The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1882-06-09

-copQQttx preaentedt t. hia mini hx the Aes Qf
. marriage possibly 1Sking place between %
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 a. wife, and 70
wish for her Q husband 1T least more suitable
in age than this gallant Hussar. Young Le-
strange was nota little comforted ut having
thus satisfac orily solved the secret OF his
disquietude. It had looked at the outset 20
suspiciously like latent fame Of jealousy,
that TO feel assured OF the harmlessness OF its
true nature was most era flying. To have
been jealous, even In the smallest degree,
would have implied the existence of q feeling
In regard to Pauline which 1t was absolutely
and eternaIly 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 ner
elbow beside cup OF untasted chocolate.
When she saw Pauline, she started slightly,
and refolied her letter, but, observing her
daughters eye upon 1t - she did 30, said
lightly:
i.From Colonel Gordon, dearest"
"No bad news, l hoper asked Pauline in
the same tone, gathering up the folds OF her
habit, and contemplating the splashes upon II.
With q smile Madame Lestrange put the
letter into her daugh er's hand.
ing brightly over her face and throat; then,
turning again toher mother, she said in low,
tremulous tone:
$50 he wants me to bs Madame Spiers Cor
DON"
her mother correctively, and with an express
sion Of playfulness
"Weli, mamma, will you please say sNo'l"
s'No" echoed Madame Lesirange astonish-
ed. 'sSurely, my dearest, YOU don't mean to
refuse such an offer as this"
''Why should accept it," returned Pauline.
81 do not care for him as ought to care for
husband, and it would not be right to say
'Yes."'
'.You plunge me in despair, Pauline; this is
the second most excellent chance you have had
within four months. and you decline both I'M
conditionally. Tell me, my child; is there
any motive for this behavior on YOUR part! Do
you-can You be thinking Of anybody elsen
As she spoke, Madame Lestrange rose and
took her daughters hand caressingly in her
own. But there was no motion in Pauline's
gay rejoinder.
Dear mamma, Of course not. l don't
want to marry Colonel Gordon, that's all Is
it 30 very inexplicablea"
Anu you WOuN uoG WorTy IluSu citucf
such a charming intelligent young man, too.
and exac ly suited to you in every way. Est-sAe
diftci,e, cette chere Paulinel"
Pauline turned abruptly away, and seated
herself by the window.
IL wish Hughes had always been what he is
now" she exclaimed almost fiercely.
"Que dis-tu la!'' cried her mother, doubling
her ears.
"Why, that 1t was his own fault I said l
hated him." continued the girl, still looking
away from her mother; she chose to make
himself rude and disagreeable, and Of course
thought him odious-then! But ever since we
have been here he has been quite different, and
nobody would suppose he was the same man.
Therel I have said too much, but couldn't
help it. You must keep my secret, mamma,
and tell Colonel Gordon that Pauline is aspoilt
child and won't marry"
Madame Lestrange caught her daughter
in her arms.
of such romance as this! Tell me, tell thy
good mother, thou wouldst not say "No'' to
Hughes would he but ask thee Of US now"
Pauline burst into shower of passionate
tears.
6 lMalhexreuse entantn' cried Madame Le-
strange, what can we do for theea It is too
lateW
Precisely at this critical moment the door
of the room was opened and brother Jacques
walked in.
"Why," cried he, standing aghast, ''mother
-Paulinei GUY w-t-i donc?'
"Pauline Il little goose" answered
Madame, with fearful effort at playfulness.
Colonel Gordon has written the most charm
letter, asking my permission to make her an
offer of marriage, and she' will have nothing
swell, that's unlucky for him, certainly"
rejoined Jacques; "but what has my little
sister got to cry abouta Has she, perchance
Al f0S In <n ind
to the COlonelG'
"Of course not" replied his mother, un-
easily. 81 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
Jacques t. himself as he lighted a cigar on the
door step that afternoon. "Fancy crying like
Niobe because somebody whom one doesn't
care about wants t. marry one! What an ex-
cess Of hearth"
He strolled into the park and presently at
an accustomed rendezvous met his friend,
Hugh. and forthwith related the episode.
$50 you think she has refused him defini.
dvely!" asked the elder cousin when the story
was finished.
81 understand so, certainly. And It is easy
to see that by doing 50 she has greatly vexed
nv mother. 1t was an excellent proposal,
you see."
~ see QOLnln& Oh Tue KIM, Tcpleu hugh,
with some heat. "Confound Colonel Gordon
I never liked the fellow from the beginning"
"SapriSti!" CALCULATED Jacques; ".hat can
be have done to you? He's q ca :ital fellow,
and never had q bad word for any man."
Hugh threw away the cigar he was smok-
81 don't mean to say he ever offended or in
ured me personally" said he; "but mean
hat I never liked his being so much with your
sister. She ought to marry younger man,
Jacques"
swell, I daresay she WILL" returned JACQUES,
"Pauline is great favOrite. But
hen, you know. the Coloneps position is
'eally first-rate."
Hugh turned on his cousin almost wrath.
'ully.
Cant you leave the Colonel alone?" he
:ried. "She said No. and 1 suppose there's
IN end of the thing.'
''My good Hughes, don't be in such q deuce
# rage about it. Upon my word, if didn |
lnow how matters stood be ween YOU and |
Pauline, would swear you We e Jealous"
"I-jealous! what-of Paulinel Confound |
t all, I've dropped my cigar somewhere |
live me light, old man. |
Yes" repeated Jacques steadily. looking |
lis friend full In the face, as they paused a |
moment while Hugh kindled fresh cigar, ssto |
ell you The truth, l should certainly have |
bought you jealous. Come; is it sol Have |
'ou betrayed yourselfr'
"Look here, Jacques, old fellow said
Hugh, after pause of br eff duration occu- |
lied by several violent puffs at the cigar. 81 |