The Saint Paul globe., December 17, 1900, Page 8, Image 10

About The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905

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8
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Jjfj)§llfs T&oMms'.
Ey "M. E. FRANCIS"— cf "In a North Country Village." etc. "/
Synopsis of Installments I to VII.— M-'-
Ty O Neill, a pirl of unusual beauty; 13
woflring a3 daiiy governess in Dubln i:i
Buppbrt of her aunt (a decayed gentle
woman) and hers If. Her existence be
comes known to Miss ONeill—the.last rep
resentative o£ the O'Neills—the possessor
of a lage estate and. handsome revenue,
•who-is in search (f a direct h;ir; and
Molly is straightway summoned to Castle
O'Noili. where she meets her dreaded rel
ative, and makes a favorable Impression.
Miss O'Neill is immensely proud c£ hr
ancestry,, and is devoted to the duties of
her high pos tion. Molly accompanies her
on her daily Inspection of "kitchens,, gar
dens and vil-age, and note 3 the auto
cratic supervision to which every house
hold on the setate is subjected. She be
fom.3 a general favorite in the district.
Mrs. Mackenzie is Invited *to the cast c
for Christmas, and endeavors to lcam her
hostess" plans concerning Molly, but only
succeeds in grievously misrepresenting
her niece. Molly undoes th.; m'ch c:'.
however, by hsr straightforwardness. Sh3
goes back with her nt, but 13 summon
ed to the «astle on th 3 occasion ol Miss
O'Nt-ili's sericus illnes.-, and is the means
of cheering her relative's last hours. Mr.
Burke had previously made Miss O'Neill's
will, all being left to Molly— certa'n
provisions against which the old lawyer
in vain protested. After Miss O'NeiTs
death. Molly and her aunt take up their
abode at the castle. But one morninJc a
letter arrives from Mr. Burke Faying that
a male descendant of the elder i-'ne his
been found. Hu?h O'Xeill turns out to
be a delicate, affected young man; he
falls in love with his pretty cousin, but
as neither aunt nor lawyer can persuade
her to look favorably upon her suitor, the"
ladies go back to their eld life, Tavi-g
--r.>!fb in possession. Molly cbta'ns a sit-"
Cauon as compan!oa at the Chateau i©
la Pcp'nlere. In Normandy. She tiro's
herself in a fine castle, falling into ruins,
R.nd decides that its owner, M. I 3 Baron
tie Sauvlgny, is cold and forbidding in
the txtre-me.
CHAPTER XTV.
A "VARIETY ENTERTAINMENT."
Beforf | Molly was dressed on the fol
lewing mornintr, theie cr.mo a tap at her
floor, and, on obtaining the reciuisit'i per.
mission, a s-hort, round-cecT, middle
aged woman entered the room, bearing
on a tray a large white cup full of cof
fee, and a buttered roll.
''Mademoiselle's breawfast," announced
this person, who forthwith Introduced
herself as "Justine, maid of Mme. la
cometesse," and expressed her willing
ness to serve "mademoiselle" whenever
the wished it.
"When the coffee and bread an,l butter,
which proved excellent, had been dis
posed of,t Molly canr.e down stairs, won
dering: much when she wos to enter on
hoi now duties. She provided herself
With some s?ewing, and installed herself
under a tree in the garden, in full view
of the window from which M. de Sau
vigny had described her on the preceding
day, rightly supposing that he would call
her wnen her services were required.
In due course she did hear the .sound of
rapid pteps, and raising her eyes, beheld
him proaching.
"My -sister is better this morning." .he
said, after a stiff bow, and a few words
of greeting, "and would like to see you
nov.\"
"I am quite ready," answered Molly,
jumping up and hastily collecting her
working materials. But'the tall, squaie
shouldered figure stood stil! in fior.t of
her. the- face wearing a curious, doubtful
anxious expression that touched her with*
a feeling <>i composure.
"I><> you want to te?l me anything?"
Rh< sild impukively. her usual instinct
t»f helpfulness overcoming the awe with
which this mnn inspired her;'and then
she paused, wondering at her own au
daoity.
But he. was not angry; cm the contrary,
as-lie caught the momentary sympathy
in the pretty blue eyes, a sudden iromo
thing, akin ib gratitude leaped into his
own, speedily lost, however, in their
eustomury gloom. ■ •'
"You are veiy young," he said" aJraoU
querulously.. "I did not expert you to
he so young..'? . : r -.;:.■ v g***% s „-.-,
Molly humbly apologized for the un
den«ab!e fact, but added that she hoped
she was not too young to do her dulV.
'•My sister is very weak and surfers
micl),' said;- the baron, aftor a pause,
'•*and.st is not always easy to entertain
her.' Here he hesitated, gafcing dubi
ously at Molly. "You v.'ill require cour
age and—great patience, Miss Macken
zie."
"I have plenty of courage." sh-5 re
turnc-.1, "and I. don't think I cuild -be'
anything but patient with an hivali<V
."Brave words," commented ■M. de
Sauvi:>ny; taut wiuthcr he intended wbV
. sarcastic or not the ghi could not dL-
cover. Alter another moment's earnest
scrutiny of her" face, he turned shavply
and led the way to the chateau. ..
The countess' room was on the; first
floor, and looked cut on the park. Jus
tine opened the door on hearing them
approach, but closed it wjien th.M? had
entered, carefully replacing- tne -jortier.?.
The xoDm'waa almost unendurab'.y close,
both windows being not only shut, bu'
piped around with india rubber; so .as to
exclude even a chance breath of air- a
small lire burned in the grate, though
the morning sunshine was" suliiciently
overpowering-. In an alcove in the cor
ner stood the bed, curtained round so
that Mmo. la comtesse mij;ht slumber
.Tree from draughts, while the sofa on
which she actually reposed surround
edrby screens. A row of medicine bottles
stood on the chimney piece, nnd two or
thr< c others and a dessert spoon and
vuno glass were arranged on the small
table by her slde< Mme. de Ti . iil!es was
a tall, thin woman, evidently considera
n.y older than her brother; her faded
lace had once been handsome, her largo
eyes oven now possessing a certaic plain
tive beauty, but her palid complexion
and peevish expression counterbalanced
their attractiveness. She wore a loose,
and not particularly clean, pe'gnoir or
grc-y stuff, but her blond hair, which ap
peared unduly abundant, was dressed
with some amount of care, not to say
elaborateness.
