The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-04-14

'"Tell Mile. Marie" / began the abbe.
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-
biated Matilda of Flanders. "Good
morning" she began, pleasantly. Marie
was always glad to see the good-natared
monkey like face of the abbe, with those
stray wisps of hair which never would
keep in the right place across his bald
head. Then her welcoming expression
changed to one of CONSERVATION. INA
tanteT-and she went quickly to her,
kneelng down and exclaiming, ''Papa?
rs perfectly WE'LL" said the abbe,
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 Msrie's face-amused, incredulous
-as stray sunbeam hickers upon q
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 Archaim bault.
The abbe cleared his throat. Eyes.
there is, he began.
do not tell her. I cannot bear it.
1t is an insult, mnttered her aunt.
Marie glanced quickly from one to the
other. and then compressed her lips.
Please tell me at once, "she said firmly.
Whatever it is, [ can bear it. I have
known grief"
Il have had letter from your father
this morning, in which he desires me to
inform you that he approves of pro-
posal made for the honor of an alliance
with you by young German"
The abbe repressed the conteinptuous
term "Prussian," out Of respect for the
approved aspirant. Still. so strong was
the Strasburgian hatred of their present
rulers, 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-4one moment, for it
was only moment. Still, the memory
the 'Oh!" with which she
greeted the announcement.
You perceive we have not quite killed
her with our intelligence" remarked the
abbe to the aunt, somewhat satirically.
The idea is too preposterous for her
to realize" replied the lady indignantly.
"What!-that German wishes to
marry me? Does my father desire the
mon perez
II am afraid think he does, ma
fille."
"What is, thiss man-this German
Iike?"
"Well"-the abbe paused, thinking
of the natural curiosity of these
daughters of Eve, curiosity so strong
that it seemed to smother their holiest
natural impulses he is, I suppose,
'sll'-throwing up his arms strong"
his chest ''ferce"-rolling
up his little eyes-''with a great mus
ache, red, red as fire."
mo, no, not red-fair!' cried Marie.
Then as her aunt and her confesser
stared in astonishment, her head dropped,
md blush mantled over her fair throat
With tinge of pink.
And he is-an officer" ('At least
his will arouse her natural animosity
oward her brothers slayers," thought
he abbe, himself growing almost an
loyed by Marie's unnatural demeanor.
Marie was silent.
And his name," continued the abbe.
lmost sternly, sis Karl Eichmann."
"Cruel! You have killed heri'' cried
he aunt, terrified. Marie had risen to
er feet, and, holding her hands to her
reast, had staggered away She leaned
gainst the wall, her eyes closed, pale
nth the CHASTITY pallor of corpse.
What have I done?" Mon Dieu
that have done?' exclaimed the poor
title able, wringing his hands. 81
an assure you, mademoise1le-my good
hid, had no idea how was I to i'm
CINE"
''You have done nothing" said Marie,
olemnly. opening her eyes. How could
on know? Mon pere-that name was
aid to me-by my dear brother-the
loment before-he died"
An instant's silence. Then the able
1urmured: "This is indeed m MYSTERY. .
"a most horrible mystery" sobbed
Ille. Archaim banlt. 1T is the worst
ay of my life."
Compose yourself, my chili." said
ne able. hastily. A servant entered
Dd presented card to Marie on q gilt
alver.
: 1t is Herr Earl Eichmann," said the
Dung girl. ASK Herr Eichmann into |
le ante room. she said calmly to the |
.rvant; land when [ ring the bel, bring
Inn in"
The footman bowed and retired.
"You, my aunt, and you, mon pere.
ad better await us there" (pointing to |
! adjoining rooml s'and when you hear
e riEg this bell twice you will come to
e."
one IS flgnt, said the abbe, conSoI-
gly, offering his arm to Mile. Archaim.
ault. And feeling half stunned, he
ardly knew why, he led the trembling,
eeping woman into the adjoining bou-
Dir.
After Marie had carefully closed the
g doors upon them, and had arranged
e ''portiere." she made violent effort
compose herself for the coming inter
ew. Mon Dieu! what can it mean?"
% first said, wildly, pushing back her
lir from her burning forehead. How
ell she remembered the events of that
yful day, when her twin brother-al-