The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1883-06-02
Selett StOrg.
JEAN

Little Jean ID 'Orsay came into the studio
,nc fine May evening, bringing with her a
sleam Of outside light, and the scent of
aolcts.
Il have come for long talk, Octavia,
she said. Il have much to say, and you
have much to listen to- Where is my old
friend, our homemade couch? Oh there
it is. pushed away back in that dark corner.
Ortavia. how could you treat my handi-
work with 50 little dignity?" Then she
pulled away with her pretty hands until
the couch with its worn chintz covering
and cushions was placed to her liking in
the broad window and she comfortably es-
tabfshed thereon. The warm, golden
beams Of the setting sun rested lovingly y on
her sweet face.
And 50. my dear | said with il sign
81! content. for was very glad to have my
Jean home once more, after an absence OF
many weeks, you are really engaged to be
married? only heard the rumor, rs true,
the ether day and have waited for your
own lips to tell me all about it, and as many
Of the secrets Of loyc-making as you will
ronfde to an old maids keeping"
.Oh yes, | am engaged, she answered
careessly; but, Octavia, if you are pining
for love secrets. | have none to tell. Sure
". you know as well as | do that it was all
arranged long ago-before papa died 1t
was his dearest wish that should marry
the Baron Won Stock, and abroad we are
taught to obey our fathers, even though
they die and leave us and even without
that We D'Orsays never break our word. "
She said this simply, and, as matter of
course taking off her rings one by one and
making little row of them on the top of
the couch. She was very young, only Just
seventeen. but there was a ring of proud
truth in her voice that showed that she had
learned her lesson well.
Yes. | know, child" | answered with
another sign, not so tranquil as my former
one only. you see, | can neither under
stand nor believe in such keeping OF one
word. Here, in America, generally, a girl
malrieS for one of two reasons; either be-
cause she loves, or is poor and needs a
home The latter can never be your case;
then. jean do you lore the. Baron Won
Stock ?'
Jean shrugged her shoulders "He is
fifty" she said '.and has gray hairs, and |
nm Just seventeen, and, you know, summer
and winter can never agree. But L am a
D'CGsay.'
.D'Orsay or not D'Orsay,'' replied
shortly Il do not believe in any such non
sense. dean, do you realize what you are
giving ny iR marrying man you do not
.Iove?'
Il think I so. Octavia."
Is there. then. some one you do love,
jean"
\ long pause fdl9Yed my question, du-
ring which Jean put qg slowly the shining
little circles that belonged to her slim flu
gers. Then she said in troubled voice 4:
''Octavia, that is just what | have come to
tell YOU
y peremptory knock at the door, follow
'ed by the immediate entrance and familiar
voice of my favorite, Denis Durant, inter tf
nIpted Jeans little confession.
-AlC you HcIc, OCtdf Ia. ''ii ''AOie
IN the cleaning? And may | come in =
tome in and welcome, Denis, but when
did you arrive? Your last letter said moth
ING Of your intention to return so soon
You We're on your way TO Florida, then
did you weary of the sunny South ? OF
Were the Florida girls less winning and
beautiful than you expected?"
NO and yes, Madam {Octayfa As to
the Florida girls, fortunately for me, they
dld not make up my entire community, tol
had other things to think about"
Dennis crossed the long studio, and now
stood beside lis where we sat in the quick,
coming shadows | turned to Jean to
make them known to one another.
Jean" | said, this is your one rival
IN my affections; Denis, this is your only
eompeer in my heart
had proceeded thus far, when | was
shaken out of my usual calm by little
gasplng noise from among the cushions
Denis started forward, and to my utter dis
may and astOnishment, [ saw him seize
Jeans hands and cover them with eager
kisses, while he said in broken voice:
You here, my darling why, thought
i never knew you and Madam Octavla
Were friends"
Then jeans frightened little voice:
s'Oh, please, you must not. Oh, Octavia
Tell MIR. Durant all about it.
''Tell Mr. Durant all aboutit, +" | echoed
indeed, | think you two should make
explanation TO me"
And so by degrees they told me. Itw
the same old story that IS forever repeating
itself. They had met in Florida, gone
sightseeing and pleasure-seeking together
until, as foregone conclusion, they had
come to love one another; and then-why
then came Jeans summons home, followed
by her formal betrothal to the Baron vor
Stock.
"She never let me know, Madam Octa
Via, said poor Denis, "where she was go
ing, or why. Did she suppose | held hel
love SO lightly won and so lightly lost
What if she is engaged to Baron vor
stock, and bound by all the betrothals II
Christendom, it doesn't matter in the least
No guardian can dispose of girl that way
IN this country. Jean, / tell you it shall
not be. Don't you believe me, Jean Z"
But Jean was sobbing quietly to herself
tlpS. fooo L -. &Ioc coff