Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-12-22

-. so with general bow. and leading my poor
little Jean by the hand, he left u.s. As the door
Closed Denis gave one low cry and flung him
self. lace down, upon the couch. Nothing /
could say would 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 of June dawned fair and cloudless.
| was up early too full of my chid's new life,
that was to begin to-day, to rest. She was to
be married at Mr.. Haviland's, quietly. at six
o'clock in the afternoon. | had little note
from her at midday begging me not to fail to
come, and saying at the end Dear Octavia, l
know l am doing right, although my heart
seems dead. Baron Won Stock is very kind and
says shall soon be all bright and happy again.
And. indeed, | shall try and make his words
seem true"
By four O'Clock was dressed in my best gray
silk, with q bunch of white lilac. that Jean had
sent me. was carefully drawing on my gloves
and beginning to fidget mentally lest Denis
should fail me at the last; for he. with youth
iul desire to uxuriate in his grief. had declared
1t only manly and right to be at jeans marriage,
besides being his duty to look after ME. At half
past five he made his appearance.
'Oh. Denis,'' | cried ''hOw 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 Octavia If she can endure it,
surely cam
Then We betOok ourselves to the carriage. and
very soon were entering Mr.. Havilands draw
ing rooms; these were gay with flowers and
sweet June sunshine, and bright with happy
faces. Were ours the only heavy hearts In that
small gathering?
We took our places Denis and I, not far from
the White satin mat richly embroidered in roses,
which. as Madame de FauX informed me. ''had
been brought especially from Germany for the
bride and groom to stand upon. An old. old
family custom. you know" she whispered ener-
| getically, land so interesting"
! We had not long to wait; there was hush
IN the flow of many voices as Baron Won Stock
entered and took his place, followed immedi-
ately by Jean on Mr.. Havilands arm. | held
my breath; Denis, who stood beside me. shiv-
cred Very sweet and beautiful did my darling
! look. though her falling veil Of rich lace could
not hide from my eyes the real Jean beneath,
and noted with sharp anguish that the sweet
! face was thinner. and the soit eyes more mourn
| full. than one short month ago. In direct con-
trast to her sad. gentle looks, was the too appa-
rent JOY. not to say hilarlty. of both Baron Won
| Stock and Mr.. Haviiand. And now Jean had
| reached the silken mat ole Mr.. Dillon stood by
| IN sufplice and stole and was taking my last
| look at little Jean dOrsay. she could be my
| Jean no longer. Tie Baroness Won Stock. could
never come to the old, dim. dusty studio and
make it bright with her presence talking for
hours over every trifling pleasure or pain, as the
old Jean had done
My eyes were full of tears. for Jean was the
Child OF a widowed heart that had never known
/ the sound OF the magical word mother" Even
/ Denis sorrow could not equal mine.
Baron Won Stocks voice broke In upon my
memories. "Mr. Eaviland. and my very good
| TREND he was saying, las you know it was
| the earnest desire and solemn promise of my
| friend, the late Count AlphonsO DOrsay that
there should. at proper time, exist between
| me. Baron Hermann Won Stock. and his only
child and daughter. Jean Blanche D'Orsay, the
tie ana contract of marriage. And so great was
this desire. however unworthy the recipient ofhs
bounty that lie instiiled into his daughters gen
crOus heart the feeling that should she break his
s0iemny pledged word. she would not only soil
his honor. but that Of the DOrsays, whose race
and lineage had never owned one member who
had not kept it fair and clean. But to me he left
discretionary powers. though he bound her so
firmly, and should |, Hermann vonStGck desire
at any time to cancel this mutual agreement |
was to be free TO do so. do so desire NOR. In
the presence of You all, give back to Mdlle.
ID Dr>ay her freedom; not from any want of aD-
probation of her beauty, goodness and loyalty,
rather because of them, and that | am an old
man, and my love for her is too great to accept
| the sacrifice OF her youth. Jean, men liebng
look up. See, have brought thee present, and
we shall have wedding after all"
When Jean raised her tear-dimIned ewes. it
was Denis face they rested on Denis hand that
clasped so tightly her own.
10 you, my friend" said the Baron more
sternly. turning to the young man. Il say shield
Lici i.t'tuluiiN, sue WHO SuiIuS so carefully Il
dead fathers honor will not fail to cherish that
Of her husband"
Denis bowed his bright head in silent thanks
giving. And so they were married
often now in summer evenings. the dim old
studio is full of the joyous laughter and prattlng
tongues of little Denis and little Jean, pretty
blanche and baby Hermann. And when the
shadows grow longer and the little spirit. less
buoyant. they gather about my knee and beg
"once more. just once more. tell us the story Of
mammals weddng-day.-T Argosy.