M. de Sauvigny introduced Molly, and
then withdrew behind his sister's couch
whence he surveyed the pair with furtive
anxiety.
"! have never hafl a companion before "
remarked Mine, de Treilles, languidly In
French; 'out my brother thinks you may
amuse me. Do you think you can amuse
me?
"1 wili try," said poor Molly, with a
sinking hrart.
"I am so bored," sighed the countess
I urn spleeiiee— splcenee. Oh, la, !a, how
bored l am!"
/'lt must be very dull lying here all
<!•".>. returned Molly, compassionately
BUcn lovely weather, too. Do you never
manage to get out? It would do you
good."'
1 Mademoiselle is right. I ,im sore it
wou'd be a good thing," ur^ed a deen
voice from the corner.
"What dost thou know about it
Raou!." cried his sister, irritably. "Thou
hast never had a day's sickness in thy
life. 1 tell thee it kills me to go out
The i;m time I went out, to please thee,
I coughed-heavens, how I coughed! Did
I noi cough, Justine?"
"Certainly, Mme. la comtesse coughed "
assented Justine, "she coughed every
time she thought of It."
"But what can you do to amuse me?'
askcl Mine, do Treilles, again turning to
Molly.
•ghai; T read lo you?' sugge-sced the
la<ior. diffidently.
"Mo;. Dieu! tliere are no books. I have
already finished those from the library,
HK» ltd WIXCr. ,5-^ Cut this iulont.st- : .>nU!'.ff which '(EWt'VTTB^.fiM. _Jr' ".t «,. »
ggSt ever cutter you wish and we _j lt Yn vd£Sfr ** lfc* D«l!sr y« bought
T. M. ROBERTS' SUPFL^ffoi/sE^U^ft.^^ i
and the fresh supply does not come till
next week."
"Would you like to play cards, then,
or dominots?"' seeing a'bux'of the latter
on the table.
"No," said the countess snappishly. "1
dislike cards, aii»l 1 am tii^d-of - domi
noes. How many games did we play
yesterday, Justine?'' «-*
"Seven, Mme. la coirm sse," responded
the abigail imperturbable.
Molly was at her., wit,'s end,, WJjat oh:
earth was she to do with this' woman?
The task of -provldi»p«>li<*r-*witl» -enter-'
tainment appeared more and more dif
ficult, espcially ais la<'R-lrfsTer eyes
were now half closed, and the whole
face composed into an expression of
deadly lassitude „._, » > *,„ At .
"Je m" ennuie." murmured Mme. de
Treilles, hopelessly. "Je. m', ennuie a.
perir." ;
"Can you not think or' something to
amuse her?". put, in Ka-.u; ini^a.tu-ntly
from his corn< r. v - .
"I*ll sing to- you," «criail*> MotUi.-, des
perately. "Yes, I'll sing—if you don't
like it you can tell me to stop.''
In another moment . the sweet, clear
voice thrilled out througlTHEhe"" room, a
little tremulojus ,ai.. rjttfipming
gradually more assured. ;
Looking up ifct^tteß* aliMt>iigf diei». ditty,
she saw the baron gazing at her withi
an expression""* which she could not
fathom. ■ . ...__ ... r --.. : ■■;■- ;
"Very preftyT* said his sister; "hem,.
Raoul? She sings .well. Sing again, if;
you please, mademoiselle." "
Molly sang again; and again and again,:
Mme. dc Treilles' expressions of satis
faction bdng more and" more 1 animated.;
Finally-she stretched outgone of her pale
hands to h<?r brother^
"My dear Raoul," Fiie said, "what a
good idea thou hast had' I wonder—"
turning to Molly, and examining her.
with pleased curiosity, much as a ehil 1
investigates ;i now to): —"I worider what
else you can do. "Amid you tell mo
anything that would make me laugh?"
Molly, strong up- to the last pitch of
nervous excitement, and keenly conscious
of the dark observant eyes in the cor
ner, felt for a jgornent as if such an
achievement were Beytmd he? strength.
After a pause, however, rallying her
courage, she related the first anecdote
that came into her head, which, to her
great delight had the desired effect. Mine,
la comtcsse did actually laugh; and Jus
tine, standing with folded arms at the
foot of her mistress' couch, cackled long
and noisily; but the baron uttered no
sound, and Molly did not dare to glance
in his direction.
"Go on," paid the countess, a faint
smile lingering- about her mouth, while
her eyes were fixed expectantly on the
new acquisition. And Molly went on. her
face white, her voice trembling, her little
hands pressed tightly together en her
lap. Never in all her life had she been
through such an ordeal. The heat, the
heavy, close atmosphere of the room, the
necessity of speaking in a strange tongue,
rendering the task of being "funny to
order" even more difficult. It speaks well
not only for her spirit and courage, but
for her cleverness, that she did manage
to keep her hearers amused almost half
an hour. Personal reminiscences, scraps
from her favorite authors, odds and ends
of stories that she had picked up she
knew not how; she made such use of
these now as she could, her natural sense
of humor rendering the selections judi
cious, and her delivery being, in its
quaint simplicity, wholly graceful and
charming. Now and then, when the jest
particularly tickled her own fancy, she
would altogether forget "her shyness; the
pretty face would dimple into smiles, the
eyes sparkle with fun: once she. laughed
outright—young, fresh laughter, very de
lightful to hear. But at last she came
to a standstill —"I really can't think of
anything else just now," she observed
deprecating^'.
