The mountain Democrat., 1865-02-04
What then is to be done Z,

1T must be concealed from him, this
the only way to brihg about our maj
riagc. Trust all to me and We slG'l b
happy
| Adrian'spresence in the counting .hous
was never Of so little use as on that day
he could not bring his mind to contem
plate dull commercial details after all b
had heard that morning. The dean b
had never dared to think would be- res
lized had become a reality.
On Cecile the interview Of the morninI
had different effect; it made her seriou
and thoughtful. After ell, Adrian va
but creature Of her fathers bounty, an,
that might be an obstacle, not one tina
would resist positive desire of hers ex
pressed in her usual positive manner, bu
one she could not signify without declar
ing her love for Adrian, and that woul,
make her father miserable, and might per
haps utterly prevent the success Of he
plans.
He must propose Adrian to me him
sell, was tHV result Of Cecile's reflections
1t so happened that few day after Sh,
had taken it, letter came from her aunt
urging her brother to establish her niece
and requesting him to send her on a visi
Of three months to her to Paris. 4 hav,
been nursing a capital match for her fol
more than year. said she, so pray sent
her.
Nov, really this is too bad said NJ
COulaincourt; your aunt being you
mothers sister, fancies she has 4 righ
over you; and | cannot indeed part with
yon.'
1 shall certainly not co.
Then here every one is asking the hon
or Of my daughters hand. wonder i
the men think | took all this care Of you
expressly for themP'
They need not trouble themselves,
said Cecile, 4 will never leave you; but az
you would not like me after oil to be ar
old maid, | should like to 6nd HUSBAND
who would consent to come and live here
and make my home his
Capital
For that We must 6nd some one wht
is not rich
I am rich enough for both
who has no relations
Certainly
Who has great respect for you
'Of course
And who will understand US both; bu
where is such being to be foundH'
'Ahr exclaimed M. Coulaincourt, start
ing up-I have the very man he ha
often told me he would lay down his lif
for me he will not dare refuse me this
Adrian
Cecile's heart beat wildly, but she hac
sufficient self control to keep down tn,
blush which thrilled through her veins
as with an air Of indifference she replied
Adrian? Oh, yes; why, be knows u
both so well, knows all our faults, an,
knows all my love for you, you nigh
make him your partner, but then woul
he have meS Perhaps he loves some on
else.'
Nonsense; he cannot. he shall not; M
Cecile then will never leave me, and n'
passionate love will ever come to obscur,
the love of all her poor fathers life. I
will not be too great a sacrifice, though
will it, CecileP think you must likt
Adrian
Just enough, father, to marry hin
without aversion; and ] shall love him fol
keeping me all my life near you
Love him, but only second to me-
OF course'
Coulaincourt FASTENED to the counting
house, shut himself up in his office will
Adrian, and there made the proposition t.
him. Adrian, being a man, had not al
much tact as Cecile, and, thrown off hi:
guard, avowed his passion for her, which
came near spelling the whole plot.
But Cecile's tact and skill came to the
rescue. Never was accepted suitor re
ceiVed in colder or more cavalier man
ner. Not one word Of tenderness, not one
look of love was bestowed on him during
the whole courtshIp. Not for ten minutes
was be ever alone with his intended
Coulaincourt was enchanted; Cecile. too
for she had gained her point her fathe
was not jealor., of her husband.
On the Wedding day, as they were 70
turning from church, Adrian offered hi
arm to his bride, but she had already t.
ken her fathers.
'Cccile, said Coulaincourt, your hus
band has, perhaps, the right
'Ah! | had forgotten him, replied Ce
cile, just touching Adrian's arm with the
tips Of her fingers.
Even on her wedding day. said Cou
laincourt to himself, with thrill Of JOY
she thought of me before she thought o.
him.
Cold and CeremoRious vas the brides
manner through all the banqueting and
rejoicing. Adrian himself was almost de-
ceived, and on this, the happiest day o.
his life, could not help feeling sad. When
all was over, the guests gone, and COu'
laincourt conducted his children to their
OWE apartment, his heart thrilled with
joy to think that his home was now to be
forever hers. Then, when the door was
closed upon them, Cecile threw herself
into her husbands arms and whispered
4 love YOU
They have all three been supremcly
happy ever since, and Coulaincourt takes
the credit of all on himself, never suspect
ing the stratagem by which woman con-
trived to have her own way.
-~NS%--
PLEASURE little while in the spring
time Of the senses, in the sunshine o.
prosperity, in the jubilee of health, life
of mere pleasure may seem well enough
But how insufficient, how mean, how ter
rible, waen age comes, and sorrow and
death. A life of pleasure! !! What does
it look like when these great changes beat
against it! 1t looks like the fragments o.
feast, when the sun shines upon the
withered garlands, and the tinsel, and the
overturned tables, and the dead lees o.
wine.
SoXE men keep savage dogs around
their houses, so that the hungry poor whC