Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1883-06-21

/ wa wa ftA Jtdi1 lUHTe
IN her white cleaning dress, sobbing,
with Denis holding her hands in his.
entreating her in passionate tones to
listen to the love in both their hearts.
Il casnot,' she said family. "Oh,
Denis, cannot"
Then you do not love me-" cried be
holly.
Love you" she answered. "Ah, YOU
do not know how l love you. love YOU
more earnestly, more deeply, than it is
possible for you TO understand. But oh /
can't you see II is not my promise
must Keep, il is my fathers. 1t will not
greatly matter if my heart is broken"
she added little wildly. so our honor
Is kept clean"
For few moments there was silence,
then from out the gloom, far dow the
long studio, came voice:
"Jeau, mein iiebiing, art thou ready
for me? Pardon madam, that / intrude
myself upon you"
Baron Won Sto-k walked into cur
midst, and there was Jean crying and
Denis holding both her hands.
But what is this" continued the
Baron, turning mis- kind face from one
to another. Jean IN tears! And you,
sir" to Denis, 'for what reason do y3u
80 hold Miss DOrsay's hands?p
"For what reason?', cried Denis. glad
to speak TO some one in his excitement.
''for the best of all reasons, Baron Won
Stock: because love Jean, and she
loves nae. Don't you, my darling? Yes,
| love her, and you will take her from
me because OF some stupid promise
long ago, made by man dead these
two years. You want her to marry you,
and she is not one to break her word
But, look you, tell you she loves me,
and it will only be her hand she gives
you, not her heart; that is mine"
The boy finished almost triumphant
| ly, though he dropped jeans hands
and stood away from her. she said
nothing.
as this true, Jean?" asked the
Baron slowly, with look of pain in his
| face.
Thus questioned, Jean looking no and
answered:
"True that loved Denis? Yes, it is
quite true. | should have told you,
Hermann, the day before our MARI
age, and | should also have told you
that rs l took your name, so should
wear it blamelessly. You have never
asked me, Baron Won Stock, whether
or not loved you. You accepted my
fathers promise as have done, as |
am willing TO do"
AS watched the Baron, saw a sud
den look of happiness come over his
f.nn uyhI Inav, T..
heart sank. Was he then willing to
take her not only without love, out
knowing her heart belonged to another?
1t seemed so, for as she finished he
went close to her, and, taking her hand
raised it c:urteou,ly to his lips, bowling
MS gray head over it with infinite
grace.
That is quite as it should be, mein
sess your amiable respect. And now
shall we go? 1t is already late"
So, with general bow, and leading
my poor little Jean by the hand, he
left us. AS the door closed Denis gave
one low cry and fang himself face
down upon the couch. Nothing could
say woald comfort him; he lay all the
evening in dumb, wretched misery,
while the dusk grew into night, and
one by one out came the little stars,
and last of all the full, round moon.
The 18th day of June dawned clear
and cloudless. l was up early, too full
OF my child's new life that was to begin
to-day to rest. She vas to be married
at Mr.. Haviland's quietly, at o'clock
il the afternoon | had little note
from her at midday begging me not to
fail to come, and saying at the end:
"Dear Ottawa, | know am doing right
although my heart seems dead. Baron
Won Stock ia very kind, and says shall
be all bright and happy again. And,
indeed, | shall try and make his words
seem true"
By o'clock | was dressed in my
best gray silk, with a bunch of white
| lilac, that Jean had sent me. was
carefully drawing on my gloves and be
| ginning to tidgot mentally lest Denis
should fail me at the last; for he, with
a youthful desire to luxurlate in his
grief, had declared it only manly and
right to be at jeans marriage, besides
being his duty to look after me. At
half-past he made his appearance.
"Oh, Denis" | cried, chow glad am
to see you, feared after all, you
might not come"
He laughed, sad bitter laugh, not
good to hear from so young heart.
"You should not fear, Madam Ottawa.
If she can endure it, surely | can"
Then we betook ourself to the car
riage, and very soon were entering Mr..
Haviland's drawing these were
gay with flowers and sweet June sun
shine, and bright happy faces. We're
ours the only heavy hearts in that
small Gathering
We took our places, Denis and l, not
far from the white satin mat richly EN-
broidered in roses, which as Nine. de
Vaux informed me, mad been brought
especially from Germany for the bride
and groom to stand upon. An old, old
family custom. you know" she whis-
pered theoretically, aud so interest
ing"
We had not long to wait; there was