Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1879-07-09

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! ferred to remain as she was.
To this Nj. de Beland said nothing,
4 hut looked relieved; for his visits to the
Maison Pontneuf would have been very
different without Elise, But on hearing
the letter of Nine. Artois, speaking so
| highly of the young man, and even APP
pealing to himself to use his influence
in favol of the match, he threw himself
calamity into the spirit of the adven-
ture, and took care to be at the dill
gence office 10 receive and welcome NJ
A. de Nlllani, whose first visit to the
| Maison Pontneuf was paid in his com
panv, his easy, genial manners and real
kindness helping TO put every one at
ease, and to draw out the nervous and
somewhat over-agitated
! When it was over, they all agreed that
not word too much had been said in
! his pl aise. His manner was all that
could be desired; while it was evident
that be was very much in love. On the
other hand NJ. de Vilani poured out to
| his kind host his contentment and salts
! faction. There was no disappointment
! Elise was better than her picture; and
! each time he saw her he found some
new perfection. Truly she was one of
| those women who bear a close inspec-
ZION, and whose beauty unfolds gradual
| ly; a woman who can brighten home
rs we'll as ballroom.
| All the acquaintance and friends of
the Bornos were eager and profuse in
congratulations and inquiries. Nj. de
! Belandi told every one that it was a cap
| ital thing; that there wac sure to be
gay wedding; and he joked Elise, and
encouraged M. A de Villain. Every
body observed what high spirits NJ. de
Belaudi was in; and yet for all this he
caught himself signing as he thought of
Elise going away. But he was not
selfish man, and he felt that it was
quite time for his little friend to marry.
After little time, however, NJ. de
Belandi fancied that the young lover re-
turned from his visits to Maison Pont-
neuf rather too quiet and silent in mood,
though any allusion 70 the family only
made him warmly declare that the more
he saw of the lady the more he admired
her.
"Then pray hurry on the marriage,
my friend" returned M. de Belandi;
''lor it is very clear that counting does
not suit you. You grow thinner and
paer every day"
But M. A. de Villain only laughed.
1t was quite gay time at the old
Maison Pontneuf so many people
came to hear all about it." and
the father and mother We're not at
all disinclned to tell the romantic story
md .
congratulations of their neighbors. But
when any one ventured to speak to
Elise herself, she drew up and said that
congratulations were premature. 1t
was true that the gentleman had done
her the honor of asking her hand, but
nothing was settled" which speech
caused great deal of surprise and talk.
And then, rs time went by and remarks
were made on the evident gravity and
pale looks of the sutton, people beg IN
TO speculate, and even few bets were
made as to what was to be the ultimate
end of it all. After the first greetings,
this question was asked by every one.
We'll, and what does Mile. Elise say
now" And M de Belandi, who knew
every one, grew excited and anxious
and warmly expressed his certainty
that all would come right.
you are right aud am getting i'll"
replied NJ. A. de Villain one day to his
host and friend. ~ cannot bear this
any longer, and | have written home to
say | shall return Immediately"
"And when is the marriage to take
place."
"Never No, see plainly that she
does not care for meat least not as
care for her. | have struggled against
this conviction, and thought | might
win her at last. But she says neither
yes or no, and | feel sure she is partly
led on by not liking to disappont her
friends-yourself first aud foremost, for
1t is easy to see you have great inilu.
ence over her. Even if she were to
say yes to day, don't think should
wish it. / feel | have not won her
heart, and it has always been my dream
and wish to marry for love-jove on
both sides. So thanking you over and
over again for your great kindness, !
have decided 10 90 and take my leave.
M. de Belandi was in his garden,
smoking his cigar, when this CONVERSE
ton took place; and he continued 10
pace up and down between the orange
trees in silence. Then, suddenly turn
ing to the other, he said:
:" shall 60 at once to the Mason
Pontneuf, and you can follow me by
and by"
NJ A. de VILLAIN shook his head, for
was convinced that his friends we'll
meant interference would do no good, |
and he remained thinking it All over,