Mme. de Treilles- pouted, and was about
to remonstrate, when her brother inter
posed. • ■■■:■■■'•
"True, Miss Mackenzie must be tired.
Remember, Madeleine, she has not yet
got over the fatigue of her long j-ourney."
"She has been here, since yesterday—"
"Yes, only since yesterday; she nfeds
rest. She would now like a turn in the
fresh air, I daresay."
Before Molly had; recovered from her
astonishment at this unexpected proof of
consideration, M. de Saiivigny rose, cross
ed the room, and. opened the .door, gaz
ing at her meaningly, as though advis
ing her to make her escape forthwith.
But Mme. de Treilles caught at her
skirts as she passed.
"You will make me laugh again to
morrow, will you not?" she said, clinging
to her with long frail fingers.
"Yes," answered the poor child, gently
disengaging herself*- and slipping away
hastily, lest her trembling lips and tear
ful eyes might auger ill/ for the-unexpect
ed entertainment.
"I really think,'" she said to herself
when the cool garden breezes were fan
ning her temples, and tho tra'nquility of
her surroundings, had sym^yhat .calmed
her nerves, "I really think this is the
hardest work T could have
To play the buffoon for hours at a time,
to hold myself in readiness- to' conduct
a sort of 'variety entertainment' at any
given moment, is~ srather more than I
bargained fcr. I think I shall earn my
twenty pounds."
CHAPTER XV.
A PEEP AT "THE LADIES' JEV\'EL."
Molly soon found that If in scmo ways
her post was no sir.ecure, a great deal ol!
time nevertheless hung heavily :on her
hands; She rarely saw M. de Sauvigny,
who spent most of his time iir. the tur
ret room from which he had first e3pi;d
her. a sort of office' study, Vfry com
fortless and untidy—as sheperceived one
day when she passed the open door—lit,
terod with papers, and with a .great desk
in one of the windows. "When they dii
meet, however, he- was invariable civil,
and during the tete-a-tete dim.ers,' which
she had so' much drea -in ado some
effort to entertain her. ....
The only eve-nt of. any | importance
which took place during the first week of
her stay was a flying visit p.\jd to the
ehactau by the yt>wigr Count de TreiHes,
who -.vas about, as he wrote, to under
take "tin petit voyage 7:!!' agrement,'' and
dutifully came i'.rpt to take leave of his
mother and uncle" "! r:>'1;!". ?. • :'°
Mme. la f.;i ..forthwith ": into
the wildest stat<_- c-f excitement, and ex
tensive preparations- were nrade to re«
ceiyc the distinguished yjtslior. One c.t
the great dingy salons was thrown open,
and the furnjture uncovered an.l pol
ished; Mme.'-de'-Ti'tiUes' <veR discarded
her dressing gown, and finv«vfd.j.n crack'
lin^v silk wandered up and down between
the windows and the fire-place oi the
above named room, for at least an hour
before his arrival.
'l^ook, look. Mademoiselle," she cried
as at last the sour>3 oE'v.ho s was'hear-3
and a hired carriage drove up .to the
house, "Come to the windcw. and 1.. 0 k at
my son. See,-he-is Iwuitisciuc—>s- he not?
It is no wonder that he is the idol of
Parisian society; 'Le ■-Rijc-n Ylos Darner •
as they call him. Ah, 'he. is lookjntr i;p
he gees me. BorijouV," G'a'fton'-' bo-iiour'
darling." • "'
In another minute or two he was in ihe
room, and kissing his mother tenderly on
both, cheeks, subsequently submitting to
bo embraced - and- wept over for about
five minutes, while ho surreptitiously
took stock of M6!ly- 1 over his '^arent'a
shoulder. .-. ; •,,.■.-.',.»,. ... '/■ ,]
Though not attbgeifi&r an Adoßh, he
THE ST. PAUI, GI,OBB, MONDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1900.
was certainly a go id-looking youn;? man;
blue-eyed and fair-haired, with a mobile
expressive face, and a pleasant smile
displaying- exceedingly white teeth. He
was of medium height, flight and erect,,
and was dressed well, but without fop
pishness.
After a few minutes Molly made her
escape, feeling herself "de trop" in this
reunion, and went out to the garden,
whither, however, to he.r surprise, M,
Gnftoit followed her in about half an
hour.
"My mother is fatigued," he remarked,
"and 1 have peisuaded her to lie down
till dinner time. I come to breathe the
fresh air—oh, the delightful punty and
sweetness of this country air! How it
invigorates one! How it calms and re
'.'rcsiies one after the heated atmosphere
of town."
For some time he walked up and down
beside her. praising the trees, the sing
ing birds, the scent of the flowers, in his
delightful Parisian French, which Molly
found very pleasant to hear, though,
from its apparent redundancy of r's, and
the great rapidity with which it was spok
en, she missed the gist of a remark,
and he obligingly repeated it for her, •
with an apology for bei::g unable to talk j
in her native tongue.
"My uncle speaks English very well, 1 j
believe, does he not?" he added. "But |
then he was educated in England, and !
for two or three years was attache de J
legation in Ijondon." .
"Was he?" cried Molly, amazed.
"What, did you not know, mademoi
selle? My uncle was brought up to be a
MORE THAN HE BARGAINED FOR.
■■•*■' • f A W: #■/■■'. %
Penelope—l've been abroad so long; tell me, whom did Jack marry?
Gladys—He married Maude Jones, her mother, father, a maiden aunt and a
Maltese cat.
diplomatist, and, had ho persevered,
would probably be now ambassador <-x
traordinary, or minister plenipotentiary
somewhere or another; out circumstances
arose—ah, you did not know? 1 am sur
prised."
"No, I had not heard."
"Ter.ez!" said Gaston, whoso quick,
glance had been sweeping the frontal pi
the house, "there is justement our 61
--plomatist at the window." He wafted
an airy kiss from his finger tips to the
baron,"who responded with a grave nod,
and remained surveying the couple with
an intentness which Molly found em
barrassing.
