The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-03-28

ing but Marie. The merits of my own
sweet little betrothed were quite eclipsed,
or rather never mentioned, for when at |
times would endeavor to speak of Lizzie |
/ was interrupted and bored with the |
name of Marie. 1 could not blame my |
friend nor be angry with him, for here
tofore Lizzie's name and merits had |
formed the staple of our evenings con-
versation.
One evening we returned home earlier
than usual, and were surprised to hear
the sound of female voice singing in
our rooms We stopped and listened at
the door. 1t was love song from the
opera of the Pre- dur Cgeres, a favorite of
my friends.
How beautifully she ng!-with what
style and execution! She was finished
artistic. We stopped at. the door until
the last note had died away and was
succeeded by lively ralss. Then we
entered.
at is impossible! 1t can't bep cried
Jules.
But it was Marie, who, rising from
the piano as we entered, stood suffused
with blushes.
al beg your pardon, gentlemen, for
my presumption in entering your
rooms,h she said but madame was here
arranging them, and came up to keep
her company"
Madame's head, with her twinkling,
mischievous little eyes, just then peered
| forth from the adjoining room, as if in
proof of Marie's statement.
"No presumption whatever, mademoi-
selle: it is an honor" said Jules. But
1 beg you will once more sing my favor
lite song"
The sun had long since cast its last
rays on Montmarte, and madame had
dozen times risen TO go, and still Jules
and Marie were at the piano. My friend
was an accomplished performer on the
piano, and an enthusiastic admirer of
music. They sang duets and solos with
out number, and when at last Madame
Jacques said she must go, it was with
regret they parted.
The morrow was Sunday; we slept
longer than usual ON that day, and ten
o'clock had sounded from neighboring
steeple when Madame Jacques entered
the room with two letters, one for Jules
and one for me. Mine was from Lizzie !;
she was educated in France, and she said
that she intended paying visit to an
old school-fellew of hers, Mademoiselle
Ernond, who resided at the Chateau de
Beauville, near Rouen; and, further,
that she expected me to pay her an early
visit there. 1 could bring my double" :"
thus she called my friend, with me. /
jumped out of bed, delighted at the
prospect of seeing Lizzie so soon, and
hurried into Jules's chamber. / found
him intently occupied with little rose.
colored billet.
"What, a bitLet-dour r' said /. "Pray
! who thus honors you, Monsieur Jules 2?
) He handed me the note; the writing
was delicate and ladylike.
/ Monsieur" thus it ran, al have te
thank you much for the honor and pleas
ure you have afforded me by your pleas
; ant society. leave Paris this morning
and have no time to bid you adieu. Re
, ceive, therefore, monsieur, my bes
r wishes, and believe me, with respect,
"MARIE."
"Well, it is bad news, mon ansi," sale
t l; "but if you love her, you must fine
e out from madame where she is gone, ant
Y follow her."
: "Ah, madame won't tell me her ad
J, DRESS" replied Jules. "She says Mari
has forbidden her to do SO. She say
, | Suc 10 SOuO W JUN OuO ldtuliy Will WuOu
It she resides in Normandy"
+ !" But this is superbp I exclaimed
e "Read what Lizzie says. We will b
off Thursday morning, and having see
d Lizzie, will tell her of your love affail
e and am sure she will aid you, for
t woman's wit is sharper than MANS"
e Thursday evening found us located i
g the hall of the Chateau de Beauville
| -, a<~f,
and we were seated near the fire whic
d occupied with Lizzie's friend, MAIDEN
oiselie Ernond, while the rest of th
g family were variously engaged in othe
t, parts of the chateau.
e, had determined to speak to Lizzie
}" Jules's love affair at the earliest oppo
r. tunity, and this opportunity now pr
i'd sented itself. How her eyes sparkle
while narrated the story and describe
in Mariel / thought she was amused /.
", the idea of the struggle between priG
III and love that my friend had undergon
1e had scarce finished speaking whe
is Mademoiselle Ernond rang; and whe
b. the servant appeared, she desired him
I'd tell Marie to come to her.
Id "She is my companion" she sal
re smiling, to Jules; +" very beautiful al
er interesting girl, / assure you; but u
n fortunately, she is only a porter
le. daughter"
in Whatl could we have thus fortunate
found Marie without a days search
id Yes, sure enough, the door opened al
. there stood Marie.
ut Demure and humble enough was b
on greeting to us, but her eyes spark,
RS with an irrepressible fire that strange
affected me; | could not comprehel
he her AS lady's companion, she occupi,
we seat at the table, and / noticed Il
lie, servants treated her with marked /
lg. spect.
'as need not say with what rapidity t
week allotted for our stay had near
'as passed. On all possible occasions Jul
le, was the attendant of Marie, and he d
'ix not escape the jests and laughter of t
rs; company on this account; but he be
ne them with extraordinary meekness Al
Sc, GOODNESS for one so proud and hot-blood
i'm as know him to be.
He One day Lizzie and were seated in
q arbor in the garden; she had consent
ad to fix on an early day for our weddir
as and we were discussing our marriage
lst rangements, when suddenly we hea
IA IOOIstePs approaching, anu y uleS Sa
tic "Nay, Marie, believe me, I love y
! is truly and dearly; can you return 1
1er love, and be my wife?''
Try "Can you really sacrifice your pr
ost ciples, and brave your fathers
the pleasure, by marrying a porte
ley daughter?" she asked.
"Trust me Marie, my false pride
ing all gone," he replied. I love you
ux- votedly, and ask you to be my wife. :"
hat The answer could not hear for tt
1--WE had passed on toward the chateau.
ust Well, Jules, involuntarily he;
l your declaration of love to-day" sale
eri- when the family had retired for
all night. "What answer did you
ave ceive p'
our Congratulate me, my FRIEND" he
and piled. "She loves me-she told me