St. Paul daily globe., 1884-10-12

Prefecture without delay. But she never
guessed what her husband would do. He
vas in such state of ELUSIVE benevolence
that he invited Tom to the important dinner
in the evening! Nine. Pontoise was i'm
mensely disgusted.
"How stupid men area That tiresome
young Englishman will make the count look
ten years older.''
However, it could not be helped, and the
good lady, was too immersed in household
cares to give much thought to the matter.
Punctual to the moment, NJ. de la Croiser
lie arrived; well-preserved man, over fifty,
carefully dressed, with gray hair, which
locked long by the side of Toms regulation
cut" and NJ. Pontoise's bristles. He was
formally introduced to Melaine, and made
profound and elaborate bow, clinking his
heels together as he did so.
IA galvanized mummyr' thought Tom,
as he watched the prformance, but his opin-
ion was not very valuable. He had learned
the state of affairs from NJ. Pontoise and at
once conceived a strong prejudice against
the count.
The dinner passed off very well. NJ. De
la Croiserie addressed Melaine with marked
Difference once or twice, and she replied in
monosyllables. Nine. Pontoise was quite
ecstatic-this was exactly as it should be.
Tom began to wish he had not come. 1t
did not require conjurer to see that Me-
laine did not care for the count, and the
young Englishman's soul was overflowing
with chivalrous pity. To sacrifice that warm
hearted Melaine to such an iceberg: what a
shamei He had not expected to burst into
such an exciting chapter of the family histo-
ry; and once here, what could he do! He
had always liked his sisters pretty French
f,;, l. l,o1 al, ,,1a
scheme in coming to see her. Now. that he
found her again no longer schoolgirl, but
a beautiful woman, whose life-happiness was
trembling in the balance, his feelings were
stirred and deepened. He watched her ev-
cry movement; he took note of every cheng-
ing expression which fitted across her face :;
he fancied he detected traces of tears, and
his heart went out to her. Nobody but the
two young people saw any pathos in the situ-
alton. The parents answered their daugh-
ter's wistful glances with eXultant smiles,
and the count made a good dinner, serenely
certain of success.
When they went into the drawin groom,
Tom hoped to exchange few words with Me-
laine unobserved, but he reckoned without
Nine. Pontoise's watchful eyes. Fortune
favored him, however. The mother was sud-
denly called away, and the Count and NJ. le
Prefet had gone into the garden to discuss
matters by the light of a post-praudial cigar.
Tom seized his opportunity.
Your father has told me everything" he
said in low voice. 81 hope you VIII be
happy"
''Ahr' Monsieur Tom,' she sighed with a
pretty appealing gesture of her hands and an
earnest look out of her great dark eyes,
what can l dog
''If you don't like him there is still time.
When you are married it will be too late"
Before Melaine had time to answer, Nine.
Pontoise returned, and the young people sep
arated.
'Will you not join the gentlemen now,
Monsieur Paget!" she said meaningly. Ny
daughter will give US a song; but you can
hear very well in the garden.''
Il think will take my leave, madame. 1
have already trespassed too long upon your
hospitality" and Tom departed. But all
the way to his hotel he was uneasy and
doubling. ''What can do! How 1 wish 1
knew what she really wants! What fool l
am! What sent me here to trouble that poor
girls life! What grand, wonderful eyes she
has, with the pleading look of some dumb
animal in them She doesn It like the French
man butt wonder if she likes mel /
wasn't a bit in love with her when | came
at least l think not-but nowl Oh, if could
only speak to the girl! The mother glares at
me like dragon. Poor, pretty Melanie !!
I'd give anything to know what she thinks of
me. wonder what fellow ought to doI''
< = K < <
The next morning rose clar and beautiful,
and NJ. de la Croserie sent over a mounted
messenger to beg the Prefet and his family
to church at the Chattean. The Prefet and
his wife were radiant, but Melanie, VIII O
had slept badly, looked pale and worn.
The poor girl was desperate. She saw no
help. noescape. The CLEAN of hope which
Tom had brought had faded. No doubt he
was now on his way TO Paris. Years would
elapse before they would meet again.
After the ceremonious lunch was over the
Count gave his hand to Melanie and led hei
into the old-fashioned garden.
She felt the crisis of her life had come.
Oh, for courage to make stand.
NJ de la Croiserie led her to a stone bench
and sat down beside her.
81 wish to thank you MademoiselIe," he
said, gravely for accepting my suit. / am
older than you, many think me austere, but
| assure you that you shall never regret the
decision you have made"
Melanie turned away her head. Those
measured tones seemed to freeze her. Yet
Tom had said, Think before you decide
when you are married it will be too late .
So, summoning her courage, she faltered-
you think too highly of me, Monsieur Il
Comte. | am deeply sensible of your fiat
tering preference, but l am not equal to the
the position"
The Count listened beignly, II,
thought it all very proper and difident, bu
L L .l,y,.l =. 50
'When you are my wife, - he said bowling
low, ''you will have me always at your side t,
guide and direct.
Melanie gave him a frightened look, ther
turned away again. Yes it was true; tina
man would be always at her side What al
appalling idea.
1T is impossible for me to undertake.
"Allow me to assure you Mademosielle
that consider nobody so worthy as yoursel
| to fulfil the duties of a mother towards m,
little girls. Your discretion, your am liability
! give me thousand guaran tees for the fu
! ture. But your parents will think l abus
my privileges ~ he continued with a wintr-
smile, as he assisted her to rise from To
bench. Then he conducted her to NJ an,
Nine Pontoise, sitting expectant and anx
ious in the drawing room.
Monsieur lie Prefet." said the Count, g
commend my future wife to your care.n
Melanie said nothing but her parents were
/ voluble enough to make amends for her 81
J lince. The Count led them through tn
| grounds to the river, where he had ordered
boat to be in readiness 10 pull them across
NJ. Pontoise went first, his wife followed
Melanie, pale as death, came third. He
dainty high-heeled shoes, fit only for POI
ished floor, failed her on the sloping plank
She slipped and fell into the water. Tn
river was deep Nobody could swim. Th
Count stood on the bank paralyzed-staring
go, go!' screamed Nine. Pontoise. ste
them to stop the mill. She will be carrie,
over it!'' But he seemed petrifed with ter