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

/
"Have you seen Denis, Octavis?'
ono, my little Jean; bat | sent him
your note"
odd you read it, Octavis?p
"My dear, no. / noticed it was un-
sealed, but fancied that an oversight. so
/ fastened it up tight aud sent it on its
way. You did not tell me to read it,
jean"
" 1t does not matter" she answered.
Then after little pause: ut was only
to tell him, Ottawa, that Baron Won
Stock and Mr.. Haviland have decided it
snail be on the 15.h Of June" | made
10 reply, though | knew it was her
Wedding day she strove to speak of SO
calmly.
She came and rested her hands upon
my shoulders.
"You do not answer me, Octavia. Are
you then so Indifferent
"My child" said, "since you have
decided in your own heart what is best
why should repb?'
Eyes, that IS trae." Then, kissing
me- 81 have tried, Octavia, indeed /
have, to do all for the best. / love
nenis-ah, how truly do love him
but my word is pledged. WAT can |
do?"
sNothing," 1 answered dryly, "since
you feel as you do"
And now 1t seemed to me the days
fairly raced by in their eagerness to
re .ch the 18Th of June. | saw Denis
frequently, Jean less often. The boy
was overwhelmed with his first great
sorrow. He would come and talk to
me by the hour, tramping " and down
the studio, rumpllng up his fair HAIR,
and repeating over and over now much
he loved her-how cruel it all was.
"Why doesn't she tell Baron Won
Stock?" he said. you don't suppose
the man would force her to marry MIN
against her will?'
"Why don't you tell him?" / answer
ed.
"How can do that2 Can 90 and
tel the Baron that / fell sure Jean does
not love him, and is only marrying him
because of her fathers stupid promise
ana some absurd nonsense about the
family honor? Don't her very actions
give my words the lie direct? Didn't |
tell it all to old Haviland, and much
good did it dol He smiled at me as
blandiy as possible, and asked me if |
C tme at Miss D'Orsay's requests. or
course, was obliged to say No Then
ne smiled more baudly than before,
and said: When Miss D'0rsay comes
to me with the same petition will con-
slider it, Was there anything left for
me to do but take myself of after
! that"
No, had to agree with him. There
was nothing left to do.
Now listen" continued Denis. "You
are fond of me, you know, and il will
consequently give you pleasure to do
me a good turn. Jean will not see me,
aud | must see her before the 18Th.
Won't you get her here next Sunday
afternoon, and then let me come in
quite by accident? You will, won't
vou22
"Denis Durant," ! said solemnly,
''since you were curly-headed bov
have never refused you anything it was
in my power to grant. Am | likely to
do so now2 Yes, you shall have one
more chance | will ask Jean to come.
And now be of. My six young ladies
will be here in le4s than ten minutes,
and shall lose my reputation as stern
instructor if they catch sight of your
handsome face"
"Pass me of as your model" said he
mpudently; then coming back and
putting his yellow head down caress-
ingly: "Will you make her come, 0c-
tavia?'
Yes, yes" [ answered, touching his
bright locks, "do not fear, you shall see
her once more"
This was Wednesday, the 5.h Of
juno; in ten days Jean was to be mar
ried. | wrote her a note asking her to,
come to me on Sunday. She sent me
word she would be with me at O'Clock
in the afternoon at 6 Baron Won Stock
would call to take her to dine at his
sisters, where his relations were to meet
her for the first time collectively.
Sunday came, one OF those sudden
intensely warm days, foretaste of
what July and August would prove.
After my rather tardy lunchton.
drew the old chintz couch across the
broad window, placed my low chair
near, closed the Venetian blinds and
waited for my lovers.
Denis came first, putting in his head
cautiously, and then advancing eagerly
when he saw | was alone.
"Will she come, OTTAWA? Am | too
later"
She will come" 1 answered, and
even as l made reply, heard her step
upon the stairs. Denis drew back into
the window, a moment, and then the
door was slowly opened and Jean came
in. She walked down the long room,
and we two watched her as she came.
she was already dressed for dinner,
in long, soft, white silk, made very
simply, with some rich, old lace at the
throat, and short, hanging sleeves.
Her breast-knot was of her favorite
dark Russian vi0lets; her wavy, brown
hair knotted in some old. fashioned
style upon the top of her proud little
head, and held there by quaint silver
comb; in her hands she held her white
fan, and her long, white silk mittens
Save for the dark blue Of the violets