The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-08-31

eft there were, monsieur, I shoul,
never have proposed my plot" she re
plies, with dignity. "It is because
have watched you all these weeks, anC
know that your love is worthy of my
sister, that L trust you. But it is mo-
with ones heart that one pretends
Enta', it is with you to consent or de
cline.
"Declinel" he echoes, with a pas
sion none the less intense for its quiet
ness. "Does dying man decline his
last chance of life, however desperate
it may bep"
The next week is full of bitter
surprises to the proud and pa.
tient woman, whose pathetic cling.
ing to her new-found peace Lucille SO
well understands. Though it is long
since she has permitted herself to re-
member anything of the lover of her
youth except his jealousy, she has be-
lieved in his faithfulness as utterly as
she dreaded it, and when she receives
De Palissier's note asking the consent
of his old friend to his love for her
sister, the pain she feels bewilders and
dismays her. With a smile whose
cynicism is as much for herself as for
him; she gives the note to Lucille, ex-
pecting an instant rejection of the man
whose motive in pursuing them they
had both so misunderstood. But with
gay laugh, "Then my sympathy has
been without cause" the girl cries.
"By all means let him come, my Jeanne
1t cannot wound you, who have long
ago ceased to regret him but he is
the best parti in Paris. and tres bel
homn1e for his age,
1t is quite true there can be no OBJ
lection to the wealthy and distinguished
Marquis de Palissier if Lucille is will
ing-none but the pain at her heart
which she is ashamed even to confess
to herself. So note is written fixing
an hour for his first visit, and Madame
De Miramon prepares herself to meet
the man whom she last saw alone in
all the passionate anguish of lovers
quarrel. Is this wild futter in her
throat sign of the peace she has re-
solved to possess? Thank God she
can at least promise herself that what
ever she may suffer, neither he nor
Lucille shall guess it.
There is a sound of wheels in the
courtyard, and she rises, with a hasty
glance at her fair reflection in
mirror.
"IIis old friend p she murmurs,
scornfully. "I dare say look an old
woman beside Lucille"
Then she turns with a look of grace
full welcome, for the door is thrown
open, and a servant announces:
an. lie Marquis de Palissier."
Nothing could give me greater
pleasure than to receive as my sisters
suitor the old friend of whom the
world tells me such noble things" She
utters her little speech as naturally as
though she had not rehearsed it dozen
times, and holds out her pretty hand
to him.
To her surprise he does not take it. |
How should she guess that he dares
not trust himself to touch calmly the |
hand he would have risked his life to |
kiss any time these ten years /?
"You are too good, madame" he
replies, very low and she reflects that
he is of course little embarrassed.
am afraid you had much to forgive
IN those days so long ago, but time, 1
rust, has changed me-"
at would be sad indeed if time did
lot give us wisdom and coldness in
for all it takes from u.s." she
says, with quick thrill of pain that
le should speak Of ten years as if it
we're an eternity.
"Not coldness," he exclaimed, COM
ng nearer, and looking at her with
yes that make her feel girl again.
If you could see my heart, you"
"May enter, my sister?' asks the
ray voice of Lucille, as she appears
rom behind the portiere at so for
unate a moment for the success of her
dot that it is to be feared she had
'een eavesdropping.
De Palissier turns at once and
presses her hand to his lips.
"Mademoiselle," he says, tenderly,
am at your feet"
Then begins charming little comedy
# love-making, in which Lucille plays
Ter role with pretty coquetry, and he
With infinite zeal.
And the chaperon bends over her
ace-work and hears the caressing
ones she thought she had forgotten,
nd sees the tender glances she i'm
gined she had ceased to regret-all
.iven to her young sister in her unre-
.arded presence. Dear God! how is
he to keep the peace she so prays for,
her future is to re haunted by this
host from her past? She is very pa
lent and used to suffering, but at
ength she can endure no longer. and
ot daring to leave the room she
loves away to distant writing-table,
there she is at least beyond hearing
There is an instant pause between
ne conspirators, and while De Palis-
er's eyes wistfully follow Madame De
firamon, Lucille seizes her opportu-
ity with a promptness that would
ave done credit to a Richelieu or a
alleyrand, or any other prince of
chemers.
Courage, MONSIEUR she muir
lurs. "She has been cold to me
yer since your note came. You
'ould make a charming .jeu,ae
renter at the Francois, only when
ou say anything very tender, do re-
lember to look at me instead of
eanne." And she breaks into a laugh
utterly amused that he presently
'ughs too, and the sound of their