The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1877-03-29

not mind if 1 say would like to be alon,
now ?"
Gaston took her little white hand
kissed it, and went without word. H,
spent half the night thinking of Odette
the other half he dreamed of her
As to Odette-left alone in he1 room
she soon fell fast asleep.
A month passed, during which Castor
pursued his wooing faithfully, anxiously
But he did not deceive himself that he
had won Odette's heart. Sometimes she
was as loving and confidential with him
as woman can be to her accepted lover
at other times she was cold and restrain.
ed-making him happy and miserable,
by turns. But to do the girl Justice. the
question which she asked herself oftenest
was: 500 1 love him ?'
One evening Mr.. Melville Brooks. q
bachelor of fifty, an old and trusted
friend, called upon Odette.
why, Melville, what q stranger
What happy event brings you?"
81 come to give you a bit of advice,
Odette; but of course you won't take it. i
Just listen to the man I feel hurt
indeed 1 do, Mr.. Brooks. But let me
hear your advice"
81 would not meddle in your and Gas
ton Sandford's affairs, if he was one of
the many nincompoops in which our no.
BILE city abounds, as in that case society's
loss would not be great; but CASTOR is
a noble, earnest fellow, and you must
deal candidly with him, Odette."
what grievous wrong have [ done
him, Melville q she asked, in some con-
sternation.
"f you love him, tell him SO, and
make arrangements for your wedding: If
you don't love him, let him know It as
gently as possible, and at once. and 1
will try to save what remains of his wits. +"
''He is really dying of love, then -
said Odette, with unconcealed mirth.
''This is not like you, my girl. Dying
of love? Nonsense No woman is
worthy such sacrifice. But you, Odette,
and women like you, who play man on
q hook as you would fish, ought to be
told that you stand in the way of better
women than yourselves-women whose
desire Is marriage, not universal admira-
ton; and who are content with one honest
courtship, not innumerable firtations"
Odette was ready to cry with vexation,
but allowed Mr.. Brooks to continue.
Ii you don't want Sandford for q
husband there is another who does, and
an heiress too. And now I'll be going.
Goodbye. You don't ask me to come
back again ?"
Your visits are SO agreeable, Mr..
Brooks, they cannot too often be re-
peated."
"Well, then, I will come back very
soon, Odette. Think seriously over
what L have said" And the old cur
mudgeon, as lie passed out, muttered to
"Gave il 10 her pretty strong,
poor thing, but faith ! she had to have
it,
AS punctual as a solder on duty, at
half-past seven the same evening, Sand
ford made his appearance. Odette was
playing on the piano, and he begged her
not to let his presence interrupt the per-
formance.
"a friend of mine is right" said he.
when she had finished "when you play
you put your soul into your fingers
" Is that the only news in the city y"
"No. They say also," he continued,
with meaning, THAT Il party of explorers
IS going to start soon on an expedition
INTO Central Africa, and that a certain
Mr.. CASTOR Sandford, an acquaintance
of yours, intends to join them"
"Ah !" exclaimed Odette. But the
lext moment, with admirable control,
she added: "Such an expedition must
nave great attractions for man of your
spirit but have you taken into due con-
'ideration the dangers and hardships you
will be exposed to, CASTOR ?"
81 have. The more hardships the
1etter; they will help me to fight against
his controlling passion. Odette, dear
)dette If 1 loved you less 1 could re-
main but loving you as I do, with 30
much pain and so little hope, must go
way from New York to place as unlike
t as possible"
And how long do you mean to be
gone 7"
"As long as I can but not long
nough, am afraid to forget YOU"
" Is there no other young lady-no
leiress you have to forget ?"
"None."
"Odette rose, and threw herself into
faston's arms as he stood by the piano.
You will not go, Gaston," she said /; /
you will stay-1 wish it.
:" Is this love, or is it only pity.
)dette 7" said CASTOR, gently smoothing |
rom her forehead her waving brown !
air.
For answer she held up her lips to be
lssed; and, at that moment, felt as
eally in love as CASTOR himself.
1t is needless to add that the African
xploring party was duly organized, and |
nat it did not include Mr.. Sandford.
When summer came, the engaged pair
ere at Saratoga, together. Odette was
18th her aunt, Mrs. Wentworth. Among
ne new acquaintances she made there ,
as Count Bradsky, a Hungarian officer
itached to the Austrian embassy at I
sashington-a very distinguished look
lg man, and great favorite, generally,
nth the ladies. Odette pronounced him
ne best dancer at Saratoga. CASTOR
as gileved to see that she daily grew
'nder of the foreigners society, and
lat Count Bradsky had rather more of
is Fancees time than he himself had.
Meanwhile Odette was preoccupied
nd restless, and avoided company.
me evening CASTOR found her seated
nt-of-doors, toying with a bouquet of
overs. 1t was not the bouquet he had
mt her; but, crushing down his rising
'alousy, he said:
" What a superb bouquet Who is
he happy mortal whose flowers are SO
lcky?"
" L don't know. took the first bou-
net at hand. 1 received several of them
day."
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