The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-30
a TIMELY RESCUE.

tan, lounged back in his arbor, the very picture
Of full blown content A cup Of black coffee
was on the table before him, and he had just
lighted an unimpeachable cigar.
But mere bodily comfort had not rendered the
worthy prefet so radiant; he had received very
agreeable news that morning. M. lie Comte de
la G~roiserie, one of the most distinguished resi-
dents in the neighbofhood, had asked the hand
of Mile. Melanie Pontoise in marriage. The
event was SO hattering, so unexpected, thar the
happy parents could scarcely contain themselves
for joy, and were eager to tell their daughter the
honor that awaited her.
Nine. Pontoise soon appeared, followed by a
pretty, fair haired girl, who put her hand caress-
ingly on her fathers arm.
Now, then, petit pere, What is it you have to
tell mel see it is something nice. Another
invitation to England perhapsF'
A slight shade passed over the beaming counr
tenance of Mae. Pontoise, as she answered for
her husband. mo; you ave been too much in
England already. Your last visit filled your
foolish little head with all sorts of IDEAS
well, never mind said the good-tempered
prefet, Ticking some cigar ashes of the spheri-
cal surface OF his white waistcoat; this has
nothing to do with England. On the contrary,
it is something to keep you here. How should
you like to be q eountessE'
Not at all, papa. would rather stay with
you plain Mademoiselle Pontoise.s
You've been that long enough put In her
mother; lit is high time to change. u. lie Comte
Go aeCroiserie has written to ask for your hand
in marriage, and your father Is deeply sensible
Of the honor"
Melanie opened her eyes. sNWhy, papa is q
Republican, He laughs at titles!s
Nonsense, childR said M. Pontoise; what
do you know about ~politicsgD
But it was true, nevertheless, and NJ. Poutoise
could not deny it. Still, 1t was all very well to
laugh at titles when you hadn't any yourself,
but III. Pontoise very naturally felt it would be
quite a different matter if he had a count for a
son-in-law. So he answered his only child rather
testify, telling her that she knew nothing about
politics, and had much better turn her attention
to her toilet for the evening.
Mime. Pontoise took the hint at once and led
the way back to the house, Melanie following
slowly and silently. When they were safe in
the seelusion of the girls bedroom Nine. Pom
tolse began to reason with her daughter.
What is the matter, ma fllel What OBJ
lection have you to NJ. de Ia Croiseriel That he
is a widoweri BAH that is nothing; That he is
older than you2 All, my child, you will know
some day how we'll it is to have q husband of
that age, possessed Of the most admirable quail
ties. Why, he is everywhere sought after; you
will be the envy Of the neighborhoodp
That was undoubtedly true; still, Melanie did
not look convinced.
"But 1 don't know him, mamma. Ihave only
seen him twice.
what more would you haveY Who expects
you to know hint We have not yet adopted the
English habit of allowing young girls to form
intimacies with men; but you have heard ofhim.
Every one is acquainted with his good heart
his1-
'.Ohi yes mammal interrupted Melanie inn
patiently; Il have heard his praises sung till /
am tired. Solo, duet. or chorus, the refrain 1s
always the same. He is good! He is such a kind
fathern
you surely don't object to the children,
Mcdaniel Three d~arlings, and only girls. Re-
member, you have already vexed your father
twice by refusing two very eligible offers. Do
not disappoint him again by rejecting NJ. de la
Croiserie, the most eligible of all Heis coming
to a little dinner en- famille,' so that you may
judge of one another. And now l leave you to
choose your dress" and Mime. Pontoise hurried
away.
Melanie stood by the window, gazing drearily
out upon the view. Below in binding sunshine
was the stiff, trim little garden in which her
fathers soul delighted: few orchards interviewed
between that and the river Wire, and inn
mediately on the other bank lay the grounds of
the Chateau de Ia Groiserie. The trees were in
full Leaf, SO that but little of the house was
visible, but Melanie could see a small turret
window, which she knew was the Counts dress
ing-room. Her heart sank within her. The
Count was a fine match from a worldly point of
view. 1t was very aattering that he should
wish to make her his wife, but she felt it would
Dc lHpOSSlbi6 10 love nIm. G6 WAS so colo, SO
stiff. Her mother said the best kind Of love for
a woman came after marriage, but Melanie
shHddered at the risk. Could it be that she had
really imbibed foolish ideas during her visit to
England She had dreamed there Of something
very different Was marriage one of the things
they manage better in France2 Well, it was to
be hoped so. Melanie sighed and the turrets of
her future home were blotted only by mist Of
binding tears.
Suddenly there came q loud peal at the door.
Who n011ld ho rfnOinO 60 vioianflv4 HaH fha
Count proved too ardent q lover to wait til the
EVENING" The idea was grotesqne; besides, he
would never do anything SO incorrect.
While she was wondering. her mother came
rushing into the room, holding a card in her
hand.
Here is young Mr.. Paget come to see your
father. How provoking! just as he has gone
to the prefecture. Do go Town and see him.
You can speak English, and you must tell him
where to go.
Melanie stood transfxed. The event which
seemed so commonplace to the mother seemed q
miracle to the girl. MIR. Paget was her fathers
English partner; it was at his house that she had
paid those visits of which Nine. PontOise disap-
proved His daughter Alice was her sehool-fel-
low and friend; his soon Tom was-well, he was
her friend, too.
And to think that he should appear to-day
dropped from the clouds, as it Werei
Recovering herself, she ran quickly down
stairs. tall, sunburnt young man was stand
ing Ia the middle of the room, looking eagerly
toward the door.
ssOh, Monsieur TOMB she cried; ''est-l posi-
ble77
why not2" he said smiling; fam I SO altered9
But, / say. you mustn't talk French, you know.
! can't understand q word of that"
Melanie laughed, but the tears so recently re-
pressed were very near the surface. Papa
will be very glad to see you she said, with her
pretty accent.
Mr.. Tom looked moderately elated at the as
surance.
II think you might say you were glad, too,
Mile. Melanie, for unless | had expected to see
you, l should not have come 100 miles out Of my
way. l hope you haven't forgotten your stay
with as. We had great fun, If you remember.
Do you ~recollect our ride on the tricycle. and
our picnics on the river2p
II shall never forget them!7 she answered, her
eyes cleaning like sunshine after rain. There
WAC 4 ranraaead infensity IN her tonas whieh did