasure
of touching them. "He is old enough
in all conscience. as far as age goes,
but he has only been a very short
time in my service. Listen"
A wrangiing sound came from below
stairs.
He is quarreling with Rosine. He
keeps the whole house in order. He
is becoming insuferable"
why, then. do you not dismiss
him" asked De Lussac, who had TAX
en- his seat on the fauteuil and with
the boldness of lover was caressing
one of the gloves which she had cast
there.
Because. dear Monsieur de Lussac,
though he has only been in my service
few days. find him invaluable-he
is M, cbaoaroo
Your chaperon?"
Eyes"
Still arranging the flowers. she
a moment the door opened and Pla-
eide appeared.
"Placide," said his mistress, kind
ly take my gloves to Rosine. Where
are they? All, left them upon the
fauteuil. Monsieur de Lussac, may /
trouble you TO pass my gloves to Pla-
cide?"
De Lussac, biting his lip with morti-
fcations, handed the gloves, which the
surly old man carried off, closing the
door behind him.
you see, he is quite useful" said
Madame Ia Baronne, finishing the ar
rangement of her flowers. 81 really
did not want a man-servant. | en-
gagged him half from pity and also be-
cause he was so quaint. He is some
relation of my cook. Do you not agree
with me that he is useful?"
He may be useful, Madame" re-
piled De Lussac, who had recovered
his temper, but this l will say-he is
not honest"
"Placide not honest! In what way,
Monsieur lie Comte?"
HE has robbed me of your gloves"
He rose from the couch and advanced
as if to take her hand. She stretched
it toward the bell and he paused.
Monsieur lie Comte, pray take your
seat again on the fauteuil, and will
take this chair, and so we shall not
weary PIacide. Now, let US talk. L
am touched by your confidence in me,
and l have heard the declaration you
made to me with mixed feelings"
"Oh, Madame!"
"One moment! That declaration
from man to a woman in my posi-
ton may be the sincerest compliment.
or the reverse. In which way am l
to take it?'
I'm this way. Madame" replied the
young man, rising from the couch and