The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1883-04-26

lay spread out around the proud cathe-
dral, whose lofty spire seemed still
stretching skyward-the beloved city,
now all patches and props like some
wounded human being. But mademoi.
selle wept on, and he came back into the
stately room, thinking how much moro
unpleasant this was than his usual expe-
riences of the hotel; the evenings spent
playing picquet with M. Archaim bault,
and teaching the fair, beautiful Marie
English. Latterly there had been more
English and less picquet, for tho banker,
after losing game after game through in
advertence, weuld get up and go to his
own room, and the able, after taking a
few thoughtful pinches of snuff, would
put away the cards and join Marie,
where she sat at work in the corner with
her aunt. They had nearly finished read.
ing "Ivanhoe," and to-day an unknown
knight would appear. How little they
had dreamed of this!
do you not think it would be better
to think how we shall break the news to
Marie. instead of CRYING about it?' asked
the able, gently. Then as mademoiselle
incoherently murmured something about
"the SHOCK" and "being totally I'M
nerved, "he rang small silver hand bell.
The yellow satin ''portieres" were
lifted, and, as if by magic, footman, in
the fawn and crimson Archaimbault liv-
cry, with heavy silver shoulder knots
and loops, spotless stockings and freshly
powdered hair, stood there awaiting his
orders.
"Tell Mile. Marie began the able;
but the footman stepped aside with re-
spectful obeisance, and young girl
came in, dressed in white, with large
bows of black ribbon. She was tall fair,
with serene blue eyes under arched
brows, and soft white skin, more like
the Belgian mother who had died shortly
after the birth of the twins, Marie and
Alphonse, than like the French father
and aunt, dark, wiry and determined.
Perhaps the beautiful girls most potent
charm was her graceful throat and neck,
which deserved the epithet of SWAN
like" anciently bestowed upon the cele-
blated Matilda of Flanders. GOOD
morning." she began, pleasantly. Marie
was always glad to see the good -natured,
monkey.lik face of the able, with those
stray wisps of hair which never would
keep in the right place across his bald
uchu. 4Atu ucI WciCOmlAS VAplCSSlOu
changed to one of CONSERVATION. MA
tante!'-and she went quickly to her,
kneeling down and exclaiming, "Papa?"
us perfectly WELL" said the able,
drily; your aunt has been crying
about you"
"About-me?" Marie looked per-
picked.
"Yes. You have received q proposal
of marriage"
The aunt clasped her niece's hands
and averted her eyes. A smile fitted
across Marie 8 face-amused, incredulous
as stray sunbeam flickers upon o
wintry landscape. She had rarely
smiled since her twin brothers death.
But mon pere, there is no one. she
said. Indeed, they had led secluded
lives since the war-since their terrible
loss-at the Hotel Archaimb ault.
The able cleared his throat. Eyes,
there is" he began.
"Do not tell her. I cannot bear it.
It is an insult" muttered her aunt.
Marie glanced quickly from one to the
other. and then compressed her lips.
"Piease tell me at once. she said firmly.
Whatever it is, can bear it. I have
II have had letter from your father
this morning, in which he desires me to
inform you that he approves of a pro-
posal made for the honor of an alliance
with you by young German.
The able depressed the conteinptuous
term "Prussian," out of respect for the
approved aspirant. Still, so strong was
the Strasburgian hatred Of their present
rnlers, that he felt ashamed when he
disclosed the intelligence, and could not
bring himself to look Marie in the face.
Therefore, neither he nor Mile. Archaim-
bault, who sat, the image Of despair,
gazing into vacancy, saw the beautiful
blush, the droop Of the eyes, the happy
smile that dwelt one moment upon the
young girls face-one moment, for it
was only moment. Still, the memory
softened the "Oh" with which she
greeted the announcement.
You perceive we have not quite killed
her with our intelligence" remarked the
able to the aunt, somewhat satirically.
The idea is too prepostelous for her
to realize" replied the lady Indignantly.
"Whatl-that German wishes to
marry me? Does my father desire the
alliance, mon perez"
Il am afraid think he does, ma
fille."
What is this man-this German
like?"
Welt the able paused, thinking
pitifully of the natural curiosity of these
daughters of Eve. curiosity so strong
that it seemed to smother their hottest
- I