The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1878-06-19
rur nouarrr OF n.nerrnrrrs.
CHAPTER /.

cation between them seemed ANNA
ted. particularly on the part OF the
dowacer. The young maj listened
respectfully, but as one who, although
silent. was none the less determined
TO follow the dictates Of his own
will.
Eyes. nephew" said The Countess,
ovou are foolish, to say the least
aud. humiiiating as it msy be to
make the admission, ] can not retrae'
my words"
'Bat, dear aunt
you are twenty-eight years Of
agen she continued, "Sre good look
inc. well hammered, ard nobly born
moreover, possess e fortune, and
have excellent expectations through
me. What, pray. are you doiog with
your advantages"
What would you have me do =
injured Ernest. "Obtain a position
al court. or become sous Project Z"
Sarcasm is no reply" responded
the Countess, in q tone Of annoyance.
"Whst / mean is this you must
cease to be useless to others and to
Yourself also. You must marsy and
have heirs"
Il ask nothing better, my dear
aunt replied de Merieux; "bnt | am
as YOU know, romantic, snd freely
acknowledge that / should be 10th
to enter into any uuion where only
the cold formelity OF convenience
existed. and where sentiment was ig-
nored."
"Ahi indeed, " interrupted his lis
teaer. you are one Of those who de-
sire sympathy, aud believe in the ex-
;stepce of elective alhnities. Two
souls who. although divided, are yet
so ardeutly united that they meet at
last. Believe me, Ernest, experience
has taught me the folly Of c~beiisbing
such thoughts. Renounce, my boy,
the scheme Of seeking this woman of
YOU dreams, this sweet love Of your
fancy. 1 admit she has but o fault;
but that fault lies in the fact that she
never existed"
but suppose she does exist, aad
that tbe being you depict as a mere
chimera is 10 me q reality z"
"Caa it be possible that you have
given your heart? Why did you
not sooner tell ne your secret !
Where is the lady 7"
Il do not know"
rs she o young girl ?"
Il can not answer"
"a widow, perhaps 2"
Perhaps"
"Wnere did you meet her ~ urged
the Countess. How will you rec
cgnize her Z"
81 can not say, for | have never
seen her face" responded Ernest.
This is abs lutely absurd" was
the impatient rejoinder. - u are
testing with me-"
Listen, end be lenient and indul
gent" responded the young man.
"Do you remember" be continued
'the visit | paid you some three years
ago ?"
ayes it was during the close o
summer, and you were unusually
thoughtful and melancholy"
Il came in the diligence, as | haC
lost several games of whist at Baden
and was condemned 10 the incOnven
;once Of nracticiuC economy
Very true"
"Well, it is of that journey ! pro
pose to speak. At first | was entire
iy alone in the coupe. Night ap
preached. 1t was just such a one a.
Shakespeare would have chosen fol
one of his fantastic dreams. Toward
nine O'Clock, when w stopped q
Dreux for relays, the door of the pom
derous stage-coach was thrown open
and ome travellers entered. | wa
greatly inclined to resent the in,ru
sion. and heartily, although silently
wished them to the devil, for l haC
much enjoyed the undisturbed quie
and my " thoughts. The first in
dividual who appeared was an oil
man /; be was stoutly built, and wor'
several decorations. He grum bleC
Justify as he seated himself 10 th'
corner. Accompanying the indiyid
ual was q woman who, by her vivae
ity and supple movements, | imagin
ed must be very young. Her throa
and shoulders were envelOped in
black silk scarf, and she wore a Leg
horn hat trimmed with blonde, a fal
Of which would have hidden her face
even if it had not been too dark 70
me to catch a glimpse Of her feat
ures. From some observations mad
learned that they were going tt
visit n relative who resided at a chat
eau a few miles from Alencon. Ihei
p~ost-chaise had met with an acci
dent, and they were, consequently
compelled 10 use the diligence. J
can not express 10 you, dear aunt
the peculiar charm exercised owe mr
by the lady. Her grace was irresis,
IDLE. and her conversation expressed
her intelligence. As she converse'
with her companion and myself. sh,
was gay, witty, sentimental. oil mel
archoly. ] realized that / was j,
the society Of those belonging to
or wno claimed aristocracy OF birth
Towards morning we reached
their destination, and ] knew W.
would part company"
leone, Louise said the old ger
tleman, we have arrived al last "
will seek shelter at the FIRST farm
house We come across, and then sen
20 inform nav cousin Of oar misad
venture. She will sead the carriag,
and We will be driven al once 20 To
ch~steau.'"
Il felt as though | was 10 be de
prived OF happiness, of everything, j
fact, with her departure ana ye'
antil this very hour, | know nc
whether the woman wEo made 5
great al impression upon me is ia
wife or daughter of the gentleman j
question. Neither the conductor 20
the position could give me any in
formation respecting them"
Gan you know is that her baptisma
name is Louise"
Il have also a bouquet Of margaeI
Ives that my heroine let fall as SD
passed from the diligence-whetbe
accidental or intentional / am unabl
to say but at oh events, | cherisI
them as a relic OF her sweet pres
enca.r