Nebraska advertiser., 1882-06-29

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not occur TO him that he too, must have q =
peared TO Pauline that night under new aud
very different aspect from that presented by
the gruf aud unamlable young man who had
been offered her for husband. Let that have
! been as IL may, however, IL Is not on record
| that Mademoiselle Lestrange made any obser-
| walton OF this latter kind to her mother.
Lady Lelgh's ball was but the first OF a
| goodly number of dances and "at homes" at
| which the cousins we're destined TO meet. Hugh
| told himself that 10 attempt avoiding such
meetings would be childish and affected, and
| that, moreover, as Pauline showed no evil
| dence OF embarrassment or annoyance In his
| presence, but, on the contrary, most natural
and perfect gaietv OF speech and manner he
| ought not To consider himself an obstacle to
| her enjo mcnt.
One circumstance only began, little byittle,
| TO disturb the peaceful equanimty OF liugh's
| existence. There was a certain co onel Spiers
| Gordon, a tall handsome officer OF the Hus-
| sars, with VIII IN Pauline danced much, who
rode often beside her in the park, and whose
| presence at Madame Lestrange's afternoon
| tea was not unfrequent IL was Hugh nd.
| mi ted TO him elf, supremely ridiculous TO feel
ANNOYED by such paltry incidents as these; for
| the Colonel was man OF the best reputation
personally, and mis- pedigree and for une were
all that Mayfair could desire. Hugh exam
| ined his mind deeply on the subject, aud found
| here nothing to account for the incipent
mistrus aud discomfort which this acqualnt-
ance caused him Pauline was his cousin,
certainly, but In the third degree only, and his
| interest In her welfare was comparatively re-
| mote and OF a merely friendly character
| Doubtless his uneaspess arose from the in
| congruity presented TO his min by the idea of
| a marriage possibly iaking place between 80
| young girl aud the Colonel; for the latter
must certainly have attained his fortieth year.
while she was not yet nineteen. Hugh had
| sufficient regard for his cousin to feel some
| sOlicitud for her happiness as wife, and to
| her N M ahau 1atl net itah
| In age than this gallant Hussar Young Le-
| strange was nota little cOmforted mt having
| thus satisfac orily solved the secret OF his
| disquietude. IL had looked at the outset so
| suspiciously like latent flame OF jealousy
| that to feel assured OF the harmlessness OF its
| true nature was most gra flying. To have
| been Jealous, even IN the smallest degree
would have implied the existence of feeling
| In regard TO Pauline which IL was absolutely
and eternally impossible he should ever enter
tain; and he was well acquainted with the fact
that she, on her part, held similar immutable
| views In respect of himself.
One brilliant May noon ide Mademoiselle
| Lestrange entering the breakfast room on her
| return from her morning ride, found her
| mother apparently absorbed in meditation
| over letter which lay open on table at her
! elbow beside cup OF untasted chocolate.
! When she saw Pauline she started slightly
and refolled her letter, but, observing her
daughters eye upon it as she did so, said
lightly:
"From Colonel Gordon, dearest"
| mo bad news, | hopeP' asked Pauline In
the same tone, gathering up the folds OF her
habit, and contemplating the splashes upon
With smile Madame Lestrange put the
| letter into her daugh er's hand.
Pauline read it hastily, the rosy color gather
| ing brightly over her face and throat; then,
! turning again to her mother, she said in low,
| tremulous tone:
$50 he wants me to be Madame Spiers Cor
| dom
"rhey call 1t Mrs in this country" replied
| her mo her correctyely, and with an express
sion of playfulne are
"Well, mamma, van you please say 'No'T
| mol" echOfi Madame Les range, astonish.
ed surely, my derrest, YOU don't mean to
refuse such an offer MS thisP
"Why should gnis2t it. |" returned Pauline.
| ~ do not care fo5 ..3'as / ought 3 care for
husband, aud 1t would not be right to say
| 'Yes.n'
"You plunge me in despair, Pauline; this is
| the second most excellent chance you have had
within four months and yod decline both un-
| conditionaly Tell me my child; is there
any motive FOR this behavior on your partl Do
| you-cau you be thinking OF anybody esel'
AS she spoke, Madame Lestrange rose and
| took her daughter's hand caressingly in her
| own. But tAcre was no motion in Pauline's
gay rejonder.
want to marry Colonel Gordon, that's all. Is
1t so very tneXpl ablep
And you would not marry Hugh either;
such a charming intelligent young man, too.
and exac ly suited to you in every way. ESt.e2e
| dtBtcie, cette cheye PauineW
Pauline turned abruptly away, and seated
herself by the window.
= wish Hugues had always been what he is
now," she exclaimed almos fercely
Que diS-tu ld!' cried her mother, doubling
her ears.
"Why, that It was his own fault said I
| hated him." continued the girl, 4 looking
away from her mother; she c. lse to make
| himself rude aud disagreeable aud of course
thought him o lious-thenl Bat ever since we
| have been here he has been quite different, aud
nobody would suppose he was the same man.
Therel / have said too much but couldn't
| help It, YouSnust keep my secret, mamma
and tell Colonel Gordon that Pauline is a spoilt
| child aud won't marry"
Madame Lestrange caught her daughter
impulsively in her arms
| "My poor darling child, never did dream
OF such romance as this Tell me, tell thy
| good mother, hOu wouldst not say "Non TO
Hughes would he but ask thee OF us now"
| Pauline burst iuto a shower of passionate
tears.
4Halheweuse eafant" cried Madame Le-
strange, "what can we do for theel 1t is too
| late ~
Precisely at this critical moment the door
OF the room was opened aud brother Jacques
walked in
"Why," cried he, standing aghast, "mother
-Paulnel QFy ut-a donc5"
pauline is a little goose" answered
Madame, with fearful effort at. playfulness
! "Colone Gordon has written the most charm
| letter, asking my permission to make her an
offer of marriage, and she will have nothing
| to say to him"
"Well, hats unlucky for him, certainly
rejoned jacques; "but what has my little
sister got tO cry aboutl Has she, perchance
been scolded for wanting to say unkiud things
! TO the Colonelp
"Of course not" replied his mother, un-
easily. ~ told YOU she was little goose
that's all Now run up stairs, Pauline, and
change your dress, dear; and you, Jacques,
ring for the luncheon tray"
"Girls are certainly odd creatures" said
| Lacnnns [ himsell ns he lighlnl n cinur ON tie