The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-01-18

At'Tc IN thc ntitiultS ullOW me 10 pre-
sent him." said the duke, as the young
man entered
Ceremonious bows followed. the counts
quick, searching glances comprehending
the new figure as they had the others.
al thank you, sir, for the honor you
have conferred upon my daughter, as,
placed in her position. few gentlemen
in yours would have proposed an alliance
with her."
mo, no! You wrong your daughter
Unaided by the advantages which your
return secures to her, her charms of per-
son and mind would have ensured her
both esteem and love. In accepting my
devotion, your daughter conferred last
ing favor on me-"
The count smiled. ~ see, you are
lover. Alb, well, we are young hut once!
You will remember that in trusting my
daughter to you 1 give you mys one
treasure"
(which / hope fully value, although
/ may really never deserve it." said the
marquis, bowling over the counts hand.
Valentine shook her head at him.
"fou are letting your modesty run
away with your common. sense, Henri. A
few hours ago we stood on equal ground.
Well, Adrienne, is it not wonderful-my
fathers happy returnf"
Think what it is for me, Valentine, for
your father can restore to me miner
"Yours, Adrienne! Why, what have
you heardf"
as il possible that you did not hear
your fathers name when the duke intro
ducel him and the marquis?"
Valentine flushed and hesitated.
"Why, Adrienne, I was so anxious about
Henri that in watching him did not hear
q word of the introduction"
swell, then, Valentine, l can surprise
you your suspicious about the chanoin-
esse were correct. Oh, you must be n
witch. and / am SO happy; I could cry
with joy! Why do you grow white and
shiverf Do you not guessf"
'.Oh. Adrienne, end this suspense. Who
is my fatherf"
"The Count de Mornasse."
"The Count de Mornassew echoed VAL
entine.
.Yes; and oh, Valentine! he may he, he
must be. the man my poor father aided.
He left France twelve years ago"
"The Count de Mornasse!"
Valentine could only repeat the we'll
known name. Now that the suspicion
was verified. now that her own name was
openly given to her, and connected her
with the man, the mere mention of whom
had so agitated the chanoinesse, her rea-
son refused to grasp the fact in its entire
ty. So it is that realities often seem more
impossible than the fctions wildly woven
by the imagination. The Count de Nor
nasse stood before them, in his own per-
son representing q being around whom
lad revolved the thoughts of four per-
sons and in whom the hopes of all were
conferred Valentine could but gaze at
him as he talked to the duke and Henri,
and try to connect him with all these i'm
portant ideas. The man who once lay
helpless on the field, the man for
whose testimony Jean Renaud had so
long waited, the prescribed nobleman,
who had entrusted his little, motherless
CHllu tO tue care Ol tue BOOu CIailOIHeSSe,
and had gone into a weary, hopeless exile,
the forgotten father. for whose return
Valentine had prayed and hoped; the all
powerful witness, whose mere word was
to restore Adrienne to life and joy! No
wonder that. as these considerations
surged through her brain and thrilled her
heart, Valentine could but stand with her
arm around Adrienne, and look at the be-
ing who might indeed be said to have
come, in answer to these strong invoca-
tons, from another world.
Perhaps the duchess and Adrienne were
moved by the same emotions. for they too
had their gaze fastened on the stranger.
at seems too wonderful, too good to be
true, Adrienne. Oh, if you are indeed
right, my happiness will be complete.
Your fathers sacrifice shall not have been
in vain, for my father will give him back
to his country, to his child! The Count
de Mornasse!"