The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1917-03-15

the sufferings of poor rance should
fail to be in even one American wom-
ans heart. And now l am in deep
concern. Where am to obtain the
good strong mules by which to trans
port through fields heavy with mud
the food to my poor boys in their
trenches?"
Right here. captain, l feel reason
ably sure. I think I see a way TO give
you what you want at a better figure
And from it no man shall reap more
than just wage for honest work AS
the governor of the state Of Harpeth 1
can give you at least that assurance"
And as he spoke my Gouverneur
Faulkner looked the CaIitaine the
Count de Lassclles in the eyes with a
fine honesty that carried with it the
utmost Of conviction
Il give thanks to le bon Dieu," 1
said, with words that were very soft
in my throat, but at which I observed
the mouth Of that Governor Faulk-
ner to again become as one straight
line of GOODNESS.
AA-AtNNNts sAAdllAH " II DJl 4yltls I4lNC-
moiselle," made courteous answer to
me my Capitaine the Count de Las
selles. But how will you accomplish
that purpose, NJ. lie Gouverneur?"
As soon as I've done with these fig
ures I'll have in jim your iailer. and
then you'll hear some things about the
American mountain mule that you
never heard before, I believe" As he
spoke my Gouverneur Faulkner pro-
ceeded with making figures with his
pencil. fine glow of eagerness added
to that Of rage in his eyes very deep
under their brows. "NOw I'll go and
call in jim" he said after few min
utes of waiting and left the room in
which I was then alone with my Cap
itaine the Count de Lasselles, who
came to me with outstretchcd hands.
All, Mile. Roberta" he exclaimed,
Il am in Il debt of gratitude to you
for bringing this great gentleman, your
friend, to my rescue and also to the
solving Of this very strange situation
concerning these contracts. Indeed
have You accomplished the mission for
which you enlisted-your friends for
France
But before procedure | must ask
you. little lady, why it was that YOU
made a vaniShment from that hotel
in New York I sought you there in
vain, and it is a great ease to nv I'M
happy heart to find you in the care Of
a family and friends. 7 make colupli-
ments on your costume of the ride
also observe the custom of attire mas
cullne to be on those plains Of the
great west where I bought the wheat"
1t IS a great joy to me- mon can't
tame, that you give to me your an
provaL Much has happened to NE in
these short weeks since you left me ia
loneliness on that great ship that I
must tell to YOU" 1 said as a sob rose
into my words.
Poor little girl. 1t viii not be many
hours now before I can say to you the
things that have been growing in NV
heart for you since that night upon the
ship he said to me in great tender
ness as he raised my hand and bent to
kiss it just As entered the great Gou-
verneur Faulkner and the wild Jim
I had not the courage to gaze upon
the face of my Gouverneur Faulkner.
but I felt its coldness strike into NV
body and turn it to hardness. For a
second | stood as a stone; then q sud
den resolve rose in me. and again that
daredevil seized upon my thought
took a piece of that white paDer with
caution and also a pencil and with
them slipped from the room. while that
wild Jim seated himself upon my low
ly stool beside the table ut which again
the two great men We're writing.
And out in the soft light that was
now slowly fading from the side Of
the mountain because of the retire
ment Of the sun l sat me down upon
the step of the hut and wrote to my
Gouverneur Faulkner this small letter:
Honored EXcelleucy the Couveraeur
FaUlkner Of the State of Harpcth-I go
from you into the trenches of France. If
your humble boy Robert has done for You
any small service. I beg Of you In that
name that my uncle, the General Robert
and my friends never know Of my dis
honor Of lies about my womaus estate
but believe me to die as a soldier for
France. as will be the case. Make all clear
for me TO my CaQtaiae the Count de Las
selles. II is that all women are not lies
ROBERTA,
Marquise of Gree and Bye
Then left that letter upon the door
step, held in place by the weight Of a
stone. ana very softly slipped out into
the shadows of the twilight ana down