The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1865-02-03

I III uSh my ilVthSi'
An oath arose to the Dukes lips
but he checked it.
evil you receive me tomorrow"
"You may come, and if my mother
is willing yes.
81 shall be sure.
"You will have forgotten me by to-
morrow? ?"
Il shall never forget you"
Il have heard my mother say the
men always protest more than they
mean"
"Your mother is" the Duke
paused and bit his lip.
"What is sheY asked Bergero-
nette.
"sho isis right But I mean
what I say. AS sure as. the morrow
comes SO will l."
Come Good night
She turned from him and was about
to enter the garden.
'Bergeronotte' he said quickly,
zone kiss before l go. Surely my
forb earance deserves it,"
She made no answer but gently in
clined her head toward him. Tor a
moment she fingered in his arms, and
then tore herself from his embrace
and passed quickly through the gate
The Duke determined to follow her
When he placed his hand against the
gate, he found it securely fastened.
So-the Duke went to his lodgings
he had taken bachelor apartments on
his wedding day TO dream of Berger
onette.
The next day he went to the cottage
in Rue st. Helone
He was received by Bergeronette
timidly and introduced by her to her
mother, fine matronly dame, who
sat quietly spinning in the corner, and
allowed the young people to rove
around the garden at will
4 The Duke thought she was a very
sensible old woman.
The Duke departed at the end of
the three hours more in love than
ever
He came every day for a fortnight,
and every day he pressed his suit.
But there was only one way in which
Bergeronette could be woman hon
orable marriage.
The Duke was in despair and at his
wits ends. He had stormy scene
with the king, who threatened to
send him to the Bastile if he did not
return to the Duchess
So he came to Bergeronette on the
fourteenth day, to make final effort
to obtain her. They were alone to-
gether in the garden.
Hear me, Bergeronette," he cried
when he had exhausted every argu-
ment and found her still firm, II
swear to you were free, this instant
would l wed you. l have told you
that am a Duke, but not my title.
Now you shall knowall. am the Duke
de Franche Compete, and / anal
ready married"
Married. echoed Bergeronette
with a smothered scream.
81 was forced into this union by the
kings command. / do not love my
wife / have never even seen her
face. left her at the affairs foot, and
we have never met since. She pos
sasses my title, but you alone possess
my heart. Fly with me, and in some
distant land we may dwell in happi-
ness, blessed in each others society.
Time may remove the obstacle to our
union, death may befricnd us, di-
yorce may be obtained, and then |
swear to you by every saint in heaven,
you shall become my Duchess
"Were you free, would you really
make me your wife? ?"
81 have pledged you my word. j"
Il believe you
'Will you fly with me ~
II will"
Dear Louis" she murmured, for so
had lie learned her to call him, 81
have also something to impart to you.
My name is'not Bergeronette, and L
am not what you take me to be-
"What do you mean ?"
81 have a title equal to your own.
TThen this old woman 2"
SIS not my mother, but my NURSE
'And the man who assaulted you n
''Was my lackey, instructed for that
purpose,
'Slhe Duke looked bewildered
"And like you, she continued 81 am
MARRIED. SO a
a.