The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-08

tered "fou are my daughter-you shall
obey; give me what you havew
ayes, am your wretched daughter,
made SO by your crime. Why do you
hesitate2 Once before helpless woman
stood between you and your hearts de-
sire"
With yell, the count sprang upon her,
and caught her by the throat, but her
sharp cry was echoed from the doorway.
AS the duke and the duchess entered the
room the count released his daughter, and
covering away, sank into an easy chair
and covered his face with his hands.
Valentine tottered toward the duchess,
and fell, nearly fainting, in her arms.
The astonished duke looked from father
to daughter, as if at loss for words.
"What does this meant" he at length
asked the still trembling count.
81 am sorry that you should discover
us in such an embarrassing situation"
stammered the count, with difficulty
"But--really, my daughter"
"What is the matter with your daugh-
teri She is white and cold-she trembles
like leaf! / do not understand this!"
cried the duchess, Indignantly. speak,
Valentine, speak, my childp
Valentine stood upright with great
effort, and looked steadily at the count.
'Shall l speak, or will you agree to nay
PROPOSAL"
"Oh, speak if you will. my daughter
The count came quite close, speaking
slowly. "Of course, you must do as you
think right. lam only your father"
"My father" Valentine shuddered /;
l,er startled eyes glanced at the three
faces confronting her. The counts snake
like gaze seemed to fascinate her. She
put her hand to her heal, speaking wild.
ly: "Yes, yes. my father! What did she
say2 y would die. but would not be-
tray my fathern Oh, Adricnnc--" She
stopped.
"Coun., explain this scene. What has
so suddenly affected your daughtcr2" said
the duke, firmly.
"I-the fact is, am as much surprised
as you are. The events of the last few
days have undoubtedly unsettled my
daughters mimi. For the last FIVE min
utes the child has been utte,ing the most
alarming. impossible accusations and
threats. fear she is mad.'
"Madr' cried the duchess, while Valen-
tine stared at the count rs if doubling the
truth of what her quick perceptions were
grasping with fatal accuracy.
"Yes, madame, there can he no doubt of
it. My daughter is mad!"
"Mad?" echoed Valentine. "Madl Oh,
he says that am mad! mad"
The last word was cry of wild de-
spair, and as it rang through the room,
Valentine fell insensible to the floor.
The duke raised her and laid her on
the sofa; the duchess, assisted by the
maid, who came running in at the sound
of Valentines voice, quickly applied re-
storatives. The count walked quickly up
and down, avoiding looking at his daugh-
ter.
"Take him away" whispered the duch-
ess; and the duke, understanding her
glance, drew the count into an adjoining
apartment.
Valentine slowly regained conscious
ness. Coming out Of the long, death-like
swoon, she saw the duchess bending anx-
iously over her. She smiled as she recog-
nized the kind, motherly face, but the
next minute shivered and glanced fear
fully around her.
"He is not here; do you wish to see
him2" asked the duchess.
mo, no, not now; am not strong
enough. Do not let him come"
"No; will invite him to come with US
to. the city. You will try and compose
yourself and sleep, my child. You are
over-excited and troubled; give up think
ing, and rest. will tell your father that
you must not be disturbed"
~ shall feel quite well in little while,"
Valentine said. "You must not remain
any longer; have already detained you
some time. Marie will stay with me-"
Valentine smiled YEARLY and sadly as
the duchess kissed her. She was ques-
tioning whether they would ever meet
again.
Fortunately. the duke had persuaded
the count that he had better appear at
the reception, the minister having been
informed of his presence in the neighbor-
hood.
The duchess entering, reported Valen-
tine much better, but advised leaving her
to obtain rest and sleep. The count, after
a slight hesitation, agreed to be advised
by the duchess in regard to visiting his
daughter. and soon after he set out alone
for the city.
Neither the duke nor his wife felt at
ease about Valentine; and when Adrienne
described her interview with her friend
and the counts anger. they thought it
only partly explained the scene they had
witnessed.
"The man is passionate, and has been
away from the society OF ladies. He would
not Intentionally injure his daughter"
said the duke.
ale must be something worse than pas
sionate," exclaimed the duchess. IL am
positive that he was choking her when
we surprised them at that time. Do you
know that consider il dangerous to leave
he ~, HE ,,owa, On cop,,,lataluq u