Monsieur Le Baron.

too , that lier poverty troubles , ' Monsieur ;' it has become so old a story with her that she scarcely thinks of it . She Avas Avondering if she could bo the same foolish Celeste AVIIO came smiling and happy to the sunny gardens . " But it was wrong to expect so much , " she said to herself . "I always had so little sense . "

Celeste was a lady , and finding that the Baron had really and truly notliing more to say , she Avould not force herself upon him . Rising , she said steadily , " I must return , Monsieur . I am glad to have seen you . " He Avalked ivitli her till they reached

the busy , noisy streets ; then she stopped . " Have you far to go , Celeste ? Shall I accompany you ?" " No , Monsieur , " she said quietly . He watched lier till the throng hid lier from Ms si ghtthenAvith a sih of relief

; , g , lie turned away . Pity Mm a little ; his disappointment Avas very great . AH these years lie had thought of tlie pretty French girl , with her sparkling eyes and merry laugh , Avho had crept into Ms cold , unimpressionable heart lie scarcelknew

, y IIOAV . He had lived happily enough Avithout lier , it is true , but when Ms father ' s death left him master of Ms OAVH fortune , Ms thoughts had turned tenderly to Ms

early love . HOAV different this wan-faced woman in her poor attire , from the Celeste he had pictured . This was not the Avomau lie had meant to make his wife . His heart did not throb one beat the faster at lier voice .

He Avoidd be very glad to help her , to give her money , but that she Avould not takeonly Ms love , Avhich was beyond Ms control . He had only that day arrived in Paris ; lie Avas lonly and miserable . Hail iug a passing cabriolethe got in . " Take

, me to some place where I can lod"o and be quiet . " The driver looked surprised . " Anywhere T And the Baron slammed the door , and , thiwing himself back on tlie cushions , gave Avay to Ms moody

meditations . The Baron made no objection when Ms cabriolet stopped before one of the oldest houses hi a street—fashionable once , respectable IIOAV , and much frequented by people AVIIO , like himself , Avere fond of rest and retirement . The house Avas let in appartemenh ; ami , fortunately the first floor was vacant . The

Baron Avas easily pleased , and lined the rooms without delay , despatching a man for his servant and luggage ; and Celeste , coming home some hours later , learned to her dismay , AVIIO was the occupant of the empty rooms . " Promise megood Picotpromise me

, , that you Avill not toll Mm that I am hero , " she said , earnestly . , " Who , Madamoiselle ? The Baron ?" and the old man gazed at her in unfeigned surprise . " Oh ! any oneI meanPicot . I AVOUM

, , not be knoAvn . " Then , seeing a look of suspicion daAvning on Ms face , she added : "I have seen better days , Picot , and now—"

" I see , Mademoiselle , I see ; one does not Avant remembrance Avhen one is poor . No one shall knoAV , I promise . " Celeste breathed freely again , for the old man was faitliful , she kneAv . Once in her OAVII room , she sat doAvn to think ovei the marvellous chance , which , in all this

great city , could find but one house wlierohi to place the Baron and herself . Change after change flitted over her face . In fancy she again Avandered Avith him along the shady Avalks in lier uncle ' s garden ; again Ms low Avords of love trembled in her ear ; then came the parting , and tlie tears fell once more at the

remembrance , and . she smiled a little as she recalled Ms promise of a speedy return . Celeste read fe ; v romances ; lier OAVII Avas quite sufficient . On these memories she had lived through all the long years of loneliness . The past Avas her reality ; Avhat had but just occurredthe dream .

, Lost in her reverie , she sat idly gazing into the court-yard . Suddenly a voice she kneAv but too ivell reached her . Springing to her feet , with her heart beating so that she could scarcely hear , she opened lier door and listened .

"Hansel ! Hansel' ? " called the voice , impatiently . " Coming , Iierr Baron , coming . " Then the door Avas shut , and Celeste shrank back , with the look one sometimes sees on the face of a child , Avhen from the outside lie sees tlie joy of those within .

The Baron ' s windows looked upon the garden , so that lie did not see the figure that darted quickly through the gate , in the early morning , nor the gray shadow that stole sAviftly across the court-yard in