Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-04-24

He Is quarreling with Rosine. He
keeps the whole house in order He is
becoming insufferable"
Why, then, do you not dismiss
MIN g asked De Lussac, who had taken
his seat on the fauteuil and with the
boloness OF a 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
q few days. find him invaluable-he is
my chaperon."
Your chaperon?"
Still arranging the flowers, she
touched bell near the window. In
= moment the door opened and Placide
appeared.
.'Placide.' said his mistress, kindly
take my gloves to Rosine. Where are
they? All, ! left them upon the fau-
teuil. Monsieur de Lussac, may trou-
Bile you to pass my gloves to Placide?"
De Lussac, biting his lip with morti-
f1cation, handed the gloves, which the
surly old man carried OF, closing the
door behind him.
You see, he is quite useful" said
Madame Ia Baronne, finishing the ar
not want man servant engaged
MIN hall from pity and also because
he was so quaint He is some relation
OF my cook. Do you not agree with me
tAaI ne is uEeful?"
He may be useful, madame replied
De Lussac, who had recovered his tenn
per. but this will say-he is not hon
est"
"Placide not honest! In what way,
Monsieur lie Comte?''
He has robbed me of your Gloves
He rose from the couch and advanced
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 Pfacide. Now, let us talk. 1
am touched by your confidence in me,
and have heard the declaration you
made to me with mixed feelings"
oh, nadame!"
One moment! That declaration from
man to woman in my position may
be the sincerest compliment, or the
reverse. In which way am l to take
it?''
In this way, madame" replied the
young man, rising from the couch and
standing before her as a courtier might
stand before a queen. When / said
love, said In that word all that love
implies-respect, lifelong devotion.
Without putting 1t in words, 1 asked
you to share my future and my for
tune as my wife"
Madame la Boronne rose from her
chair and bowed
Standing before her, he bowed In
return. It was a quaint picture, in
keeping with the dress and the elegant
customs of the time.
He did not again attempt to take
her hand; she had at a stroke put a
gulf between them such as exists be-
tween powerful potentate and the
ambassador OF an inferior power.
10 your offer, monsieur" she made
only reply that thank you sincerely
for the compliment 1t contains; that,
frankly. l have never met q man /
liked SO much as like"-she blushed
slightly-"the Comte de Lussac; that
! have taken a deep interest in him, IL
for no other reason than because he is
so unlike the fops and fools Of Paris;
and that just for that reason and be-
cause study the welfare of those
whom l like, I ought to decline his
offer. To do SO would merely be fair"
MADAME"
"One moment replied this extraor-
binary woman who to the genuine was
always genuine. You are Monsieur lie
Comte de Lussac, with large estate and
q splendid fortune, IL you do not spoil
1t by entangling yourself with the
enemies OF the king; you have fallen
IN love with 2 woman Of no fortune, no
position. an adventures
Cease, madame IT,, cried De Lussacs
violently, rising from his seat as though
he were addressing an enemy. Not
another word against the woman 1 love.
Fortune, position! Those words are
blasphemy against the holy spirit Of
Is an adventures! CAN her what you
will, you can not deceive my heart or.
tell me against my understanding and
my instinct that she Is anything but
pure" ss
the baroness this idealist had almost
FORGOTTEN her urAaSsncp and f11n - ~ xmo<