Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-05-25

too loudly. her nano, InaG SaUiu-
soft, exquisite hand was pressing one
of mine. While I bent my head and
kissed it, she went on; You are my
only friend, Marie. Will you do q .
favor for me-a little favor that vii!
-how.if you really love me ?"
LIDO love you, madame | an
swered, with averted face; and that
was ALL dared answer. 1t was easy
enough to guess the nature of the
favor which she was going to ask-a 2
favor which I was sure concerned
the carrying of some message be-
tween herself and Monsieur Lavaloir.
I was right. Presently madame
continued, in soft, persuasive tones;
"He is at M, Marie, hardly a
quarter of mile beyond the chateau
grounds. If you will take this note
that I am going to write to him, it
is the only errand Of thesort on which
I shall ever seek to send you. He
did not go to Paris this morning, as
all supposed. I might send the note
by one of the other servants, but then
there is every chance of the baron s
discovering it if I did so"
I arose as madame finished speak
ing. -
/ said, dearly as 1 love you. In
deed, for the reason Of my love, l
cannot take the note, madame.
You believe that there is harm in
what intend writing?"
Why should I believe other
wise ?"
Well, then, I will prove that there
is no harm whatever"
Madame rose hastily, went to her
writing-table, and began to write.
Certainly Eve minutes had not elaps-
ed before she read me a note from
herself to Monsieur Lavaloir, in which
she declined, with concise, almost
severe, sentences, what had evident
ly been proposition to elope with
him.
at believed that the errand would
be far different from this" axclaim-
ed, when she had finished. "Gladly,
madame, will I carry that note,
And may God prosper you in this
wise resolve II
Not long afterward, having receiv-
ed directions from madame precisely
where Monsieur Lavaloir was to be
found, 1 stole down the grand main
staircase with the note in my hand
Feeling quite confident just then that
Monsieur lie Baron was dressing for
dinner, approached the front en-
trance. As I did so The door of the
library was opened, and my master
came hastily forth into. the hall. Sc
sudden was his appearance that for 8
moment my presence of mind com.
pletely forsook me. I started, turn.
ed scarlet, and impulsively conceal
ed beneath my shawl the note I was
holding.
The next thing that. I recollect
after the commission Of this silly act
is the baron's pale, angry face very
close to mine.
Marie, he said, sternly, "giveme
that paper
What paper monsieur ?" I STAN
mered.
His tones were ominous as thun-
der-growl when he replied "No tri-
fling, if you please.
Then he held out his great giants
hand. I trembled, hesitated, and
finally remembered, with a thrill Of
Joy, how the note in my possession
contained nothing to condemn, eve
rything to exculpate the baroness
Why should I not give it to her hus'
band ? There was nothing guilty
in my situation, either: why should
I behave as though guilt really ex'
listed ?
"Read the note, monsieur, if you
desire it," I sai!, boldly; and with
these words l produced what 1 hac
Just hidden beneath my shawl.
The baron eagerly seized the white
square of paper. l saw his eyes
blaze as he glanced at the superscrlp
ton.
"Read it, monsieur I repeated
"and you will then know how little
cause you have for being angry with
Madame la Baronne.
While spoke he had torn open the
envelope. l shall never forget the
awful change that overspead his face
as he read what it contained. I need.
ed no one to tell ethat thismute ag
ony of grief could not have been caus'
ed by the words which my mistres.
had. short while previous, given
me to understand that her missive
contained.
While stood watching him IN 81
lent surprise, he suddenly turned, with
faint groan on his lips, and entered
the library, closing the door with vi
olence.
I few upstairs to madame's cham.
ber.
Monsieur lie Baron has read your
motel" 1 exclaimed. purposely speak.
ing with great abruptness, and, as
spoke, watching her very keenly.
Every particle of color left hel
cheeks.
Non Dieul Marie, I am lostl'
"Lost, madamel" I repeated.
Yes. never wrote what Il reac
you. That note contained an oath
a solemn oath-that I would meet
Monsieur Lavaloir at M to-mor
row afternoon, and fly with him y
GOOD heavens !" murmured.
"There is net even time to ask yor
by what stupid blunder you allowed
the baron to see my note. Perhaps
it was not blunder, only treachery.'
The baroness was speaking with
scornful emphasis while ransacking 6
wardrobe in one corner of the bou.
doiy. After not more thana moments
search, she had drawn therefrom Q