The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-06-10

cOngru1ty presented 10 MS mlnu DIV the idea of
a marriage possibly taking place between SO
young a 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
solicitude for her happiness as wife, and to
wish for her husband at least more suitable
In age than this gallant Hussar. Young Lee
strange was nota little comforted at having
thus satisfactorily solved the secret of his
disquietude. 1t had looked at the outset so
suspiciously like latent flame OF jealousy
that to feel assured of the harmlessness of It's
true nature was most gratifying. To have
been Jealous, even in the smallest degree,
would have implied the existence OF feeling
in regard to Pauline which it was absolutely
and externally 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 noOntide Mademoiselle
Lestrange entering the breakfast room on her
return from her morning ride, found her
mother apparently absorbed in meditation
over a letter which lay open on table at her
elbow beside a cup OF untasted chocolate.
When she saw Pauline, she started slightly,
and refolded her letter, but, observing her
daughters eye upon it as she did so, said
lightly:
.sFrom Colonel Gordon, dearest"
''No bad news, l hopes'' asked Pauline in
the same tone, gathering up the folds OF her
habit, and contemplating the splashes upon it.
With smile Madame Lestrange put the
letter into her daugh er's hand.
Pauline readit hastily, the rosy color gather
ing brightly over her face and throat; then,
turning again to her mother, she said in a low,
tremulous tone:
$50 he wants me to be Madame Spiers Cor
DOM
ssThey call it MRS in this country,n replied
her mother correctively, and with an express
sion of playfulness. -
"Well, mamma, will you please say ~ q ~
ssNoin echoed Madame Lestrange, astonish-
ed. surely, 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
sYes.n'
"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 vour part! Do
you--can you be thinking of anybody else?'
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.
q Dear mamma, Of course not. / don't
want to marry Colonel Gordon, that's all. Is
it so very inexplicable''
And you would not marry Hugh either;
such charming intelligent young man, too.
and exactly suited to you In every way. Est-etle
diftcile, cette cltere Pauline!"
Pauline turned abruptly away, and seated
herself by the window.
u wish Hughes had always been what he is
now" she exclaimed almost fercely.
Quedjs-tu la?' cried her mother, doubling
her ears
'sWhy, that It was his own fault / said
hated him." continued the girl, still looking
away from her mother; he 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 have said too much but couldn't
help it. You must keep my secret, mamma,
and tell Colonel Gordon that Pauline is spoilt
child and won't marry"
&C Madame Lestrange caught her daughter
impulsively in her arms
g NV poor darling child, never did dream
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.
g Nalheuresse enta,,ti'' cried Madame Le-
strange, what can we do for thees 1t is too
late!"
Precisely at this critical moment the door
of the room was opened and brother Jacques
walked in.
''Why.n cried he, standing aghast, ''mother
-Paulines Guy u-t-a doncg"
sPauline is little goose,'' answered
Madame, with fearful effort at playfuluess.
Colonel 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, that's unlucky for him, certainly
rejoined jacques; "but what has my little
sister got to cry about? Has she, perchance
been scolded for wanting to say unkind things
to the Colonel?"
"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"
tGirls are certainly odd creatures" said
Jacques t. himself as he lighted cigar on the
d,or-ste hat afternoon. Fancy crying like
Niobe because somebody whom one doesn't
care about wants t. marry one! What an ex-
cess of heartp
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-
tivelya" asked the elder cousin when the story
was finished.
81 understand so, certainly And it is easy
to see that by doing SO she has greatly vexed
my mother. 1t was an excellent proposal,
you see.n
~ see nothing of the kind, replied Hugh,
with some heat. "Confound Colonel Gordon |
1 never liked the fellow from the beginning. .
"Saprist!" calculated Jacques; "what can
he have done to yous He's q ca ,ital fellow.
and never had bad word for any man."
Hugh threw away the cigar he was smok-
ing.
81 don't mean to say he ever offended or in
jured me personally" said he; ''but mean
that l never liked his being so much with your
sister. She ought to marry younger man,
Jacques"
"Wen, daresay she will,n returned Jacques,
carelessly. "Pauline is great favorite But
then, you know, the Colonel's position is
really first-rate."
Hugh turned on his cousin almost wrath
fully.
Cant you leave the Colonel aloner, he
cried. "She said No. and / suppose there's
an end Of the thing"
'sMy good Hughes, don't be in such deuce
of rage about It,. Upon my word, IL iidn
know how matters stood be ween YOU and
Pauline, would swear you were jealousn
"I-jealous what-of Pauline Confound
1t all, I've dropped my cigar somewhere |!
Give me light, old mans
''Yes,n repeated Jacques steadily. looking
his friend full in the face. as they paused a
moment while Hugh kinded fresh cigar, ''to
tell you he truth, should certainly have
thought you jealous. Come; is 1t 500 Have
you betrayed yourselfl"
"Look here, Jacques, old fellow,v said
Hugh, after pause of br ef duration occu-
pied by several violent puffs at the cigar 81
don't exactly know what it Is | feel on this
subject; and, upon my honor, II am Jealous
you have found 1t out. first. The fact H.
JACQUES. can Won keep gecret7,