Monsieur Le Baron.

MONSIEUR LE BARON .

One afternoon in the early spring a woman Avas sitthig alone on one of the seats bordering a winding Avalk in the Champs Elysees . Tho ah was moist and warm , and the brilliant sunlight poured a flood of golden beauty over her shabby

garments , and worn , tired face . She Avas evidently waiting for some one , for she watched the passers-by Avith eager interest , her hands clasping and unclasping themselves restlessly . Two young men strolling by looked curiously at herbut she was

, not young enough to interest them much , and they passed on with a shrug and half pitying smile . Their careless laughter floated back , and hurt her . How the brilliant equipages flashed and glittered ! Bright eyes were sparklingjewels flashing

, in the sun . The spring wind laughed and frolicked with the leaves , but she saAV none of this , and as the shadoAvs grew longer she sighed a little .

Suddenly her eyes brightened , as a tall figure came down the Avalk—a soldierly man with gray whiskers , and keen blue eyes . He Avas also looking for some one , for lie walked slowl y , glancing from right to left . The woman Avatcbed Mm anxiouslyandas he seemed about to

, , address a pretty girl , AVIIO Avas leading tAvo children by the hand , she placed herself in his Avay . " Monsieur le Baron !" " Celeste !" They stood facing each otherthe Avoman

, Avith her eyes cast doAvn , the man Avith a strange look of doubt and surprised recognition on his face . He spoke Avith a German accent . " I did not loioAv you . I thought—" and Ms folloAved the good-looking

eyes tonne . Celeste looked up surprised . It had been ten , fifteen years since they had met , and yet she kneAv him at once . The silence had been aAvkward . A carnage passed , from Avhich looked a lady resplendent in satin and lace Celeste became

. painfull y conscious of Iter old dress , the faded ribbon on her bonnet , the rent inker poor little shoe . She drew back her foot so as to hide it . Monsieur le Baron pulled his whiskers nervously .

" What are you doing now , Celeste ? The tone Avas cold , Celeste felt it , and her voice faltered . " Teaching , Monsieur . SeAving sometimes . " "Ah !"

Had he nothing more to say , this man of Avhom she had dreamt by day and night since they parted 1 Was it for this that she refused Armand , the notary , Avhea he asked her five years ago to be his Avife ] "What good Avas it that since she had got

his brief letter she had turned her best dress , and oven afforded herself new gloves 1 Despair made her bold . " So you did not knoAv * me , Monsieur 1 " " 11 HOAV could I ? " he said , with a sort of exasperation in Ms tone . "When I left

you , you Avere young and pretty . " He quite forgot Ms own gray hairs ! With a IOAV cry she sMank back as if he had struck her . " You had better sit doAvn , Celeste , " he said , more kindly . She sat doAvn , for she could stand no longer . She had gone Avithout breakfast

that she might buy the little bunch of flowers to put in lier dress . It made her look bright , she thought , and hid an unsightly darn as Avell . The tears Avere washing off the rouge with which she had tried to hide the liolloAvs sorrow and Avant had made in tlie once dimpled cheeks .

She sobbed weakly to herself . The Baron Avatcbed her Avitli a SIOAV impatience kindling in his eyes . " Are you very poor , Celeste f " Tes , Monsieur . " "I had no idea of this , " lie said , with

an aggrieved air . " Tour uncle , the cure , told me before I left that you were provided for . Your father had sisters—Avliy did they not do something ?" " They are dead , Monsieur . " "HI had married you then" lie went

, on , disregarding the interruption , '' I could not have supported you . My father hated your nation , and would not have given me a thaler . He is dead now , and I came back to look for you . " H e found it hard to go on . HOAV could he tell lier that HOAV

that he has found lier lie does not knoAY Avliat to do with her ? Celeste boAved lier head humbly . She is very sorry that lier relatives have been so unreasonable in the way of dying . Sorry ,