Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1864-12-22

eve both love you as our father, we do
not want to leave you; we can love no other
father butyou."
-"The daughter that is not mine has Meth
er father or mother, it is her mothers mother
who claims her. But She viii give her what
cannot giFe-a great name, riches and
position in society far above the one that /
have placed her H. Which of you is it ?" -
Jeanne and Marie both kissed his cheek {;
neither spoke. Jeanne was thinking that the
advantage he set before her would remove
the obstacles which separated her from DC.
taVe, but she only sighed deeply, not for an
instant did she dream that she could ever lay
claim to all this brilliant fortune; but Marie,
| taking her fathers hand, calmly asked him if
there was no sign by which they ought to re-
cognize the rightfuI heir?
g The heiress- OF the Marquis de Valbourg
has a sign-so says a letter from her mother,
do not think it is love that makes them so
I. anxious to find her, but the Due de Blossac
I is heir to the property, and the revenues OF
all the estates have been accommodating for
years UntIthe death of this girl is proved
the Due de Blossac cannot touch a penny.
Jeanne, what is the matter with you2"
Nothing, father; 1 feel faint"
"My darling, sit down"
"Weu, you must know that by an AMIGA
bic arrangement made years ago, when the
existence of this daughter was suspected, it
was decided that when she should be found
and installed in her rights she should become
the wife of u. de .Blossac, that young hand
some Duke, you know, he has been here often
to buy diamonds-but Marie, Marie, look at
your sister, she has tainted"
Jeanne was conveyed to her room, for she
had indeed tainted. An hour afterward Ma
RE slowly entered the room, where her father
was anxiously pacing the floor
Father" said Marie, Jeanne is better,
she will sleep soon, and then all will be right.
Father, have you ever had afavorite between
us?"
YES; the one who was sick when you
were children always loved most; now that
Jeanne is suffering and seems unhappy, why,
darling, I think | love her
'sNot better than your Mare--that can
never be- But would you be content to see
Jeanne happy" .....
At any cost"
".Tell me the sign by which this lady says
she can recognize her granddaughter"
" 4 violet mark imprinted in the way in
| which sailors mark their arms, put over the
heart" -l-- f
Then" said Marie, you must love me
best, father, for am your child, and Jeanne
is Duchesse de BlossacY
ITO love one of you is terrible, my darl-
ings; but Jeanne will be great lady; do you
thank that will console her?'
81 do, though she will never forget u.s."
That night Marie knelt by her Jeanne's
bedside; the door was locked and the sisters
were alone.
Marie " exclaimed Jeanne, 81 cannot
hear of this sacrifice. What right have l to
deprive YOU"
"0f course, my sister. You love the duke ;
do not. If l claim the inheritance | must
| become his wife. l cannot; so now submit "
| Still Jeanne resisted; but Marie was firm,
and drawing aside the night dress with firm
and light hand, she pricked the shape of a
violet just over her sisters heart. Then rub
bing it with gunpowder, she made the mark
indelble.
g Now, Jeanne, said she, that is exactly
like the one on me-the one probably my
poor mother made. But | love Pierre, who
has been to US a father. l have no taste for
splendor. Be happy, my own sister, and do
not forget US.
So Jeanne, in great state, was recognized
as the heiress of Nine. de Valbourg, and a
few days afterwards was married with great
pomp and ceremony to the Due de Blossac.
FUF'a few day she had hesitated, then she
had determined not to accept her sisters
sacrifice, but she loved, and the temptation
was too strong. The inheritance she could
have renowned, not Octave; so forever she
buried her secret in her bosom.
] Without one pang did Marie watch her
sister drive away III her brilliant equipage
With a smile she looked up into her fathers
face, and he, wiping a tear from his eye,
pressed her to his heart; neither then, nor
to the day Of his death, ever knowing that
the child who made his home so happy, who
loved him so faithfully, a woman fully OF
sense, simplicity and sensibility, was the
| heiress of the house of Valbourg, and should
have worn ducal cor0net.