"Ah, you had not. heard that my uncle
had been in diplomacy?" repeated M. de
Treilles "and you did not guess, made
moiselle? That astonishes me. 1 should
have said the fact accuse! itself. Only
to lock at him, for example—turning his
head on one side and glancing critically
at the figure in the window—'cc petit a r
vif et eveille qu'il a, and then"—as his
relative, with a final frown, "jerked down
the window and turned away—"those in
sinuating manners."
Molly could not help laughing, and yet
the speech jarred upon her. At dinner,
however, she was obliged to admire the
gayety and good humor which M. de
Treilles preserved under somewhat try
ing circumstances. Never had Molly
seen the baron in so unpleasant a mood;
his face wore its most "kiU-.ioy"' expres
sion, his manner was absolutely bearish,
and pave to laugh sardonically to himself,
cr to gibe at his nephew, he did not open
his lips. Meanwhile the latter prattled
and laughed, was affectionate to his
mother, entertaining to Molly, imperU'iV
ably serene towards Raoul. Molly was
both amused and attracted; there was
something about this young sprig of no
bility; he had a quaint and piquant way
of saying things, and his very mirth w;j"s
infectious.
"So thou art going away?" said Jlrr.o.
de .Treilles, all at once, with a little pout
that might have been fascinating en less
elderly lip?. 'Thou art about to lrave
us. naughty boy? And whither art thou
going?"
"Ah, little mother, my ideas are of tha
vaguest. Geography is a study that I
never could master. For me the globe
is divided into two parts. Pads—and the
rest of the world. I quit the on?, and
the other is before me."
"Perhaps by a little your mem
ory may improve,' sneered M. de Sau
vigny. "Who knows? You may even
recollect the existence of an obscure for
eign resort called Homburg.'
"Ah, who knows?" repeated G^on,
lightly. "Now that you mention it, my
uncle, I verily do remember there is such
a place."
"It is possible that you may revisit it?"
"As you say.' returned G:i«ton, bland
ly. 'it is quite possible."
"Ilomburg is a charming place,'* said
Mme. de Treilles, dreamily. "I have
been there formerly. It is a place where
one amuses oneself well—when one has
plenty of money."
"It Is easy to amuse oneself an> \vlie;»,
and under any circumstances, if one sets
about, it in the right way," remarked
her sen, oracularly.
"As to money—that is doubtless a good
thing in itself, but one can do Without
it."
"Dame!" said the baron, ro suddenly,
not to say violently, as to make this ex
pletive, in itself sufficiently innocent,
sound as naughty as its English syno
nym.
"Oh, I assure you," pursued Gaston.
serenely addressing himself to the re
doubtable Crouquemitaine. "It is a most
mistaken idea to suppose that riches help
one to get on In the world. Mm Dieu!
so many people are rich now-a-days ea
n'a plus de cachet. Poverty is respecta
ble—up to a certain point.'
"I quite agree with you—up to a cer
tain point," returned his uncle, severely
"When that limit is passed, not only
does one cease to ba respectable, but one
loses one's self respect."
'.'Well said." cried the young man, ad
miringly. "Very prettily said; eh, moth
er? Do you not think so, madamoiselle?
But he is a Demothenes, my uncle."
He gently clapped his hands, still gaz
ing at M. de Sauvigny with an expression
of innocent satisfaction, while the latter
looked for a moment as if it wou'd have
afforded him the keenest pleasure to
have rapped him on the head. -■
Early on the following day Gaston left
the chateau, being obliged, as he said
to return to Paris to finish his prepara
tions for departure.
Mme. de Treilles, after an affectionate
and .tearful-farewell—postj^oning- her hys
terics, however, till a more convenient
moment—betook herself to v:the window,
so as to see th^t^t of him. : . %
"Ah; mon Dieu," she cried all at once,
as the young man emrged on the steps of
the portico,' "I forgot to tell him to write
to me at once- when he reached his des
tination. • What shall I do? Unfortunate
woman that I am, l shall die with anxl- i
ety." . ,
"Open the window and call out to him,"
suggested Molly. - -
'•Heavens! do you .want to. kill me,'
mademoiselle? No-t-run down to him—
there is yet —run quickly, and tell
him- I- beseech oif him to write 1- immedi
ately." , , . .
The girl flew immediately■ down j stairs,
hut paused aa she 'reached .the 'portico,;
for. M. de Sauvlgny was- there eariiestly.
talking to Gaston. ■ - • • — \
"My dear -uncle, you really fecm '«. to'
have poor opinioni'of my discretion,*';
the latter was saying, Just as Molly ctinie
up. • . . : . --. ,
"I do not reproach-,you,'.' returned the
latter, hurriedly, "and 1 do not appeal to
you. 1 know it : would be useless. L?ut
I wish to remind you that all things
have an end. You 'understand?'.'
"Certainly;. I understand perfectly,"
said the young may calmly: -:
"Ah, mademoiselle,' 1 removing his hat
and turning to Molly, "do you wish to
speak to me?" . !
She gave her m«SSft#e and received the
assurance of his obedience; then st.-.nui.ig
"beside M. de Sauvigny. watched <Ja ion
as he got into the carriage. - : . ■ •■ ri
"Good-bye, ch.rished little mother." he
cried, waving' his hand to the forlorn,
looking figure in the upper window. "Au
revoir, mademoiselle.- Uncle, .will you
not wish me bon voyage?"
: lie turned, t with his : bright, - -engaging
smile, and extene«aL f hands to Rapul:
v.'ho, to Molly's sur-nrise, "stepped quHrkly
up to the carriage, cCaspod ■ them .warmly.
y "All good wis'iies go with-. Thee,"
said huskily. , ,
This was the first time that Molly had- 1
heard him drop the more formal, "vous^
in sptabing"- -to. his ' nephew, ; and . she
glanced up in »me surprisei:: But .he
stepped past -her - without «nothor
word, and re-entered• th-e house even- be
fore the vehicle started. ■■•■-■ --■ •■ ' ;
CHAPTER XVI.
