The daily gazette., 1883-07-28


her life, she remembered that she had al
her disposal 500 900 francs. The Thought
made her smile, a strange, daring, utterly
feminine scheme--a scheme almost as insane
as Croiselles himself-eame into her head;
she Thought over the plan for few minutes
then resolved To put it in o execution.
Il she began by inquiring If Croisilles had
not some relative or friend-her maid was
sent out to investigate. After a thorough
examination they discovered in the fourth
story OF an old house, ha.f decrepit aunt,
who never left her armchair, and who had
not been out OF doors for four or five years.
This poor woman was very aged, and
seemed TO have been sent, or rather left to
the world as an example OF human misfor-
tunes. Blind, equity, almost deaf, she lived
alone In an attic, but a cheerfulness
stronger than misery and sickness was sus-
taining her to her eighueth year and
giving her still an enjoyment in life. Her
neighbors never passed her room without en-
tering, and the old fashioned airs which she
hummed were the delight OF sll the girls OF
the vicinity. She possessed small income
which sutiiced to support her. As long as
daylight lasted she knitted; beyond that, she
did not know what had taken place since
the death of Louis XIV.
It was t. this respectable old lady that
Julie contided her secret She dressed her
self for the occasion In all her fin, ry;
feathers, laces, ribbons, diamonds, nothing
was spared; she wanted to dazzle her; but
or real beauty in this undertaking came
from the purpose which animated her. She
climbed the dark and rickety stairway lead
ing the good lady's apartments, aud, after
the most cordial of bows, spoke in much
these words:
"Yeu have, madame, nephew named
Crnlsilles, who loves me and has asked for
my hand; also love him, and would like to
marry him, but my father, NJ. Codes u, a
farmer. general Of this city, refuses his per
mission for our marriage because your
nephew Is not rich. ] would not for the
world be the cause OF scandal, or give pain
to anyone, so could not think Of disposing
OF myself without the consent of my family.
have to ask favor OF you which entreat
you to grant; 1t is that you will yourself
come and propose this marriage to my
father / have, thank God, small fortune,
which is at your service; you can draw,
when you please, 500, 900 francs at my no.
tary's. You are to say that this sum be.
longs to your nephew, and in effect it does
really belong TO him 1t is only a present
which wish to make him, it is a debt pay
him; for as / am the cause of Or isille's
ruin, 1t is only just that | should repair it.
My father will not yield easily; you will
have TO persist, and display a little courage.
l, ON my part, will not fail you.
As no one In the world except my
self has any control over the sum Of
which ! spoke TO you, no one can ever know
how 1t came into your hands. You are not
very rich, know, and you may fear that
people will he astenished to see you make
such gift to your nephew. But remember
that my father does not know you, that you
show yourself very little in the city, and
consequently it will be easy for you to pre-
tend that you have just arrived arrived from
some foreign country. This step will cost
you some Inconvenience, no doubt; you will
have to leave your cay chair, and give
yourself little trouble; but you will make
two people happy, madame, and II you have
ever known what 1t is TO love, | hope that
you will not refuse me-"
The good lady, during this speech, had
been by turns surprised, disturbed, touched
and charmed. The last words persuaded
her.
"Yes,m my child" she repeated many times
81 know what 1t is, know what 1t is.
As she spoke she made an effort to rise;
her weak limbs hardly supported her. Julie
stepped quickly forward and held out her
hand to assist ...er. By an almost involun-
tary movement they found themselves for
an instant In each other arms. The treaty
was in this way concluded; a cordial kiss
followed very naturally.
All the explanations having been made,
the good lady took from her wardrobe an
old dress OF fiowered silk which she had
worn as bride. This ancient relic could
not have been less than fifty years old; but
| not spot, not particle of dust had dis
| figured 1t. Julie was lost In admiration.
/ They sent for carriage, the finest that
could be hired In the city. he good lady
prepared the speech she was . make to M.
Godeau, and Julie taught her in what way
| her fathers heart could be reachei, not
| hesitating TO admit that his vanity was bis
| vulnerable side.
off you could think" she said, ''of some
way of ilattering him, half the battle " ould
| be gained"
The good lady reflected deeply, finished
her toilet without speaking, grasped the
hand of her future niece, and stepped into
| the carriage. She soon reached the Godeau
mansion; there, she carried herself SO well
that as she entered she seemed ten years
| younger. she walked maje, tiealy through
he room where jules bouquet had fallen,
and when the door of the study opened she
said in firm voice TO the servant who went
before her:
"Announce the dowager baroness Of
| Croisilles."
That word decided the happiness of the
two lovers; it overwhelmed M. GOdeau.
| Although 100000 francs seemed TO him a
trifle, yet he gave her consent in order tc
make his daughter a baroness; and baro-
ness she became. Who would have dared
to dispute her title9 In my opinion 1t had
been fairly earned.
THE END.