The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-11-18

to no such fraternal distinction, and that
her decision.
evil you let me- manage this affair
myself? l know it is contrary to all
rule, but -"
''Dont apologize, my dear Gabrielle,
for I am only too happy to get rid of the
job. l really did not know what to say
to Jules, and much less did I know what
to write to his father"
That evening, at sign from his daugh-
ter, NJ Melcourt sauntered into room
adjoining the drawing-room, saving APP
pearances by leaving the door open. Then
Gabrielle, who had rehearsed the scene
all day in her own room, turned toward
Jules:
Monsieur Delmar," said she, 81 have
no mother; therefore must you excuse all
that is unusual in what am about to do
Of course you must be aware that know
of the arrangement between our fami-
lies?" -.s
''Of course l imagined you did"
"Well, Monsieur Delmar,. q marriage
between Us is impossible
Impossible You should not have
waited until nOw-now that all my happi-
ness is conferred in you, now that | love
you, to tell me this. But why is our
marriage impossible ?"
because I love another
another ?"
Eyes, and have loved him ever since
was ten years old. "
"Where is he?-why have | never seen
him."
81 have never seen him since was
twelve years old. 1t is my cousin,
Charles Melcourt, whom l love, and he
has been for the last six years in Martini
ique."
"And You have loved him all this time !?
That proves you are capable of fidelity.
Well, go on"
''Thats all. | would have told you
about the moon, but that papa explained
to me that there was difference in the
rising Of the moon here and there We
used to correspond by the moon"
''POetical, but not astronomical.
Monsieur Delmar, you are making fnn
of me-"
81 am treating disease Of the irnagin-
alton. "
"a disease of the ilnsginatlon?"
eyes, your love for Charles is a disease
of the imagination, but if it is the only OBJ
stacle that prevents our marriage, all
can say is, dear Gabrielle, fix the wedding
day
''Then you will be content to take my
hand without my heart
SsI Sho1 kovo haort x,,;M
me, and l shall be your first love, for you
have never loved before. Como dearest
Gabrielle, come fix yourself our wedding
day"
Never :" exclaimed Gabrielle, am
resigned to my fate; l will obey my
father, but never will with my own lips,
pronounce my own doom"
"But You will be my wife-you will
keep the contract made by our two
fathers-will you not?"
81 will sacrifice myself to my fathers
honor" replied Gabrielle, with all the dig
nifty she could assume.
Gabrielle from that hour assumed tie
attitude of sublime victim. Her father
was much concerned, and the threatened
consumption semeel to frigbten him, but
Jules, now mis- ally, laughed away his fears,
appearing not to notice the melancholy,
down-csst looks and the deep signs of his
intended
Gabrielle'sgrief did not prevent her from
paying great attention to her trousseau,
and when the victim was led to the altar
it was at least most admirably adorned.
NJ. Malcourt had made it one of the
conditions of the marriage that the young
couple should reside with him; but Jules,
though he was delighted to remain with
the fine, spirited old man, resolved that
he himself should take charge Of bis wife's
special establishment. A suite of apart
ments was furnished, and though they had
been together but three months, it was
astonishing how well be had OWNED Ga
brielles puculiar tastes and fancies. The
carriage he gave her was one of the pref
test at the Bots de Boulogne; her hus-
band was the most charming companion,
the NEST attentive of lovers; in fact life
was an enchantment, but Gabrielle fought
vigorously against the conviction, and tried
to convince herself that she was not happy.
She resumed her moon gazing and sighed
whenever he was not laughing.
Jules Delmar always allowed his wife
to indulge his caprices, and though some
times on the sharp Partisan winter night
he shivered when she opened the window
to look at the moon, be never made the
slightest observation.
One day Gabrielle sat alone in her bou-
dour trying to recall the perfection of her
first and only love, and finding always her
husbands handsome, intelligent i,npudent
face rise up before her, when her valet
entered the room and announced that a
gentleman wished to see her.
"What is his name?"
MADAME, he did not give his name,
but he told me to tell you that he came
from Martinique