Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-08-19

and catholic taste.
De Chaumont spent nearly all that au-
tumn and winter in Castorland, where
he was building his new manor and
founding his settlement called lie Ray
vIiic. AS soon as ! became a member OF
his household his patrarChial kindness
was extended to me, though he regarded
me simply as an ambitious half-breed.
The strong place which he had built
for his first holding I'm the wilderness
thus grew into a Cloistercd school for me.
1t has vanished from the spot where it
stood. but l shall forever see it between
lake and forest.
Annabcl de Chaumont openly hated the
isolation Of the place, and was happy
only when she could fill it with guests.
But Madame de Ferricr evidently loved
it, remaining there with Paul and Er
nestinc. Sometimes I did not see her
for days together But Mademosele de
Chaumont, before her departure to her
Baltimore convent for the winter. amused
herself with my education. She brought
me an old book of etiquette in which
young gentlemen were admonished not
to lick their fingers or crack bones with
their teeth at table Nobody else being
at hand she befooled with Doctor Chan
try and me, and l saw for the first time,
with surprise, an old mans nfatuation
with Il poppet.
1t was this foolishness of her brothers
which Miss Chantry could not forgive De
Chaumonts daughter She was inces-
SAINT IN her condemnation, yet unmis-
takably fond in her English way of the
creature she condemned. Annabel loved
to drag my poor master in howery chains
before his relative. She would make
wreaths of crimson leaves for his bald
head and exhibit him grnning like a
wcak-eyed Bacchus. Once he sat doting
beside her at twilight on bench of the
wide gallery while his sister, nearby
kept guard over their talk | passed
them, coming back from my tramp, with
a glowing branch in my hand. For hav-
ing set my teeth in the scarlet, tart udder
of a sumach, all frosted with delicate
network ! could not resist bringing away
some OF its color.
did you get that for me?" called An
mabel. l mounted the steps to give it to
her, and she said, Thank you, Lazarre
Williams. Every day you learn some
pretty new trick. Doctor Chantry has
not brought me anything from the woods
in a long while"
Doctor Chantry stirred his equity feet
and looked hopelessly out at the land
sCape
sit here by your dearest Annabel,"
said Mademoiselle de Chaumont.
Her governess breathed the usual sigh
of disgust.
l sat by my dearest Annabel anxious
to light my candle and open my books.
She shook the friz2es around her cheeks
and buried. her hands under the scarlet
branch in her lap.
DO you know, LaZarre williams
have to leave you?"
| said | was sorry to hear it,
Yes, | have to go back to my con-
vent, and drag poor Miss Chantry with
me. though she is a hereto and hates
the forms of our religion.
But she has, to submit, and so do 7,
because my father will have nobody but
an English governess"
"Mademoiselle," spoke Miss Chautry,
II would suggest that you sit on a chair
by yourself"
What on one of those little crowded
chairs?' said Annabel
She reached out her sly hand for
mine and drew it under cover of the
sumach branch.
Il have been thinking about your rank,
wondering what it is"
IF you thought more about your own
1t would be better" said Miss Chan!ly
I'VE are Americans here" said Anna
bel "All are equal, and some are free
/ am only equal. Must your dearest
Annabel obey you about the chair, Miss
Chantry?"
"I said 1 would suggest that you sit
on a chair by yourself"
Il will, dear. You know 1 always
follow your suggestions"
L felt the hand that held mine tighten
its grip in despairinE squeeze. Anna
bel suddenly raised the branch above
her head with both arms and displayed
Doctor Chantry's hand and mine clasped
tenderly In her lap. She laughed until
even Miss Chantry was infected and
the doctor Uttered and wiped his ewes
"Watch your brother, Miss Chantry-
don't watch me! You thought he was
squeezing my hand-and he thought so
too! lazarre Williams Is just out of
the woods and doesn't know any better.
But Doctor Chantry- he is older than
my father!"
eve wished to obIige YOU. made
I said But the poor English
gentleman Uttered on in helpless adj
miration. He told me, privately-"I
never saw another girl Ike her. SO
full of spirits and so frank"
Doctor Chantry did not wear his dis
figuring horn spectacles when Annabel
was near He wrote a great deal of
poetry while the blow of parting from
her was hanging over him, and read It
to me of mornings, deprecating my voice
less contempt, l would hear him quar-
reling with a servant in the hail. for
the slightest variation in his comfort
engeudered RACES In him that We're
laughable. Then he entered, red-nosed, /
and bloodlessly shivering, with
a piece of paper covered by innumerable
small characters.
Good morning, my lad" he would say.
Good morning, Doctor Chantry" l an
swered.
Here are few little stanzas which
have just set down If you have no
objection 1 will read them"
/ must have listened like a trapped
bear. sitting up and longing TO get at
him, Tor he usually finished humbly.
folding his paper and putting 1t away
in his breast. There was reason 10 be-
lieye that he spent valuable hours copy
ing all these verses for Annabel de Chau-
mont But there is no evidence that
she carried them with her when she ana
her governess departed in a great coach
all gilt and padding.
Servants and a wagonload of baggage
and supplies accompanied De ChaumOnt's
on the long journey to her Bal
umore convent.
Shaking IN every nerve and white as a
sheet, my poor master watched her out
Of sight He said he should not see his
sister again until spring ana added that
he vas a fool, but when a creature Of
light came across his path he could not