The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-04-05
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CONTINUED
CHAPTER XVI.
The Duke In Doubt.

a calm and perfect sea, whose waters !
were voices at her port to solace her. |
and where the stars alone glowed
down like friends upon her and
seemed to understand-wss q torture
to Julia Redmond. To herself she
called her aunt cruel. over and over
again, and felt prisoner. Gagged
creature.
fremont found her charming. though
in this role of Florence Nightingale.
she puzzled and perplexed him. She
was nevertheless adorable. The
young man had the good sense to
make discreet courtship and under
stood she would not be easily won,
Until they reached Algiers. indeed.
until the night before they disem,
barked, he had not said one word to
her which might not have been shared
by her aunt. In accordance with the
French custom. they never were
alone The marquise shut her eyes
and mapped considerably and gave
them every opportunity she could. but
she was always present,
The Due de fremont had been often
in love during his short life. He was
Latin and thought that women are
made to be loved. 1t was part of his
education to think this and to tell
them this, and he also believed it
proof of his good taste to tell them
this as soon as possible.
He was a thoroughly fine fellow.
Some of his forefathers had fought
and fallen in Agincourt. They h ad
been dukes ever since. There was
something distinctly noble in the
blond young man. and Julia discov.
cred it. Possibly she had felt 1t
I from the first.
From the moment that the old duch.
ess had said TO Robert de fremont:
Julia Redmond is a great catch,
my dear boy. | should like to have
you marry her" her son answered:
"Bien, ma mere" with cheerful ac-
quiescence. and Immediately consid-
cred IL and went to Tarascon. to the
Chateau dEsclignac. When his
mother had suggested the visit he
told her that he intended making up
a party for the Mediterranean.
why don't you take your godmoth.
er and the American girl9 Miss Red
mond has an income of nearly a mil
lion francs and they say she is WELL
bred"
Very good, ma mere"
When he saw Miss Redmond he
found her lovely: not so lovely as the
Comtesse de la Maine. whose invita-.
tion TO dinner he had refused on the
day his mother suggested the Chateau
d'Esclignac. The comtesse was q
widow. II is not very, very CONNIE
il faut to marry widow, in the Fau,
bourg St-Germain. Miss Redmond s
beauty was different. She was self
absorbed and cold. He did not un
derstand her at all. but that was the
American of her.
One of his friends had married an
American girl and found out after
ward that she chewed gum before
breakfast. Pauvre Raymond! Miss
Redmond did not suggest such possi
bilities. Still she was very different
from French ieune file.
With his godmother he was entirel,
at ease. Ever since she had paid his
trifling debts when he was young
man, he had adored her. fremont
always discreet and almost in love
with his godmother, kept her in {
state of great good humor always, anC
when she had suggested to him thi
little party he had been delighted. II
speaking over the telephone the Mar
quise dEsclignac had said yer.
firmly:
MY dear Robert, you understand
that this excursion engages you t,
nothing"
"Oh, of course. marianne"
We both need change, and be
tween ourselves. Julia has little mis-
! sion on foot"
fremont would be delighted t
help Miss Redmond carry it out
Whom else should he ask?
by all means, any one you like.
said his godmother diplomatically
We want to sail the day after tC
morrow" She felt safe. KNOWN
that no worldly people would accer
an invitation on twenty-four hour.
notice
So" the Due de fremont reflected
as he hung up the receiver "Mis
Redmond has a scheme, mission
Young girls do not have schemes an
missions in good French society"
'Mademoiselle," he said to her, a
they walked up and down on the dec
in the pale sunset, in front Of tn
chair of the Marquise d'Esclignac,
never saw an ornament more becon
ing to a woman than the one 20
wear"
\ The ornament. Monsieur"
y "Un your sleeve tt is so beaut
full. A string of pearls would not b
more beautiful. although your pear
are lovely, too. Are all American girl
Red Cross members?"
II But of course not, Monsieur. Al
all girls anywhere one thing?"
II Yes, said the Due de Tremon
they are all charming, but there al
II gradations."
II DO you think that we shall reac
ii Algiers tomorrow. Monsieur"
IL Il hope not. Mademoiselle."
III Miss Redmond turned her fine ey,
II on him.
ii You hope not?"