Evening star., 1915-03-28

girl became StralghtWay infatuated about
the handsome stranger, and Fosdyke, who
spoke French flucnty, took malicious pleas
ure in annoying the pretty prude, as he
No wonder, therefore, that the girl should
have longed for her fathers company and
protection; though she looked at him now
with an air of bewdcrment.
"You know something of him, them" she
said, searching the worn face with anxious
eyes.
II know his name. attended his moth
er's wedding. Indeed, why trouble to con-
ceal the fact that it was then first saw your
mother? She was bridesmaid, girl of
fourteen, and already notable as musical
prodigy | did not meet her again for six
years, when her voice had given way, and
she began to dabble in art. Mr.. and Mrs.
Fosdyke brought their little son to our we'd
ding. He was an extraordinarily pretty
child, and almost attracted more attention
than the bride"
Ingersoll spoke in the tone of one who was
recalling the past without pain; but his
glance followed the last stragglers of the
procession to Nizon,-Nizon, with its finely
carved Calvary, and its high-perched stone
cross bearing the tortured body OF the
Christ
"Father DEAR cried Yvonne impulsively,
II have made up my mind. You are power
less; but | can act. | will not have you har-
rowed and wounded at every turn. You
and l, together with Lorry and Pcridot,
saved my mothers life. She must repay us
by the only means she possesscs,-by con-
ferring the freedom of our own small Para
disc"
"Yvonnc,' he sighed, "somc day soon you
will be marrying
WIHEREAT the girl almost laughed.
w .No matter what happens, that is the
last thing should dream of doing she said.
"But whyo 1t is the one thing that girl
of Your age should have mainly in mind.
Even in this small community you might
find most excellent and chivalric hus-
band"
"Meaning Lorry,' said Yvonne without
hesitation
"Well-yes."
"But-I don't care for Lorry-in that
way
aHas he ever asked you9'
"No. Once or twice, perhaps, he has
hinted that Barkis was willing. The last
time was no later than the day of the wreck"
"And what did you say?N
"I was nearly angry with him"
"You would prefer him, suppose, to
man of the Rupert Fosdyke typea'
Al loathe the sight of Rupert Fosdyke!'
"How has he offended you?'
an no way that | can put into words.
He is very courteous, and quite clever
talker, and he tries to make every woman
he meets believe that she is the one creature
on earth he adores"
"Then poor Lorry, with his chummy slang
and abounding good conceit of himself and
all the world, excepting this Mr. Ray
mond, | take it,-compares but inditfer-
emily with the smooth-spoken Rupert?'
"Lorry He's a man. He's worth
million Fosdykcs!"
Ingersol, we'll pleased, adopted the sound
policy of leaving well enough alone. "Still,
you have given me no specific reason for
your dislike of Fosdyke,' he persisted.
"You read my mind too plainly, Dad
she protested, smiling vexedly. Il didn't
mean to tell you, hoping matters would
adjust themselves; as, indeed they may do
now, if these invaders withdraw. But
Madeleine has quite lost her head over
him"
"Maeleleine Demoret!' Ingersoll was
evidently amazed, as well he might be, see
ing that Breton maids are less approachablc
by strangers than the girls of almost any
other nationality.
"Yes, and the worst thing is that | am
to blame"
"But how can that be possiblc?'
"Mr Fosdykc arrived here last Saturday.
and of course | was introduced to him as