The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1880-03-11

"You do intrude awfully, john" she
said, giving him her hand; there are
two persons in the house who will be
enraged at your coming" =,
Zone is your aunt" he said, coldly.
And the other is-who"
Never mind, come and get some
breakfast The bell is ringing and l am
hungry. Oh, you needn't hesitate about
the Invitation; we all ask whom we
please. / have had one or two persons
to breakfast. They will already have
laid place for YOU"
She was turning away, half waiting
for him, when he took her hand:
eff you are going to marry him will
not sit at his table. Tell me the truth |;
don't play with me, Margaret"
She had never heard his voice so
passionate; it was almost commanding.
"What is your advice about the mat
terp" she asked, innocently, turning
once more toward him and dropping her
eyes.
"I advise you to marry him if you
want TO-" he replied, almost angrily.
She looked into his face with her
sweetest smile.
=" And if l do not want to, John9 If
/ hate to and wont?"
breakfast waiting" he replied, quietly.
They went out into the tent-hung
breakfast-room, where the company
were assembled, and Miss Willis was
edited to see how very cordial her aunt's
greeting of the newcomer was after the
first involuntary scowl of recognition.
AS for the marquis, he was so truly
and gracefully courteous that Margaret
added few explanatory words to her
introduction. "Mr. Norton was a
schoolfellow of my brothers," she said.
Il have known him all my life."
She compared the two while they
talked. The marquis was tall, slender
and pale, and his beautiful face had
that look of mildness which is the re-
suit of pride and culture rather than of
mild disposition. One might have
said of this man that his face was calm
and unruffied, not because his passions
were not strong, but because of their
strength, which carried all before it. 1t
is obstructed passion which graves the
face. Whatever the Marquis of San
Giorgio had wished to do, that he had
done, and whatever lie had wished to
possess had never been long denied him.
The two gentlemen talked little on
political subjects. John was now q
senator. His ideas were quite clear,
and were well expressed. To be sure,
his French was not chopped quite fine
! enough; he had the English accent
and pronounced too conscientiously al
the little words which he should only
have brushed; but he spoke grammati.
cally, and, some way, it seemed con.
descension for him to speak French al
all.
81 must make him pi actice talking
with me against the time when he viii
be president and will have to talk witt
the four Winds" thought Miss Willis
She saw with real gratitude and ad
miration that the marquis, perceivine
that his guest did not understand
readily, spoke more slowly and dis
} t!nctly than usual, and sometimes re
peated.
After breakfast they all went wander
ing through the large, shady rooms
Mrs. Willis fastened herself upon thC
newcomer, and confded to him th,
story of Margacet's approaching mar
7 riage.
! "Whom is she to marry3" he asked
! why, the marquis, of course
Haven't you heardP"
lis sheP" he asked, dryly.
The marquis stood beside Margaret
"You have known this gentleman al
9 your ife?" he asked, gently, but a
} once.
"Oh, yes" She was beginning t,
feel the painful embarrassment of
< whom she admires, and who fears tina
: she should have refused him NOR
promptly. To be sure, she had ex
= pressly stipulated that her consenting t.
7 spend week at his villa should not b
l taken as an encouragement of his suit
< still. she was now sorry for havin
t come.
! His wife is in Rome with him?
l the marquis pursued, watching his com
e panion's cast face.
l "Mr. Norton is not married." she re
S piled.
D There was q moment of silence; the
e he exclaimed: How long am ] to wal
e for your answer, signorina? If you di
: not know before, you must know now,
;. emphasizing the last word and glancin
!, to where John, imprisoned in a distan
a corner by Mrs. Willis, was yet watchin
4 their conversation.
e 81 can answer you now, marquis,
4 so before. Forgive me-"
{; "Enough" he said, passionately
: Then, making an effort, added with gen
4 tie GOODNESS, 81 would spare you th
e pain of an explanation"
e You do spare me pain" she sale
d with TN almost pleading look in he
II face. :" esteem you so highly, and
y should like to please you if l could"
5 "You will please me in consultin
|. your own happiness" he said, with
: proud smile.
o "He's got his quietus," thought job
s. Norton, land he takes it rather finel,
e ought not to stay here any longer.
p am going back to Rome now," he sal
somewhat abruptly to Mrs. Willi
e Good-by; suppose 1 shall see 20
g there some time or otherp"
e She ignored the good-by, and 70
d lowed him as he went toward Ma
& garet.
2, The marquis, seeing his movemen
t. recollected an engagement. "Plea
ask your friend to stay to dinner" l
Ie said. hastily. 81 shall return in {
1t hour" And he left the room.
le "When and where am l to see "
ID again, Margaret" John asked, co
scious of Mrs. Willis angry face at b
20 elbow; 81 am going to the static
y now"
le "I'll walk down across the green wi
a, you," she said, "and we can talk
N over"
" "But, Margaret, it is too hot to
I'd out now," her aunt interposed, sharpl
"It doesn't look well to go out at moo
er no one does"
is "This is one Of the exceptions" t
o, niece replied.