New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-07
LOVE THAT PURIFIES.
BY HENRIETTA A. DUFF.


.oon was lighted up, Flambeaus flashed along
the paneed wallis a great blazing fire leaped
upon and licked the sides of the yawning hearth.
The table was spread. The curtains were drawn.
Outside, the wind went bowling over the shelter,
less plains OF BauX Inside al was warm ana
The Marquis de Baux sat at the mead OF his table
Yolande, hls elder daughter was beside him OPP
posite sat Madame Dicken, the aunt OF the iamlly.
Eulalie de BauX was near her. And the two re-
m.ining sides, Of the table were respectively
neatly brushed and buttoned cassock, and by
Henry Trevilyan, Esquire. distant kinsman, and
close friend OF the family.
Dinner was over, but there vet another cere-
mony to be accomplished 1t was New-Years Eve,
and this night it had been the custom OF the De
Baux for generations to drink each others health.
Pierre accordingly went round the table with q
onc-necked bottle. There was q little clatter and
clInking of glasses then the Marquis rose and said
solemnly Let drink to the health of the absent :;
and everybody raised their glasses, and drank in
Let us drink to the health of the present say L.
cried Madame Dicken with superior air. Once
more everyone slipped their wine, and then put
The Cures turn came next. Not that ho had any
special turn for oratory, poor man. His speech
was well meant, but it was lengthy 1t was of a
comprehensive nature, and embraced the Marquis,
stranger within his gates Then suddenly, and
without any sort of warning. the poor man sank
quite back in his chair, and rubbed his face all over
with yellow cotton pocket-handkerchef.
Eulalie followed in his steps She made neat 1e;
her own neat little self She delivered it with
great point aud emphasis, after the admirable
fashion in which she had been wont TO address the
sisters of the Sacre C@ur, on the yearly occasion
of their presenting her with good conduct prize.
Poor pretty Yolande, sitting yonder' with her
toned to receive good conduct prizes.
Yolande and Irevilyan were now the only de-
fauters among the toast givers. But lips were
tightly closed and Yolande's eyes turned away
from the company. One could see the tremulous
movements of one little hand, aud the soft pink
outline of one shepey arm. The droop of the head
also visible and so was the arch of the slender
throat But these were ALL
Madame Dickeu, who was probably well accus-
toned to the sight of these beauties, began to wax
Tome Yolande' she cried, make haste with
your toast. You keep all waiting. Here is NJ.
rOtre cousin quite tired out,
Let NJ. cousin speak then, said the girl, lift
ing her head at length QUAINT MOI give no saPte
tonight Madame Dicken looked furious, the
ened, while as for Henry Trevyan, he knew not
Yoande of seven Years ago. What a sweet, bright
faced loving child it had been, wild a hedge
steel. This pale, somewhat sullen- looking girl was
surely a stranger to him. and yet she had the child
Henry made his speech notwithstanding these
eogtations. II was capital one, brief brisk and
the table Henry led Yolande out of the dining
room. She placed her little hand on his arm. She
lifted mp to his sweet, pale grateful face. The
was there instead. Her lips were parted, but she
did not speak. Do not thank me so much, said
Henry, though she had spoken never a word. I
will gladly make speeches for you all your life if
you will only let me- :. And now perhaps, the
astute reader will guess how it was that this Eng
lshman should be passing his New Year among these
French people; Not that Yolande had the re-
! The drawng-room was lighted up too The chairs
and tables were pushed against the walls, the rugs
servants were already assembled. There was
little group OF musicians hddling away near the
Keen their feet still The Marnnis led ont o his
housekeeper, Yoande followed with the oldest man
OF the village, Eulalie had selected youth even
art haxy Had ahottt
balls. 1850 ' ANY WV
Madame Dicken looked as If she would have liked
jig with the Cure. But that reverend gentleman
had already seated himself i'll a comfortable corner
and was enjoying sundry surreptitious pinches of
snuff: She therefore kindly took compassion upon
Trevilyan and presently chasseeing toward hi IN
in an airy manner. After the second dance, NJ de
billiards.
But the fun in the dancng-room continued With
renewed yigor. the music played faster and faster
the steps hurried backward and forward it was o
wild stampede OF steps and gambols. Even Yolande
caught the Infection. She danced with everyone
young men and maidens, old men and matronS all
In turn, were her partners. Once Henry Trevilyan
held out his hand, but she shook her head and went
on 10 keep her engagement with an olive-oresser.
Eulalie, on the contrary, was willing enough to
dance with her English cousin.
lou enjoy this and so does Yolande,' he said,
during one of the pauses in their dance. But what
was the matter with her at dinner? She did not
seem to be quite herself then
She was herself then and she is herself now re-
Piled Eulalie. She is often like that silent and
She never was so as q child, said Henry. .But
1 suppose it is the excitable French nature which
makes her able to pass from one mood into another
=, Yes. OF coprse-we are both French returned
the literal Eulalie.
Henry smiled That was not what he meant
AT any rate she dances still we'll as she did when
she was child he continued. Il remember almost
the last time was here. you had dance--you were
both children them and there was another child
present. too-a boy, think
Yes! Raou dc Longuevile was here then. He
and Yolande We're always quarrelling, and always
making it up. That was the last dance we had.
we have had none since till tonight, because we
have all mourned for our country Even Euialie
was French enough to be patriotic.
- The last time, was itY And what has become of
DE Longueyilief Does Yoandc quarrel with him
still asked Henry. feeling vaguely uncomfortable
- OH we never him now We have not seen
knows what has become of Raoul de i4ongueville'
Eniaiies voice was hike trumpet. 1t had certain
room. s" VIZ
foande, who was passing with her olive-aresser
looked up with an angry flush PERHAPS She
thought such topic as war should not have henn
nirouuced az the iestiye scene. A lamp went ont
NTH sniii A fiddle string snapped and broke
Brought III, with liqueurs and sweetmeats There
was tea, too, for those who might like it, Yolande
seeGled ANXIOUS concerning its composition
the milk you like t Her soft clear eyes glanced
pale cheeks Were usbed S d fee d har HeI
dancing still. ~ "
1t is all right answered Trevilyan. Though the
Yea was as black as ink, and the milk had evidently
been boiled yet coming from such hands it natur.
ally tasted Ike nectar.
Yoiande looked up q little doubtfully Are you
sure 7 she asked. I'VE don't often make tea here
except as tisane when anyone is sick or sorry
Wen, was SICK and sorry too, and you and you,
sea nave c9mforted inep said Henry looking at her
. y il not bedi ime = said Euialie yawninr """s'
TO be sure it Isl cried Madame bicken, suddenly