A LITTLE GARDENING.
After its transitory gleam of excitment,
the chateau returned to its normal condi
tion, and had it not been that . Mine, de
Treilles was a -trifle more exacting and
her brother more pre- occupied sines Gt.s-J
ton's visit, everything seemed exactly" t'r.e
same as before. . ' .-•■ ; ■ -
Notwithstanding the various avocations
which Molly had maiked out for herself,.
she was still- often at a loss for employ
ment, and therefore--regarded as little
short of an inspirat'on the' idea whijTh
struck her one day, that she might.devote
sonio of her spare time to the improve
ment of the garden. Accordingly, the
next time she met'M. de Sauvigny, slit;
asked him if he would object to her do
ing "a little gardening" .now = and then.
He looked astonished, arid after a mo
ment rather annoyed. :,..; '■ ■-..-•: : . ; 
"I will tell you candidly," he said, with
an impatient sigh, "that I cannot afford
to buy plants or to pay for. labor." -.
"No," returned Molly, a little t\ke:i
aback by the seeming ungraciousn
"but you might allow me.to work. 1
could trim the roses and tie up the lilies,
and weed some of the borders." ■•' ;■; ■-..'
"You are very energetic," he said, with
actually a smile. , . : . . „ ■-
"I don't like to be. idle," returned oi
ly. "Well"—peeping,- shyly up. at him—
"may 1?"
"You may do any mortal thing you like
inside or outside the house," said Raoul.
"I give you cart 2 blanche— hand
pome of me. is it not? Seriously, Miss
Mackenzie, I only wish I could give.you
more substantial aid in carrying out your
reforms." ■ - ....- ; • .
. A little later he came upon her, peichc.l
on a stepladder. hammer in har.d, busily,
occupied in nailinir . up. one of the . wild,
willful, over-luxuiiant rose trees, .AVhich,
with its wealth of blossom, was detached
from the house- wall. Her Eaiioc hat lay
at her feet, her supply of nails nr.d scraps
of cloth being stored inside. Her head,
with its ruflied bronzi tresses, was turn
ed a little to one side, her Jips partad .n
eagerness, while she worked away &3 if
! for dear life, hammering her lingers.quit-?;
as often a.s the nail?, but making up for
all want of skill by an immense amount
of good will. - , " „
She was so intont < n her tark that she
did not &cc M. de Sauvi?ny, who ttood
for ■ some moments watching her wi h
much amusement. Presently .he 'move.!
on, . Btttl unperceived by - her. but p&uaed
again at the end of a- few-paces. . it wa^
a shame to be idle -while .that girl was
working so hard to improve his property.
"Can:l help you?" be said suddenly, re
turning to the foot of Molly's ladder.
She looked up, startled; but. seeing Ihe
laughter in Raoul's eyes, began to laugh
too.
'What a lovely little creature she'is,"
he thought, with sudden amazed admira
tion.
The fact had never struck him in t'r.e
same way before; he : had noticed her
beauty, 'as he had noticed her youth,
at first with a certain irritation, consid
ering both to be drawbacks . under the
circumstances. Finding, however, : that
neither unfitted her- for her duties, -lie
,<gaa>. Aon fin FUR $17.95
| Jou.ull OVE F R O C R °*T $17.95
■J|J||k : smm koc money.
MO* WL Send U8 your order for this In)
fiiP&3ll§S§g& polled JRusaian Buffalo C'alfokia
BKBfjFSSSTyJETgL' ' Overca»t. We will eend you this
r BSilililiil oredcoat. C. O. D. subjet G- fo eix&a
. jpap6S-»yrSs^Sa^ »een.uSend na your.chest mew
-^^ygw^^f ■ UfgMMft'takea. over ordinary cf at
J^^fflP' alrtistate height 3rd weight. If
Tg^^^^Sr . the ooat suits you and la a good
■ m&Biß&tm '■'■ »*r'«B«3:ouare convinced of the
■-' BfflfetflßßM ,'. bavgate it really Is at 817.95
ntjygMgßn -"; payitho express ngent'cur price
'*"^mb9' - «naipxprc33 chargea..'and the ooat
iBwRiffSBBM toj"«i:rs. Our fm> coats are war-
BaggHMßft,' . raatedttaot to Hp'anfi.vlHjwear
.-.. KStnnra«\ machl*ettcr ar.d good deal
* S^h|> lonjre^?nan any other coat made.
Elsf£i£&Esß -:.-AH our'co&ts are heavily; intsr-
' lined except in pleeves. - You wili
f^g^^^^gp ■ find this coat ju«t the thing for
nKnfewri^ this Northwest; the best ooet In
I^Eej ; the market. If interested in ether"
I?§J<39L lines of Coats, Fur Coats or Ulsters
£r- ..'"*'.•->.•.•-. send for our Special CatalojtneM of
9t Clothing:, Duck Coats, Herders' Ulsters, Mackintoshes,-
ItC Address, ■ ■ ' •;■;■;.--■.- 7V. - ■
T.M.ROBERTS^SUPPLY HOUSE.
