The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1914-09-11
CHAPTER III-Continued.


While my mind hurriedly ran
through all the possibilities OF my sit
uation, the elder gentleman bowed Es-
telle to the seat which the usher OF
fered them and tremendously depart
ed, to take up his station at the side
OF the French ambassador, among
little group of foreign dignitaries near
the high altar. He brushed past me
An his high buff boots-and, for the
present, at least, my purse was lost
TO me. l prayed fervently that his
huties did not call for his kneeling;
would not trust my property even
among the peers and their ladies.
should II roll out of his boot-tops!
Well, for the present there was moth
1ng to be done. My escort sat be-
tween myself and Estelle, who peered
ecstatically toward the altar. We two
had not good sight of the proceed
fngs, but we did not care. We were
engrossed with the novelty and
piquancy of our situation-at least
Know | was, even though my hatred
for this man was becoming insupport-
able.
Whether or not / actually saw the
browning of King George ! have not
the smallest idea. / know the organ
pealed and tenor voices sang anthems,
and that from time to time we rose
upon our feet and then sat down
again In that Kaleidoscope series of
shangeful coloring, those swaying,
xooving, loyal crowds, we were as soli-
tary as travellers In a desert of pris-
matte sands.
"Will you not tell me your name,
aun-goddess?" besought my compan-
ION. 81 sought you everywhere that
afternoon; was disconsolate-"
You sought me?" answered sharp
~. why, you had not the common
courtesy to wait until had recovered
6rom my fright"
Fright" he repeated. 1T was the
change of temperature that made mad
pmoiselle faint, not fright"
This was ingenious; in spite OF my
nAte of him, felt slightly mollified.
why didn't you waltz" asked, and
then hated myself for having asked It.
He hung his head. quite like boy.
III tell you, sun-goddess," he an
awered. THE fact is-my grandfather
ns one OF the French military embassy,
you know"
So that was his grandfather: had
thought the old gentleman his father.
He looked hardly over sixty.
my grandfather is eightyfour," he
said, smiling. as though he read my
thoughts. When you have favored me
with your name | shall tell you our
own; II Is a name well-known In the
annals of France. On account of some
pride OF his-you know he has old
fashioned ideas, sun-goddess-he de-
sired that, II insisted on flying.
should do so incognito. Besides,
though / have no official rank here ex-
cept that OF army captain, am really
here on quite an important mission on
behhif of the French foreign Office,
You will understand, therefore. how
essential 1t was that. on the eve OF the
coronation, our name should not be-
come the common property Of the pub
lie. Accordingly, l hurried away to
change my clothes after the fight, be-
ing sure that when | returned TO the
grounds, unrecognized, should find
you there and be privileged to offer
you my most respectful thanks and
homage. Imagine my chagrin, then, to
discover that you and your companion
lad disappeared. was disconsolate."
You thought more of your machine
than you did Of me-" / said, and next
moment ! could have bitten my
tongue. FASTENED to add that IT
made no difference to me.
1t was bewildering. the medley OF
emotions that this young Frenchman
inspired In me. Hate was predomi.
nant, but yet. perhaps becabse of my
own French blood. found his pres
ence stimulating, inspiring. He was
90 different from Mr. Sprattl
And now, you will favor me with
your name, that l may present my
grandfather, will you not. mademoi
sello?" he asked.
MY name" answered. 'is Anne
Ives. IL is a short one, but II serves
all useful purposes"
"And--pardon me IL am presumptu
pus. mademoisclls-but you are ar
American. making . journey to Eng
land unchaperoned, doubtless in &C