The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-12-01
great surprise she saw that her father
was actually smiling.

- .
wife, and you, knowing that my daugh-
ter has no fortune, love her and would
marry herr"
''Yes, sir" simply replied Allan, won
dering as much as Marie at his question
er's sudden change of manner.
''Wel, sir, began this conversation
in anger and I end it in friendship. You
remind me of my own youth. But my
daughter is too young to think of marry
ing yet. Good morning"
Going back to Marie he drew her arm
through his and led her to the house,
leaving Allen to take his departure in
silent surprise.
When they entered the hall, Mr.. De
We're said in his usual impassive tones:
"Marie, I hope this will be the last
shall hear OF such nonsense. That is q
nice young man, but, child, he is no mate
for De We're. Keep your fancy free;
some day We may return to our native
land, and there you can wed in your own
station. Now go to Stephanie.
"Keep her fancy free !" Marie was of
an impulsive race; her heart once given,
no power could cause her to change. Mr..
De Vere's warning had come too late.
The next week her father had occasion
to leave his home, and one afternoon
Stephanie called Marie into her room.
Little one, wouldn't you like to GO to
Miss Adams party? You haven't said
more about it, but know you
would enjoy it,
Marie's eyes sparkled; then her face
clouded.
"But, Stephanie, papa wouldn't like it,
and last, but not least, I have no dress. "
81 asked your papa, and he said, Let
her go, it will not matter, and he gave
me leave to look through your mother S
things"
There, upon Stephanie's bed, lay a
delicate India muslin as fine as if woven
in Titania's realms. So, robed all in
white, with cardinal rosebuds in her dark
hair, Marie went to her first party. Mrs.
sharp eyes soon noticed the lover
like manner of her son toward Miss De
We're, and later in the evening, when con-
versing with her young guest, she casu-
ally informed her of an expected visit
they were to have soon from Allan s be-
trothed.
"Allan never told me he was engaged, :"
Marie exclaimed impulsively.
"Did he not? Oh, my son is some
thing of fiirt, and doesn't like to spoil
bis chances of fun in society. But lie is
engaged to Miss Evra Ward. They have
known oaoh other einoo thoy ohi1
lren."
If Marie had been more worldly wise,
she might have detected the false ring in
Mrs. Adams voice; but of course she be-
lieved what she heard.
Soon after Stephanie came for he,, ,and
making her adieu quietly to her hostess,
she slipped unnoticed from the room.
The next day Mr.. De We're returned,
and at his request Marie went to him at
once into the library.
"Child," he said, chow would you like
to go to our native France with me p
Marie looked at him bewildered.
eyes, I mean it. J have taken pas
sage on the steamer for the fifteenth
You and Stephanie will need to hurry
your preparation.
Marie slowly comprehended what he
Then the thought of the decep-
tion Allan had practiced upon her came
to her mind. What cared she where she
went now2 With feverish eagerness
Marie watched for Allan that day, and
the next, and the next; for she had de-
termined to speak to him and ask him if
what his mother said was true.
But he did not come.
Marie was proud girl, and when the
time for their departure arrived, not even
Stephanie suspected the grief that was
hidden deep in her young heart.
Not till they could see the shores of
France did Mr.. De We're tell Marie that
they returned to their native land to take
their positions among the wealthiest and
proudest.
"My father, the Marquis De We're, has
relented," he explained to his wondering
daughter, land has sent for me, his only
son. So, child, you see now WHY I inter-
fered between you and that young Adams.
With your face you may look for a bril-
liant future
Then Marie was led by. obsequious re-
tainers through stately balls and rooms
furnished with princely luxury, to where,
upon a couch, an old man waited their
coming.
The meeting between the father and
son, who had parted in anger twenty
years before, was very affecting. Then
the old marquis held out his hand to
Marie.
$50 this is my grand daughter? Child
l am glad l have seen you before 1 die.
You have the face of the De Veres."
Five years make great changes. As
the last one rolled away, Marie found her.
self, young as she was, sole mistress of
the De We're estates. Her father had
never enjoyed very good health, and he
had not survived the death of the old
marquis long, and thus Marie was left,
save for her old nurse, Stephanie, entire
~ alone in the world.
Since she had come to France, mere
girl of seventeen, she had seen great
deal of the world, and many a wealthy
suitor had sued for her hand, but only
to be courteously but firmly refused.
s'I long for England Stenhan;o eba