MINNEAPOLIS, MINN.
emT7rtTr»ri-{iiiiMiiiir.iniiiiiTni:i:iiiiHiii"'';^M'"n;Hiiiiiiirn:iiiirulHmrßiaßa
J^^etablcPrcparatioiiforAs- m
similating theTcodandEeguta- 9
ting ih&StonuichsßDdßoweis of
•mm^m^mmn • Mil mi ■ '
I^oinoleslsigesUoii^Cfa2crful- ■
! ness andHestContalns neither 9 :
Opium .Mo rphine nor Mm&Tcil. 11
Not Narcotic. IS
lttti'co/OidIIrS.^MUELPJTUSER J&
ALKJamm * \ Mi
fM*U«&db- f
i&z&\ . I Hi
J f&pej ihi Sim -%
WimSted - i I
■tien&d Sugar . V I
| A perfect Remedy for Constipa- B
| | lion. Sour Stoinach.Diarrhoca, iS
: Worms .Convulsions.Feverish- :||
% nessaiidl/OSS OF SLEEP* «.
| TCc Simile Signature of ''M
■! ■-?• ■: : - H
;■: L If
EXACT COPY OF WRAPPER. i'fi
U'WWWiy^ imi nil i i i^tfffflß^^
had grown u> tolerate them, but had
certainly not thought more highly of her
on account of them. Xow, however, as
she looked down on him from the top
of her ladder, with the bright eyes
dancing, and that pretty warm flush on
her cheeks; when the little white teeth
dashed out. and unexpected dimples were
made manifest i.s she laughed, her young
loveliness impressed him altogether dif
ferently. It struck him, first of all. with
a certain tender compassion, that it
was a thousand pities for a creature of
that mould to he in sm-h a position: and
following swiftly upon this unselfish
thought, came another, less admirable,
but quite natural too—so natural in fact,
and so ouman. that Raoul, for many
years unused to anything of the kind,
was confounded.
"Take what you can get." it was
suggested to him; "not much comes in
A our way. Here is something beautiful
that you may look at as much a^ you
will; a yqjjng, bright companionship that
you may enjoy; a sweet, innocent na
ture that, you may admire. This is un
expected goou" luck for you; make the
mo3t of it."'
• For a moment he felt Quite agitated,
put bring accustomed to control himself
bftrayed the fact by no sign, and pres
ently repeated his question in • gentle
tones. - ■
"I think," said Molly, considering a!
little, .' I can manage this better" by
myself; but if you would like to do some
weeding; that would be a very good
thing." m ■;
Ranui promptly went down on his knees '
and began to pull up hnndfuls of ground
sel. . rt Molly continued her hammering;
I and Ourson, after a pause of astonish
l-ment, endeavored Co cio a little garden-"
Ing:, on nls own. account, first scratch
11.ST h huge hole In the border, and then
lying down in the middle of the lilies.
After a time one portion of her task
was. finished, and, jumping to the ground
she prepared to move her ladder a little
further on; but Raoul . rose, and shoul
dered it before she could do so. . ■ . ,- ;
."Surely," he said, smiling, "you have•!
done enough for one day. You should
rest now." . ' '■
"I will rest iust a little,. and then I
ir.u=t go on again. There is, such a lot
.to do—it will take a long, long time to
m;;ke even one border tidy."
Raoul put down his, ladder and follow
ed Molly to her favorite seat under the
j .tree. "What does it matter after ar?"
; he said bitterly. ... "The garden is only in
i Keeping with the rest or the place." *
! "But it can be improved," sal« 3 the
I girl, energetically. "There is no reason
I •why it sriouldn't be. xou'lt =ec how
much nicer it will be when I've done with
■ ■ \-Re<ir.y, you are "very "good," remarked
M. de Sauvigny, gazing at her curiously.
"I don't know why you should take so
much trouble."' . .
. - "Perhaps I, ani- too officious," she re
j turned, her sensitiveness quick to tak°'
alarm; "but the fact is 1 cant bear to
| see anything going wreng tnat 1 can set
ri?ht." , ' '
M. de Sauvi.eny smiled; in all ur.cort
! sciousnet-s Molly's little speech drew at
; tention to her most salient character
! istic. It was her helpfulness which was,
more noticeable in her than all else.
~ "One can-but do one's best," she saH,
mistaking the meaning of Raoul's smile
'.'There- is some satisfaction In trying,
even if one doesn't succeed."
"" "So 1 used to think once—long ago; but
T have failed so often that now I try no
more. When everything' goes wrong,
when all one's endeavors come to nothing
there is no use in struggling— give
( it up." ' '
After a pause she suggested a ttturii
I to work.
'.No," cried M. de Sauvigny, " have a
little pity. When you are so industrious
I I a«u forced for very shame to be so
too,', and it is pleasant here under the
I tree. So "pleasant, indeed, and so peace
j ful that i don't believe that the interval
under any circumstances could last long—
| for me-. So 1 am anxious to make ihe
! most ol it."
- Almost as he spoke the sound of slow,
I dragging footsteps made them start
1 fvndlouK around, while Ourson uttered
I a long-, low growl of warning..
I •"A. pale-faced, sad-locking womtn, dress
! Ed ill rusty biack, was slowly approach
: ing. She. paused when she reached ii c
; tree under v.lnch they sat, and stretciied
; out her bauds, gazing pleadingly at
I Raqul. but saying nothing.
j TLis -face c'ouded over, and he mutLered
■impatiently—"Already!" then turning to
I Molly— "I told you it could not last.
| Weil." he said shaply to the woman,
; "what do you want?" -
"M. le Baron knows me. dons he not?
i The widow Valette, from Vauxmoneour.
M. le Baron has already been good to me,
and so often! he has never forgotten that
. I was. born in the village here, that we
were even playmates as children. Now,'
I have walked all the way from the town
to ask M. le Baron to help, me."
She paused, looking appealingly at him,
but his eyes were bent on the . ground,
| and he did not speak.
j "M. le Baron, . 1 have had so ir.u?h
j trouble; my son has been ill so long—he
is even now in the hospital—and limes
I are bad. One wants little, hut one must
live, and the money that* should have
paid for our lodgings, M. le Baron, it is
gone—the children have eaten it, and the
proprietor will sell our poor bits, of furni
ture and put us out in the street, if we
cannot pay him tomorrow. ' Our: rent
comes to a hundred francs—a big sum,
M. le Baron, and 1 am almost penniless."
"T am sorry for you," sa:d Raoul,
coldly. ■ . ,
"M.'_ le Baron, will you help me?"' Phe
drew a step nearer and clasped her worn
hands.
