Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1862-12-06
The King coughed and looked guilty.

me
"Why should you c8re ?"
because love him." answered Lydonie
innocent!y.
"Love him %
ooh SO dearly that is why I married
hims | had loved him from the moment
first beheld him. And now that I am his
wife, he will not look at me-
Lydonie burst into a food Of tears, and
sank upon the sofa.
The King pitied her sincerely, but what
could he do ? He had forced his son to
marry her, but he could not force him to
love her.
He thought of the Bastile. It would not
make him love his wife to send HIM there.
"Well well,' he said 'syou are his wife.
| will make him Duke, and I dare say
you'll find him home before morning"
With these words the King withdrew.
Lydonie was left alone with her sorrow.
But she was not one to droop long. She
soon dried her tears, and looked all the
| better f them, like rose after a shower,
Her old nurse came in, and together they
inspected her new home, which Lydonie
found entirely to her satisfaction.
The count did not come home that night.
A week passed by and he did not make
his appearance Lydonie came to the
conclusion that he never would come
She knew it was useless to appeal to the
King. He had made Franche Compte a
Duke, but he could do nothing for her.
She determined to ascertain what her
husband was about.
She dispatched trusty servant for in
telligence, and, like all wives who placed
a spy upon their husbands movements, she
was not at all pleased with the news she
| IT ceiVed.
The Duke was plunging into ali kinds
of dissipation. He was making love to all
| the pretty daughters of the shopkeepers
| in the Rue St Antoine.
In tact, for newly married man, his
conduct was shameful.
To leave me to run after such can
| a!Ue !" exclaimed Lydonie.
She paused Suddenly. An idea had en-
tered her brain. She determined to act
upon it.
While she is meditating upon it, let Us
see what the Duke was about.
One plight, about eight days alter his
marriage, the Duke, plainly attired, and
mutlled in a cloak, roamed through the
Fanbourg st. Antoine, as was his wont,
in quest of adventures.
As he turned the corner of one of those
narrow lanes that intersected that quarter
at that period, a piercing shrek burst up
on his ear, mingled with suffocating cries
tor assistance.
The Dukes sword was out in an in.
slant. He was brave and rash. Without
moments thought he plunged into the
lane.
He beheld female struggling in the
grasp of a man.
The man fled precipitately at his ap-
proach, and the girl sank into his arms,
eonvulsively e1claimiug:
Save me, oh, save me "
The Duke sEeathed his sword and en-.
deavored to calm her fears
He LED her beneath the lamp that SWING
at the corner.
why you are perfect little beauty |"
he cried rapturously, and in surprise.
The girl cast down her eyes and blushed
deeply, and the duke felt the little hand
that rested upon lis arm tremble. But
she did not seem displeased.
/" Do you reside in Paris ~
Yes; but we have only been here a
short tlme-we came from Bellville-
mother and l."
"Fron the country, hey2-Where do
you live, my pretty blossom 2"
{" In the Rue St. Helene"
"Why, that is some distance from here.
viii you not permit me to escort you
home? These streets are dangerous, as
you have found, to one as beautiful as you
are.'
g. would like to have you see me home
very much-it-if-"
She paused and appeared confused.
eff what?" asked the Duke eagerly.
I" If you would only be so good as to
promise not Toto try.-to-kiss me again
If you please, SIR" replied the girl in
nocently.
The Duke was charmed. There was a
simplicity, a freshness about this young
girl which pleased him.
Sc give you my word as a gentlaman,"
he said, frankly, " that no action OF mine
shall displease you, if you accept my es-
cort"
She came to his side and took his arm
with confidence.
: am not afraid OF YOU" she said with
sweet simplicity; ~ know you are too
good to iniure me-"
Tie Duke blushed for the first time n
he could not remember how many years
he knew he was receiving better char
acter than he deserved.
what is your name? 2" he asked, as
they proceeded Cd their way.
s. Bergeronette," she replied.
"What pretty name! And so you live
here in Paris, all alone with your mother 2"
Yes
81 dare say you have plenty of sweet
hearts r.
mo, | haven't one }"
What, no one that loves you?"
None" replied Bergeronette, quite
sadly.
"Would you not like sweetheart2"
"Perhaps."
"1ou must be particular in your choice
or You would have had sweetheart be-
fore now. What k nd of one would you
like now 2"
Those sparkling eyes were lifted to bis
Tor moment.
=" | would like one, if you please, like
lik -
like what?"
Like you!"
"Phewl" thought the Duke, 81 am
getting on here. Now, is this cunning, or
is it slmplicity?'
They walked on for some time in silence
Bergeronette checked The Duke before
little cottage, with garden in front.
There was wicket gate leading into the
garden.
Here is where l live" she said.
She took Eay from bar Cirdlo o,I NJ,