The Canton advocate. [volume] (Canton, D.T. [S.D.]) 1877-1897, 1881-11-10
MADELINE.

LORD QS Time was over ucatn.
--Sminbu,ne.
MADELINE.
"Was there ever such an unfortunat
pirlP" exclaimed Mademoiselle D'lbel
van, az she threw herself, with cviden
annoyance, into the great old-fashione
chair, drawn up in front of the hug
fireplace where blazed the great log
and faggots; for those were the day
when our modern fireplaces, CRATES o
stoves were unknown, and even
known, would have shocked the idea
ofcomfort and plenty hereditary to tn
old chateau.
The young chatelaine, despite thu
look Of perplexity on her face, was Ger
tainly pretty picture, as, curled up il
the great arm chair, with feet encaset
in high.heeled slippers, with great Grim
son bows, nesting on the quaint tapes
try footstool; and what with ruffies ant
panier, and rare old lace and braids o
hair, she looked not unlike one CT oul
modern bellies; for, after all, fashion
like history, repeats itself.
"Was there ever girl with so much
to perplex and to annoy her?' she con
tinued. "Here am l, young, with q
fair share ofgood looks, boastirg | dare
not say how many Quarters of nobility
with lands broad and valuable, money
and Jewels at command, and yet per
fectly miserable, tormented by the
strangest fancies. Suitors have l old
and young, rich and poor, and yet !
dare yield myself to none for fear that
my name or my wealth is what they
seek, and not myself. This all comes
from my being left an orphan. Had
my parents lived, / suppose | should
have been. as soon as | reached the
proper age, presented to my future hus-
band, and all would have been well. /
wonderif / should have had any OF
these stupid fancies about love, ETC.,
that trouble me now? Or, better yet,
had been born in the valley, should
have coquetted with Pierre and Silvain,
listened to all their pretty speeches,
then gone off and married Colin, to
whom my heart had long ago been
given. My face my dover, should
willingly have been indebted to it for
any lover. 1t certainly is very bad, and
what is still worse, / see no way to rem.
edy the evil r and the bright young
head bowed down until it rested wear
lily on an arm oftho chair, with her own
ooft ro,,rIod M, ou n p;11nuy arr
and earnestly she gazed into the bright
embers, then suddenly she started up
with an exclamation Of delight. "Oh!''
she cried, II have it at last But hush
even these dumb things must not know
Of it, or it might spoil all. Nina alone
must be my confident"
Two days afterward, plain carriage,
bearing the Ibervan arms drove quick
lp into the little hamlet of v, a
dependence of the old baronial castle
Of La Roche, and in q few minutes all
the village knew that Nina, old Nanone's
daughter, had come to visit her old
mother, bringing with her a fellow-ser-
want, young and handsome enough to
be . grand duchess, declared the
loungers to be found even in that rural
spot, and who had caught glimpse OF
the two girls as they alighted at old
NanOue's pretty cottage.
Il was well Nina had closed the door
so hastily, or the old woman's excla.
nation might have furnished food fol
further gossip.
"You here, my migpone! Ciel
what brings you in such a disguise
mademoiselle7" exclaimed Nanone, al
she recognized the face shaded by the
plain peasants cap.
Hush! dear Nanone; I'm not to be
madenoiselie, but plain Madeline, YOU
niece, 30 don't say word. and be :
good, kind nurse, and let me have my
own way and the young girl sealed
the lips OF the old woman with such
shower Of kisses, that, to the old crea
ture, would have excused far create
indiscretions than she was likely to re
gard Mademoiselle D'Iberyan's presen
escapade.
Mdle. Ibervan had already been
week with old Nanone, and owing I,
the inclement weather, had been KEEP
within doors, until, at length, she hal
become very weary Of her assumes
position. Then came dark forebod
ings. The peasants shook their head
mOurnfully, and spoke despondently Q
the terrors Of winter such as the sever
fall indicated, and as Madeline listene,
she gradually began to realize tina
there MIGHT he mora tro,,hlo thor, h q