"I cannot," he returned irritably.
"Where do you expect me to find a hun
dred francs at a moment's notice?"
"Oh, nay good sir, have pity. Think a
little. My son, who is in the hospital,
and my helpless children"—
"It is useless. I tell you, my poor wom
an, I have not got the money."
He rose, and made as if he would pass
her. but she clung desperately to his
coat arid wept bitterly, still entreating
him to have mercy, refusing to believe
that he could not help her. AH at once
Molly saw his hand move Quickly to his
waistcoat pocket, but as cjuickly drop
ag-aln; and then for the first time noticed
that his watch was gone.
"I tell you I have nothing for yon —
nothing." he repeated. "If I could help
It I would mt refuse you. Go—you are
The Kind Ton Have Always Bought, ana which has bsea
in use for over 30 years, has born© the signature of
Sjjf */& '— 9 and iias been mad© tinder his per-
C^iz^Jy^^r^A/' 80nal supervision sine© its infancy.
* ** *'*><*>g*wk Allow no one to deceive you in this.
/ All Counterfeits, Imitations and "Just-as-good" are bu*
Experiments that trifle with and endanger th© health of
- Isrfants. and Experience against Experiment.
What is CASTORIA
Castoria is a harmless" substitute for Castor Oil, Paro
goric, Brops and Soothing Syrups. It is Pleasant. It
contains neither Opium, Morphine nor other Narcotic
substance. Its age is its guarantee. It destroys Worms
and allays Feverishness. It cures Diarrhoea and "Wind '
Colic. It relieves Teething Troubles, cures Constipation,
and Flatulency. It assimilates the Food, regulates the
Stomach and Bowels, giving healthy and natural sleep.
The CMldren's Panacea—The Mother's Friend.
GENUINE CASTORIA ALWAYS
yp Bears the Signature of
The Kind You toe Always Bought
In Use For Over 30 Years.
THE CENT»UH COMPANY. 77 MURRAY STREET. NEW VORR CITY.
losing time'here, and it is useless to ask
lor what cannot be given."
Molly rummaged in her little purse, but
could only find a few francs. Thcs?,
however, she managed.to press into the
poor woman's hand unseen by the baron,
who had resolutely turned his back as if
to end the discussion.
Slowly 1 and sorrowfully the unfortunate
creature moved away, with many a I ack
ward glance, as though hoping he would
call her back, ...
At last the 'shuffling' steps were no long
er heard, and. Raoul turned around again,
gazing long in the direction in which she
had disappeared. All at once ho -truck
his heel sharply on the ground, and
clenched bis hands, , .
'Accursed poverty,". he said.
-: ■ .-i -. (To Be Continued.)
Copyright in the United States by A. T.
Pierce. •••• ■- <••• ■■ ■ : ■',
BENT AND CRIPPLED
[By Hlioimintisin, Ex-f)n)preit.s En
uenie la I^ivinjr in FnjilaiMl.
Letter in -Cliicagb'tlet-crd:- "
I _The description giv?n of the life of cx
i Empress • Eugenic by one who saw ibr
1 lately is pathetic to a degree. Her home,
| arnborough, a little village in Surrey, Is
j so hidden ajnpn.er ti;ees. that the house is
I absolutely invisibfe to ihe passer-by. The
mistress of Farnborough, a sad, white
, . haired' woman, bent find r crippled with
i rneumatism, spends most of her tim« in
prayer. She Is too infirm now to sit in
j the sanctuary ot the big while church
! near the mausoleum she had built and
j under which are two large sarcophagi in
red'granite, laden- with %reaths of inn
morteues, e.ich wreath bearing- a card on
which a royal autograph is se?n She haa
! endowed and entirely supports the mon-
I astery. Three black-robed Benedic^ne
monks pray .constantly for. the soul-! of
Napoleon an4"the." prince; imperial. The
anniversary of the' death of ihe.-ycun?
i prince imperial isa day of broken-heart
ed sorrow to the empress, who in.lecd
j mourns her double loss every hour of her
! sad life, tjer face is the s-adde:-t one ca.i
| possibly imagine. Always^ even in the
i zenith of her power, a clnuitably disposed
; woman, she is now d universal' "banefac
i tress to the poor with!n her range. Even
i those who cannot be classed iii this cat
j egory feel the power, of her intense sym
! pathy when trouble comes near their
; dwellings. The empr^.- drive- i.i the
! plainest of black broughams, her serv
i ants being always in deep mouvning, and
before her health became so utterly bro
ken the carriage was very often seen
standing at a cottage door.
Christmas and >\ew Years' Exear
s!om- Rotes Via >Tlie ''Xorlli-"West
ern Line. , .., .
Very Jow rates to all points within 2CO
miles of Minneapolis, atitl St. >">aul.
Tickets on sale December 24-25-'sl. Jan
lary lst;"£dod- returnfngJahuary 2nd, and
on all the fine, fast trains of lhe North-
Western.. Line. **■■< miioo ■• •• ■
City ticket offices: 413 N.leollet Aye..
Minneapolis. ;.Minn.,- 352 -Robert St., St.
Paul, Minn.
Went Around tke S»»ot.
London King-.
Before Bismarck reconstructed tho map
of Europe and made a unitej Germany,
a dozen little principalities used to annoy
travelers by stopping them at th?ir front
iers until-they had satisfied the custom
house demands. A Yankee once had hi
carriage stopped ..at the frontier of a pet
ty nrince's country. The Herr Ober, con
troleur, at the custom, ho.use, cwme for
ward, and, much to his inJijnafon, was
received in a nonchalant way. The Yan
kee was ungentlema'nly , enough not to
get out of his carriage or even' to take o'ct
his hat. The Herr Ober sharply demand
ed the keyof the ..tourist's. trunks, which
his subordinate began handling roughly.
"Here, hands off," shouted the Yankje.
