Year: 1874

What is ?" cried the little English
woman to herself with piteOus energy.
"a likeness No, not a likeness Yes
no-yes. Certainly not! While brooding
over this matter am becoming silly"


Madame reflected, and made up ner
mind that she was too tired and hungry
to think to any purpose. She dined. and
Jacques brought her some coffee in her
chamber.


Madame could no: refrain from ques-
tioning Jacques. For many long years it
had been the BUSINESS of her life to ques
ton. Slime was the girls name. She
was the niece of Monsieur, and her fate
was sad.


why do they treat her badly?''


at seems to come by nature said
Jacques. "At present she is in great dis
grace because she refuses to marry me
although l have declared to Monsieur
will not have her"


but is she not good and nice??' cried
Madame


dependant, persisted Jacques. Il
will not have her. She likes me as it is
she would hate me if Ipressed her to mary
me. Mon Dieu! Heaven must do some
thing better than that"


Our traveller was ON her way to Eng
land. and had broken her journey to rest
but night; yet she had already become
curiously interested in the inhabitants OF
La Grue. She decided that she would
make an indefinite stay at Dindans. That
night she wrote some letters, and looked
over papers, in her chamber. She was
very much excited, and did not settle to
rest until it was another day.


She was only in her first sleep when
Slime got up to begin her daily work. No
one in the house was awake but herself as
she went into the garden, fetched vegeta-
bles, and prepared them for use, placed
saucepans on the stove. and then went in-
to the courtyard to make ready her laun
dry-talle for an hours ironing AS she
trotted about the dewy garden and the
cool, gray courtyard, she held up her head
and moved lightly, delighted in the taste
of fresh air. space, and peace. Her crisp.
white bodice rustled with freshness, and
smell of lavender; her little apron fluttered
as Is it enjoyed itself She went to her
ironing under the vines, but hardly plait
ed frili when she remembered that she
had not put the things straight in the paint
ing-room of the club. In minute she
was busy folding up the tangled drapery
that bad been used in costuming modal
the night before. The next morning some
one came into the room, and Slime seemed
all at once in a great hurry as she said:


"Good-day, Monsieur Lawrence; you
are up early" turning away as she spoke,
and making haste with her work.


"Stine, will you not put that away for 4
moment and speak to me?''


Il have spoken, Monsieur, have said
good-day.''


The young man looked hat sad and
half angry, as she opened the door, cour-
tested, and disappeared. The painter sa,
down, and began 10 work at his pictdre.


This place is not good for me" he re-
ilected; Il shall leave it as soon AS posi-
BILE. Elsewhere | shall have greater ad-
vantages. and be rid of heart.ache. All
why do love her, when she does not Gale
for me ? But what life see before her in
this place. Worked to death, or welded
to Jacques, or to the owner of the nearest
estamiaet. have not much to offer her,
but in time | shall succeed: we could be
frugal. She need not work for two OF Us
as they work her here.


Lawrence was alone in the world. His
art was his delight, and he had left Eng
land for the purpose of studying in one OF
the best Continental schools. Passing
through Dindans he had been attracted.
first. by the quietness OF the old Inn, and
afterwards by Stine's sad face: and here
had been content to follow his art-studies,
without pushing on further to the higher
point of his ambition. He had been able
on occasions TO save the girl from harsh
treatment, and he recalled now her amaze
ment at being so shielded, and the frank,
warm friendship that had sprugup between
IL To t,I nl,1I 1, l. l.
work in the kitchen, in the courtyard.
everywhere, and had made sketches OF her
by stealth under every aspect. Later
there had come upon him dreams in which
he tancied her fitting about in home
and one day, when she had been in trouble
he had spoken to her, and then he had
found his mistake. His love had appeared
to vex her, and their friendship was at an
end. She was now as sad and reserved
as when he had first set eyes on her. at
must be that | am quite unlovable.n -
thought Lawrence, "since she will rather
endure unkindness than share nv lot.n
Meanwhile, Stine was working with
nimble fingers at her ironing table linen,
were folded and muslins crimped, while
now and again few tears flashed out of





cheeks. She remembered one day when
II kind face had come into the inn and
something had saved her from beating;
she then being considered young enough
to be punished. She remembered how
light had become her tasks after that won
deriul day; how the consciousness of De-
ing protected had grown habitual to her,
while the wonder swelled within her at
finding herself person to be so deply re-
spectsd. She began to think that even
life ike hers might come to have beau
liful side to it, till that first dreadful night.
when she had told herself it would be bet
ter if she should never see Monsieur Law
renee again. The next day had brough;
trouble of her disobedience about Jacques.
as well rs that strange supreme moment
when Lawrence. having heard OF ii. had
asked her to be his wife, and had been re-
fused. Yes. and she would refuse him TO-
morrow again, if put to it! Flash came