The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1914-01-01

Pierre Laroche waved them to their
places-where they would!-so that
they waited not!
Quizzically my lord lifted his brow;
truly here was a Republican fellow
who appreciated not an honor when
it was bestowed upon him, nor saw
anything unusual in a Marquis pres
ence beneath that humble roof. Some
thing of this he murmured to my
lady, in tone others might have
heard but she answered not; took her
place, with red lips the flrmer, as If
to conceal some weakness to which
they sought to give way.
Not without constraint the meal
passed; the host, desirous to learn
the latest political news, looked at the
Marquis and curbed natural curios-
ity, until a more favorable moment
when he and the Black Seigneur should
be alone My lady, although generally
made to feel welcome and at home
there, seemed now, perhaps, to herself,
a little out of place, like person that
has wandered from world of her own
and strayed into anothers. Cross-cur-
rents, long at strife in her breast,
surged and flowed fast; the while she
seemed to listen to my lord, who ap-
peared now in lighter, more airy hui
NOR. And as she sat thus, with fair
head bent little, she could but hear,
at times, above the medley Of tones
and the sound of servants footsteps
in gathering wooden shoes, the voice
of tho Black Seigneur-now pledging
toast to old Pierre; anon discussing
winds, tides, or ships! A free reck-
less voice, that seemed to vibrate
from the past-to stir anew bright.
terrible flames.
Daylight slowly waned; lights were
brought in, and, the meal over, old
Pierre pushed back in his chair My
lady rose quickly; looked little con-
strainedly at the company, at the Mar
uuis, then toward the door. Anticipat-
ing her desire, attributing to it, per-
haps, significance flattering to his
vanity, the young nobleman expressed
wish for stroll; sight of the gar
den. At once she assented; slight
tint now on her cheeks, she moved
to the door, and my lord followed; as
they disappeared, the Black Seigneur
laughed-at one of Pierre's jokes!
Have not told it before?" said
the host.
Have you?" murmured the Black
Seigneur. well, good jest, like an
excellent dish, may well be served
| twice"
"Humph!" observed the landlord
doubtfully. After pause: II suppose
he will be taking her away soon"
Her" The young man rose.
"The Lady Elise!"
II suppose so," shortly.
1--WE shall miss her!" grumbled the
landlord as he, too, got up and walked
over to the fireplace. Il, who never
thought to care for any Of the fine
folk-I, bluff old Pierre Laroche!-say
we shall miss her."
KNOWS she how it Jared with his
Excellency's-her father's-estate? ?
That little, or nothing, is left?"
AYE"
"And she will agree to the promise
l wrote you about?" quickly.
"That you-now that the right to
your name has been vindicated-are
content to accept half the lands in dis
pute; her ladyship to retain the other
half?"
"Yes; in consideration of that which
his Excellency expended in taxes-no
small sum!-and what it would cost
to carry on vexatious litigation!"
"You are strangely faint-hearted to
pursue your advantage" said old
Pierre shrewdly. But" as the other
made a gesture, II put it to her lady
ship as you desired me to, and
"She consented?" eagerly.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)
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