The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1869-02-04
GcIccteo nlisfellanD.
CHARLOTTE MOREL.
BT JULIA KAVANAGU.

MADEMolsELLE CHARLOTTE MoREL
had rarely left her convent, and her few
glimpses Of the world seem to have had
little effect upon her She was as quiet
and demure as any little nun. Rather
little she was, though not ungracefully so
little, but very pretty, with a rosy, round
face, charming dimples, lovely black eyes,
and glossy black hair. This attractive
young person also had al amiable and
even temper, and more practical sense
than ladies of her years are supposed TO
possess. Her father laid his plans open to
her with perfect candor. His fortune was
invested in his business, and his son-in-
law must also, if possible, be bis success
Csor. He was quite satisfied with Henri
Roussel and though be wished to lay no
compulsion upon her, he hoped that his
daughter would like the young man.
Charlotte heard him out, with her eyes
dOwncast, and her hands folded on her
lap, and then said, grayely, "Has he not
q bad temper"
Rather hasty, perhaps" reluctantly
said Monsieur Morel; "but Henri Roussel
would never be to young and agreeable
wife what he may have been to his family,
you know"
Charlotte rsised her eyebrows in min
gled surprise and doubt on hearing this.
81 hope to get old," she said quantity
Monsieur Morel, not knowing what TO
say, began praising the young mans tai
ent, assiduity, and good looks.
Henri always begins very weH," COM
pOsedly replied Charlotte, land / know
he is clever"
"And very handsome" persisted Mon
sieur Morel, shrewdly.
His daughter answered with the un-
trausatable "conme Ca" to which go
sO' is no equivalent; and no more was
said on the subject.
To all appearance, matters went on very
well between the young people. Char
lo;te sat aud worked in room next the
shop or the ground-fioor, and there Henri
would go and join her now and then.
The door remained open, and from the
shop Monsieur Morel watched them with
pleased eye. He saw his pretty daugh.
ter sitting near the window, around which
the creepers hung How quiet and de.
mure she looked, with her downcast eyes
whilst Henri Roussel leaning against the
wall, glZed down ct her in evident admi.
rationI
81 fancy it will do" thought Monsieur
Morel; but to be sure of it, he questioned
his daughter. Charlotte was silent awhile
then she said, =" | mistrust him. He had
temper once, and he seems to have lost
it."
Because he is fond of you"
"Ah, but suppose he should cease being
fond of me?"
Now, as ill-lucE would have it, Monsieur
uorel repeated this conversation to Henri
ROussel. The young man heard him aDG
said nothing, but bit his lip and turnet
very red. He sometimes rowed Charlott.
and his sisters down the river of an even
ing, and he did so late on the afternoon o
this day. The sun was setting behind tn,
old church Of Verrieres. Blue and golC
were in the sky, and mingled in the placit
surface of the little stream with the greer
shadows of the aspens and the willows
The boat flOated past quiet gardens; as b,
rowed, Henri looked at Charlotte will
mingled love and anger. The young CIR
sat still. for Louise, Henri's youngest sis
ter, had fallen asleep ON her lap
Why do you not trust me, Charlotte 2
asked Henri, abruptly.
Charlotte raised her eyes in some won
der; then, guessing the truth, she colorec
a little, but replied composedly, "Wha
difference does 1t make to you whether
trust you or not 2"
Her cool tone, her unmoved look exas
perated him. In moment Henri recoy
cred the temper which the fair Charlott
supposed him to have lost. His eye
flashed, his lips trembled with resent
rnent
You must be heartless to put such
question" he said impetuously
Charlotte looked at him very earnestly
"Thank you," she said, bowing he
head with ironical courtesy. "Pray
so kind as to row me back"
He complied without saying a wore
That same evening Charlotte quietly il
formed her father that she should neve
marry Henri Roussel.
The man who cannot rule himself sha
never rule me-" she said
Monsieur Morei was much annoyed an
much troubled He did his best to col
vince Charlotte that she had better civ
Henri another trial; but the proposal We
evidently SO distasteful to her, and sl
shrank from it with such pain, that he di
not insist.
"Very well" he said, desperately; "
must send off poor Henri, and you mu
go back tn the convent till l have foun
some one else"
To this sentence Charlotte submittt
without 2 word She went sway the yeI