The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1934-03-16

later. She taught me to read; but my
lessons were irregular, since her time
was never her own and there was all
too little opportunity for her to de-
vote herself to me. You must under
stand that was not the only one who
thought her beautiful. My father was
fattered by the sensation she created
at social functions. Was she not one
of his possessions? He thoroughly en-
joyed exhibiting her and gave an
amount Of thought to her adornment
that she never did. There must have
been story to explain their marriage.
What II was | was too young to De
told. No doubt | was sadly neglect
ed child. but so long as maman and
could steal our moments together. !
was happy. The crisis came on their
return from a fortnight's stay with
the Comte and Comtesse de Chatillon
at their chateau near Ruel Their two
sons. one older. one younger than |.
were both so far advanced beyond me
in education that my poor mother was
forced to face the fact that at last
some action must be taken for my
sake.
unfortunately, she was so accus-
toned to count on my ready co-Opera-
tiOn that she did not warn me of her
purpose. We had finished our second
breakfast on the morning after their
return from this visit, had risen from
the table and moved out into a small
salon In the sunny bow window OF
which my father used to sit and
smoke his long black cigars until the
hour came for his departure for the
club. When would have slipped
noiselessly from the room maman sig
nailed me to remain. She said:
Madame de Chatillon invited Stone
to visit her boys. Jasper
81 suppose you're limiting that he'll
need new toys he interrupted rough
Chatillons see he is as good as they
are.
"Maman shook her head slowly: He
can't do that, Jasper. He is unable to
meet them on an equality. The point
is that yesterday was ashamed of
your son."
Nesbit paused and lighted another
cigarette.
"There," he explained with delibera-
ton, there was where she tested me
too high. l was too young to under
stand. burst into tears and ran and
threw myself upon her. didn't know
what / had done, you see. that she
should be ashamed of me. And seeing
what a shock she had given me, she
was almost equally moved. Between
us, I'm sure we made scene which
told my father much that he had never
suspected about our mutual relations.
What he said was:
"'Tn be in your debt, Lorraine, II
you'll explain why I'm being treated 70
these theatricals?
knowing him as she did, that told
her that her most carefully guarded
secret was a secret no longer.
Jasper. at first her voice was so
low that even l. standing within the
shelter of her arm. could scarcely hear
it, I am to blame equally with you.
But If you had talked to Claude and
Louis you could not fail to acknowl-
edge that we have neglected Stones
education. He must have tutors
81 breathed a sigh of relief. 1t was
not a sin that | had committed which
had made her ashamed Of me. | was
rejoicing too soons My father was yet
to be heard from.
q tha< IN
entire accord. Lorraine he said with
an oily sweetness that | hated and
dreaded. Knowing how you dOte on
Stone (that was lie; he had never
suspected II before that hour, 4 have
hesitated to take any action In this
matter. Now ! shall hesitate no
longer. Tomorrow morning shall
take him with me to England and put
him In school there
For a moment my mothers arm
across my shoulder frightened until it
felt like bar Of metal.
"'And what about me? I ask you,
what about me? Do l not go with
your
"'My darling, you do not for mo-
ment suppose that would expose you
to the discomfort of crossing at this
season? No, no. You will await my
return here like the dutiful wife all
know you are. Have no fear. shall
come back to you safe and sound at
the first possible mement.'
ave two went the next morning,
l1,x;-. TO- hoh;pd ond rouor IN,
my mother again, alive or dead"
Involuntarily Sniff reached out and
seized his hand.
"No. no." she cried. "That would
be too cruel"
'T'm trying to tell you things exact
ly as they happened" Nesbit assured
her grimly. "But that's little ahead
of my story. l was a prisoner In Eng
land with the scantiest of pocket
money and no holidays. If my educa-
ton had previously been neglected. 1t
was made up for with a vengeance
once it was started. I didn't rebel.
My one idea was to be done with
schooling, since that was what was
keeping me from my mother.
"And then maman's letters stopped.
One month passed. two months, three
months. l wrote to Toison. even
wrote to my father. | was wild with
anxiety and | received no word from
anyone.
"Unable to bear the suspense,
made up my mind to run away from
school. to get to France by hook or by
crook and find out the truth for myself,
and think should have succeeded
In my undertaking had I not received
two lofforS that canSod mo fa q ha n