Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-27

away. and the Count and NJ lie Prefet had gone
into the garden to discuss matters by the light
OF post-prandial cigar Tom seized his Oppor-
tunity.
Your father has told me everything" he
SAID. in low voice. 81 hope you will be
happy"
"Ah! Monsieur Tom" she sighed. with a
pretty appealing gesture of her hands and an
can doI'
IF you don't like him. there is still time
when you are married it will be too late
Before Meane had time to answer Nine
Pontolse returned, and the young people sepa-
rated.
VIII you not join the gentlemen now, Mon
sieur Paget?" she said meaningly My daughter
VIII give US song; hut you can hear very well
in the garden"
81 think / will take my leave. madame.
nave already trespassed too long upon your hos
pitality;' and Tom departed. But ali the way
TO his hotel he was uneasy and doubling.
What can do? How wish knew what she
really wants What fool am! What sent
ihe mere 10 trouble that poor girls life? What
grand. wonderful eyes she has, with the plead
ing look of some dumb animal in themi She
Doesn't like the Frenchman-but-I wonder if
she likes me! | wasn't bit in love with her
when came-at least think not-but now!
oh. II 1 could only speak to the girl. The
mother giares at me like dragon. Poor. pretty
Meianle! I'd give anything to know what she
thinks of me. l wonder what fellow ought
to dol"
The next morning rose clear and beautiful,
and NJ. de la Croserie sent over a mounted mes
senger to beg the Prefet and his family to lunch
at the chateau. The worthy Prefet and his wife
were radiant but Melanie, who had slept badly,
looked pale and worn.
The poor girl was desperate She saw no
nelp. no escape. 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 her into
the old-fashioned garden.
She felt the crisis Of her life had come. Oh
for courage to make a stand
NJ. de L: CrOisere led her to a stone bench and
sat down beside her
Il wish to thank you MademOiselle." he
said, gravey. 'for accepting my suit T am
older than you. many think me austere but
assure you that you shall never regret the de-
cision you have made
Aeiane turned away her head. Those meas
ured tones seemed to freeze her. Yet Tom had
said. Think before you decide: when YOU are
married it will be too late" So. summoHing her
courage, she taltered-
You think too highly of me- Monsieur lie
Comte. am deeply sensible of your fattering
preference. but am not equal to the position"
The Count listened benignly He thought it
all very proper and ditlident but he attached
no weight to it whatever
when you are my wife" he said. bowling
low. You will have Inc always at your side to
guide and direct"
Meanie gave him frightened look, then
turned away again. Yes. it was true; that man
would be always at her side. What an appalling
idea.
1T is impossible for me to undertake.
"Alio" he to assure you, mademoisee. that
CONSIDER nobody so worthy yourself to fulfil
the duties of a mother tow ards my little girls
Your discretion, your amabty, give me a
thousand guarantees for the future. But your
parents VIII think abuse my privileges" be
continued. with W'ntry smile as he assisted
her to rise from the bench. Then he conducted
her to NJ. and Nine. PontOise sitting eXpcctant
ana anxious III the drawing room.
Monsieur lie Prefet" said the Count, Il COM
mend my future wife to your care"
Meianie said nothing. but her PARENTS were
Voiubie enough to make amends for her
silence: The Count led them through the
grounds to the river, where he had ordered a
boat to be III readiness to pull them across ".
Pontoise went first, his wife followed Melanie.
pale as death came third. Her dainty high
heeied shoes lit only Tor a polished floor. failed
her on the s!opin% plank. She slipped and fell
into the water. The river was deep. Nobody
could swim. The Count stood on the bank
para. rZe1-StaTng.
go. gO." screamed Nine. Pontofse, .toll
them to stop the mill. She will be carried over
II But ne seemed petrifed with terror
NJ PontOse had thrown off his coat and was
STRUGGLING i'll the water, endangering his own
HE without saving his daughters Nine Pom.
t0Se did nothing but shrek, but it was the best
thing she could do. 1t brought rescue Tom
Ia@rt Had not gone to Paris; he was lowering
ABOUT. Undecided. uneasy; he heard her screams.
ana rushed up IN a moment. He saw at once
what had happened. and running G. few wards
GOWN the stream. plunged in. lie had Caicu-
lated We'll. Melanie rose to the surface close TO
the spot. and it was but the work of few
strong strokes and she was safe again in the
boat The next thing was TO rescue NJ. Pom
tose. His struggles had exhausted him and
driven the air from his lungs his clothes, heavy
with the water, pulled him down and when
Tom dragged him out of the water he was
quite lnsensblc. Fortunately he was near
nome. Restolatiycs were procured and soon he
and Melanie were in each others arms, rejoicing
III their safety.
Tom had no reason to complain that Nine.
pontoise glared at him like dragon now. The
poor lady had no terms to express her gratitude.
mere was no more question of his continuing
lis journey to Paris: the grateful parents would
not let him go Before they retired for the
night he had an opportunity of learning Me-
lame wishes, and found they coinci,lcd entirely
with his own With Tom by her side Melanie
leels equal TO rejecting dozen cOunts and it is
MOI Hktiy the worthy rrefet ard his wife will
refuse their Child to the man who saved her life