"I didn't come from the United States of
America to be controlled by you. Put
those trunks back. I'll not 2:0 through
you at all. 11l turn back. Tin in no
hurry and don't care for losing- a day.
You're no .country. ..You're only a spot.
I'll go around you." And he did.
... ■ .■ -r~ —.;..,. i —,_ m rr- .
Teaeliera and Students' Holiday
"\ '" " Rates. ' '
Spend the Holidays at home. Fare and
one-third for the round trip to all points
on the' Soo Line. Ticket office, 370 fiobei t
street. _
Soo Line Holiday Kates to Canadian
Points.
.One fare for the round trip via the Soo
Line to points in Eastern Canada. Ticket
office. 379 Robert street. " '
ANNOUNCEMENTS. . *
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN THAT
the partnership heretofore existing be
tween W. A. Fcnda and Robert Pedcr
son, under the firm name of Fonda &
Pederson,..was. dissolved by mutual con
- sent Dec. 15, 1900. W. A. Fonda assumes
and will i pay all the liabilities of said
firm and will collect and receipt for all
sums.due said firm. .
DEATHS
P.ICHESON—In St. .Paul, Minn., Dec. IC,
3£Oo, at family residence, No. 691 Dayton
ay., Anna. M.. daughter of William and |
Anna G. Richeson^ aged thirty years.
Notice of funeral hereafter.
DRUM—In St. Paul, Saturday., Dec. 15,
at late,residence, 510 Topping St.; Cath
erine E., aged forty-five years, widow
of the late Patrick H. Drum, Funeral
at 8:30 a. m, Tuesday, Dec. 18. Services
at St. Vincent's church at 9 o'clock.
Duluth papers please copy. -
GODBOUT—In . St. Pftai, Dec. 15, 1900, at
; his residence, 266 Page St., Agwer God
bout, aged" for-ty-dtie years. . Funeral
from residence today, Monday, Dec. 17,
. at 9:30 -a. m.- Service -at St. Louis
church at 10. ; Interment at Calvary
. cemetery. ' *,v-^—...■-•—-•-; •
SCHORN—Henry, at his home, G93 Ravine
- st.;"Sunday-;Pec 16, agid forty- years.
Notice of funeral later.
Clieap Excursions to Canadian, New
England and Eastern Point*
For the holidays. Tickets are on salo
Dec. 13th to 23rd. Return limit Jan. cth
For rates and particulars call at tho
Wisconsin Central City Ticket Ollice, 373
Robert street.
HERMAN BROWN,
...... Passenger Agent.
AMUSEMENTS.
HETBOPSLITaa} Lessee & .V.anix;.-.
TONIGHT | SJiE*.. 50c
Tl/Vl mURF»HY
Assisted by the Sol ISmith Russe] Company In.
A BACHELOR'S ROMANCE
By Fermlssion Jerries Neil!.
Evening Prices—2sc, 50c, 75c, $1.00.
Thursday. "Shore Acres] 1
Nsxt Week, Chas. Frohman's "The LittleMinisier'
6RAMD nc j s j^ s j]j Company In
A Hit that "AN AMERICAN
PITI7PN "
Rings True MaMne ,^«?«.
Thursday and Friday Nights.."A Parisian Romance"
Saturday Matinee and Night ■•:.: "Arls;ocracy"
Next Week—"A Trip to Chinatov/r>."
STAR THEATER '{{*«»«.
Da 1 Iv
.. ALL \A/EEK. i •• at -2-39
CITY SPORTS
BURLESQUERS. We
I See the Female Basket Ball Contest.' and
Next Week- ■- ■-• ■. '■ i - 4 ■
' < THE ISni.4 MAIDEXS'' <KLfC
FREE LECTURE
I WlC§P^k PEOPLE'S CHU2CH
%f V F.-es Lecture by Mrs. O. S. Fowler,
V ~* "The Unveiling of.he Njw Ccven.nt
and the Attributesof Cod In Man. " Dec. 1 7, 8 p. m.,
to all. Phrenological examinations and health con
sultations dti'.y iX Windsor Hotel untii De:. 24.
Classes taught to cure disease by electricity begin
ningDac. 19. 2:30 ani 7:30 p. m. same day. ' ..
THE EMPIRE THEATER,
Corner Third and Wabasha. •= ■■■
.' Tha American- European Novs'.ty ccmpany, just
from Chicago, as the chief attraction this week.
A. WEINHOLZER. Haiazer.
!] ' : THE i ' .
N. W. LIFE ASS'N
Of Minneapolis*
This is a Home Institution.
I A Minnesota Company,
i Me Pay Our Claims Promptly and in Full.
I Over $1,200,000.00 to Beneficiaries.
■— ——— ■' -
Euslress written to date this year Four >
ijndjCij^HdtjJil^s; v
i DR. J. F. FORCE. JAMES QLIRK. !'
President. Treasurer. ('
WALL. CAMPBELL. C. O. FORCE. <
Vice President. Secretary. %
322-324 Hennonin Ay. \
. ■ ■: .. ■ ■ ■ . -. . (
BUY THE G^imkE^
... MAITUFACTURBD BY ...
CALIFORNIA FIG SYRUP CO.
SOTS THE TV ME.
NEW \ PRICES REASONABLE.^
|• n • 111 « | /.Cot dstails befors ofjerlng"; i'
mAnLt \ Mad* only b7 <!
< HAHLE WAGON CO. : (,
Delivery ) sth * oiiv« su.. S:. Paul ]•
SLEIGHS. IPFe^paWE
.——■ , . —
AMATEUR PHOTOGRAPHERS.
If you use for paper p!ate.s or films
Universal Developer and also the 'J.'ten
Hypo Fixing Bath lr.ade only by
Picture maki! will be .plolrs-,:>rtiirng: and
your worfc will l>e coraiJMindetJ. For: .sale
in every city of the United Stages.
_,
BROWN'S WPSULESSp^I^