Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-09-09

you"
1 listened to her in surprise. Icould
scracely realize the full meaning of her
words.
Explain, for heavens sake" said
"you love me, and yet you marry
"True, 1 intend to marry Monsieur
Grumelot."
"Who advises such step?"
"My mother"
"But, remember, his years are double
your own" 1 urged.
81 do not care" she responded
wearily.
''He is deaf" added.
$50 much the better for me-"
Moreover, stupid"
$50 much the worse for him."
"Then his only attra.ion consists in
his fortune"
Certainly. And now, Adolphe, we
must shake hands and say adieu."
Without another word I left her, and
length of time elapsed before We met
again. At last l was seized with an ir-
repressible desire to see her. On reach
ing the house 1 entered the parlor un-
announced, and, to my surprise, found
Olympic extended upon the sofa and
weeping bitterly.
"What is the matter? ?" inquired
much alarmed at her distress.
''You know the news of course" she
replied.
81 informed her that 1 did not"
"Then you have not heard that he is
dead ?"
"Deadl Who is dead ?" 1 ques-
toned.
Monsieur Grumelot. He died six
days ago from an attack OF apoplexy."
"Then, Olympic, you will listen to my
love-" said quickly.
"You do not seem to understand,
she said, coldly, ''that my fortune is
again blank, that l must return to my
misery. The very thought of it drives
me wild. Why did Providence take
from me a man who was willing to make
me his lawful wife, and give me the
riches so crave"
"Olympe |" Exclaimed.
81 tell you" she continued, poverty
is abhorrent to me. Whatever be the
means held out, honest or not, / will
grasp them, happy to escape, and if L
do wrong, the fault is not mine, for
Heaven deprived me of Grumelot."
Icould scarcely believe that my ears
did not deceive me.
Unhappy girl" 1 said, "what has so
perverted your heart and mind, and
thus rendered your beauty dangerous to
yourself"
"Oh Adolphe, she replied, weeping
bitterly, ''your heart is pure and true,
and your nature too honest to compre-
hend the strangeand cruel waywardness
of mine. Dream on in your own pure
and better life-of one holier and more
blessed than me, and when tempted to
censure one you once loved, turn from
bitterness to pity weakness which is
too often a wretchedness beyond the
hope of redemption.
The words were spoken sternly, there
was brilliant light in her dark eyes,
and a bright flush covered her pale
cheeks. Ere 1 could speak she had
glided from the room, leaving me alone,
with sad thoughts.
On the stairs 1 met Madam Thibau-
dier; she was dressed in deep mourn
ing, long Grape veil enveloped her,
almost hiding her face but 1 recognized
her, and learned she had just returned
from the funeral. did not stop to
condole with my aunt, but hurried out
into the air and sunshine, oppressed by
my disappointment and anxious to find
relief.
Some weeks passed. / had COM
pletely recovered from nv infatuation,
and was one day taking my usual pro-
menade in the Bois, when 1 perceived
two ladies at short distance from me.
Both were conversing in a most lively
manner; they we're seated beneath the
spreading shade of large tree, and be-
side them was an old man of impressive
appearance. Olympic was, if possible,
more beautiful than ever. Her exquisite
profile, brilliant eyes, and small, per-
fectly formed mouth, had never seemed
to me more attractive, and L felt alb
surdly weak. For a time | stood and
watched them. Each one that passed
gave her an admiring glance, which she
failed to observe, her entire attention
being given to the old man beside her.
His age L judged to be about seventy
five, but many efforts, painfully ap-
parent, had been made to disguise the
fact. Ssddened to witness another
proof of OIympe's folly, turned away.
The following day l again occupied
the same post of observation, and soon
saw Nine. Thibaudier and her daughter;
they were almost Immediately joined by
the gentleman. Meeting friend, l in
quired the name of Oiympe's COM
panion.
''He is the Count de Trancy, a man of
immense wealth, who lives in the Rue
de CREDIBLE in a grand mansion, with
his name blazoned above the door"
SIS he married. ?" 1 questioned.
"He is widower with two children, ]"
was the reply. 81 have, however, never
seen them with him. At present he is
particularly attractive to those two
ladies who, perhaps do not know that
he is considered an old roue."
For two weeks L watched Olympic
daily, but resisted the temptation to
Join her. One morning 1 received a
letter. 1t ran as follows:
My DEAR PHE-Congratulate me.
Olympic is about to be married to the
wealthy Count de Tracy. Inclosed you
will find an invitation to the ceremony,
which will take place tomorrow, at the
Church of Saint Clothilde.
Your affectionate AUNT.
Curious to witness the ceremony or
from some motive / would not acknowl-
edge even to myself, 1 went to the
church, and found large crowd of
aristecrats awaiting the arrival OF the
bride. At length the organ pealed
forth, the centre doors were thrown
open, and 1 saw Olympic approaching,
more lovely than the most beautiful OF
dreams. Her dress was a mass of the
most exquisite lace and silk. A veil OF
the finest texture fell like a cloud
around her, and her small and classic
head was crowned with natural flowers.
Olympic leaned upon the arm of an old
friend, her mother was beside her, and
the Count de Trancy followed. liz
passing, my cousin caught sight OF me,
and l saw faint smile of recognition.
She did not speak, but walked firmly
and proudly up to the altar. The Ger,
emony commenced, the bride and groom