The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-02-15

ways Keep me fbiseiaoie, hnu ACCUSE INC
of not doing my duty"
Marie interrupted her despairing re-
Election.
The Marquis de Calonne was in the
crimson drawing-room, and would like
few moments conversation with her.
Valentine shivered and turned pale ut
the words. Then the hot blood rushed to
her cheeks and set her heart beating as il
il would break it's bounds.
Her first impulse was to refuse to see
him. Then it seemed TO her best to meet
him for the last time.
An insane idea of forcing her father TO
leave La Grange that very night was now
uppermost in her thoughts. 1t kept re-
curing to her mini as the only resou, ce
now left him. 1t influenced her when she
sent her lover message that she would
Join him in few minutes.
She waited, trying to regain something
of her natural appearance and usual man
ner. but without success.
He was standing near the table, on
which the jewel casket still lay, when she
entered noseessly and then stopped, un-
able to speak or approach him.
Her quickened pulses warned her that
she could not control herself; but it was
too late, he turned and saw her.
If she had been a ghost. he could not
have looked more startled. She was
white and haggard. and the color of her
long drcperies added to the illusion.
IL cannot understand this. Valentine!"
he cried. taking hcr cold hands in his and
kissing them. "What has happenedf"
Valentine shrank from his eager eyes.
| She tried to speak, hut no sound came
from her parted lips. The rigid features
did not relax; the girl was stunned with
the horror of her situation. which her
| lovers presence only made more clear to
her senses.
She shook her head and tried to with
draw her hands. but Henri lie Calonno
was partly prepared Tor this anil he would
not notice her gestures.
Tell me, Valentine" he said, gently.
"Perhaps / can help you"
mo one can," she mu,mured, with an
! effort.
strange must have occurred since this
morning. Are yon going to suffer this
way without an effort to spare yourself~
al must--I must hear it alone!'
"What! have q secret grief that l cam
not share9" His voice was full of sad re-
proach.
Valentine looked at him; utter despair
was in every feature, in her voice and
gestures.
"Do not upbraid me. l thought / was
strong enough to see you once more; it
was so hard to part without word of ex
plantations or farewell"
TO part, Valentine9"
ayes; do not ask the cause. We must
part. You must forget me. Henri"
The marquis looked at Valentine with
n searching. puzzled expression in his
face Could it be possible that some sud-
den shock had affected the girls reason3
Something in her steady eyes and in the
strong. firm mouth contradicted this ex-
PLANTATION of her words.
Valentine read his thoughts.
al am perfectly sane, perfectly con-
scious of the meaning of my words, and
quite sure of the necessity for speaking
as do" she said, in still calmer tones.
"YN ask me to forget you, Valentine"
he said, speaking as calmly as he could,
and controlling his emotions. could you
forget me if told you it was necessary
| to do sof"
mo, Henri. could not. never will
forget you-never!"
"Then why do you require an impossi-
bility from met"
because 1t is for your happiness. My
misfortunes must not affect you. You will
in time love another; you will he happy,
as You deserve. Later, when you can
think Of me calmly, try and do it kindly.
If you could know how miserable / am.
the horror and the suspense that sur
round me, you would not look so cold, so
indignant. You would pity me, Henri!
Only this morning i was so happy, and
! now--now know that 1 shall never be
happy again.
valentine. will you not try for one mo-
ment to put yourself in my placer You
are generally cool, logical, and willing to
listen to reason. / do not comprehend
this rapid alteration in you. 1 have no
clew to this change in your sentiments, in
your intentions. Answer me this, have /
in any way caused you this sudden griefr
"You! Oh, MOI"
II have not offended you, nor lost your
esteem, your lover"
mo, you are wholly unconnected with
this trouble, and you must remain SOL
This secret, then, is your fathers"
The vivid color that dyed Valentines
cheeks verified his surmise. Valentine
made no effort to answer him. She sat
motionless, dreading his next words.
HAS he bound you by7any promise 10
keep it to yourselfl Is tidy his advice
that you tell me we must part"
"Oh. no, no! he does not know--he has
not told me what to do"
''Then. Valentine, you have surprised
some secret Of his, and you voluntarily
accept the weight and the misery that
the knowledge OF il entails upon you.
This is not just! II is an outrage to thus
II.