The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-03-31
CHAPTER x.

4 ..''
CHAPTER x. ...
A BOUQUET OF xARGUERITIs. /
About this time one or two people
came occasionally to stay in the house
for a night Or two: the De Vernons,
who we're neighbour, young Robert de
Coetlogou, Ernestine's brother, and
others from time to time. Catharine
did not see much Of them; they came
and: they went without. any reference
to her. Madame de Tracy was very
kind to her always. Evon Madame
Jean had melted, and got to like the
bright-faoed little thing, although she
never altered her vexatious dctermina-
tion to admit No governess into her
house. Madame de Tracy had begged
that Cathsrine might notbe told. She
did not want the poor childsto be
unnecessarily distressed, and che looked
SO happy and comfortably settled, that
it seemed a shame todisturb her, when,
Perhaps every thing, might arrange
itself smoothly, and without any expla-
nations. Madame de Tracy used to
take Catharine out sometimes. One
day they, drove to Bayeux, with its ca,
thedral towers, and winding streets,
and jewellers shops all twinkling. Au-
other day they went to Petitport the
fishwl7es looking up griuning and nod
ding as the lady of>the manor passed
by. "Do you sec the pretty little cha
LIT on the cliff overlooking the sea p
said Madame Dc Tracy, pointing to. the
little house with the pink curtains, and
all Its wooden balconies and weather.
cooks That is where ,Fontaiue lives.
1s:it not, = charming little place? I
have to speak to him: We will leave
the ponies down here At Pelottier's." !"
And Madame de'Tracy put the reius in
to some idler's hands, and painted up
the cliff, too busy, aud preoccupied, and
breathless to glance at the sapphire sea
at her feet.
Fontaine was not at homo, but an
old gentleman's head was to he seen
through one of the windows, and fat
old?ady With mustachcs wassittiug in the
garden with her hands on her two knees
and her feet on tootstool, and Toto
was galloping round and round the lit
tie gravel path.
"My son is out, unfortunately,
Madame Ia Comtesse," said the old
lady: bowling from her seat to Madame
de Tracy, who remained outside the
gate. "He will be in despair when ]
tell him you passed this way" she add
cd, stifly.
81 hope you are well, Madame Mer
ard" said Madame de Tracy, willing K
propitiate. "Your:. son gives m.
news Of you from time to time. Wha
a charming little habitatiou this Is =
"They offered US five hundred franc
a month for it only yesterday" SAL
Madame Merard, with dignity. II d
ali I can to prevail upon Charles to le
it. Rents are enormous just now
One should make ones profit when on
can. But Charles will not hear re.
son."
| Meanwhile Toto and Catharine wei
making acquaintance. The little bo
lad come up to look At the pretty lad
bis papa had told him about !; an
Catharine, bending over tho low railin
and holding out her hand, said, "Wh'
nice flowers You have got in your ga
den! Will yeu give me one
them?"
"Papa aud I water them every ev
ning," said Toto, picking a slug.estt
specimen and holding it up. ~ ha'
a little watering. pct Of my own"
The eea looked 81 blue, the shuttle
% so green, the sunlight 50 yellow, Il
m,reuerites so brilliant, that Catharine
eyes we're dassled, and she scarcely n
ticed the curious, dissatisfied glanc
old Madame Merard was casting in h
direction. Madame de Tracy, howevt
saw them, and quickly hurried Cath
rine away, 70, fear she shoull 7
, frightened by this somewat alarmi'
person.
II: "Pray tell Aonsieur 10 Marie
: asked for him" said Madame dc Trac
= as they walked away, bowling, and fol
!. ing herself to be civil to the old lady
: : the. chalet.
For Fontaine himself Madame ,
Tracy began to feel almost sentimet
: al interest. She looked upon him fro
an entirely new point Of view; . bo
!: no longer, but hero Of romance,
i enthusiastic and disinterested low
= !: Madame Dc Tracy felt that if she VI
!. Cathariue, nothing in the world wou
= = be moro delightful to her than = m
+ Il riage With Monsieur Fontaine. "Hau
:, some, amiable, varm.hearted, = 60
:; 3 man Of business, musical, universe
= respected it il I piece Of good toftu