The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-09-26
.ltercation beneath the tunnel as well as

whispered she. "Such little quarrel as
this is nothing at ALL You should hear
them when they have real high words to-
gether / sometimes tremble to think of
what will be their life when they are mar
RED"
I almost shrieked aloud as she pronounc-
ed the fatal word, and bursting from hel
without uttering syllable. hurried to my
own chamber and locked myself in.
heard her speed up the staircase after me,
and feared that she might think | needed
her assistance; but she turned back with
an exclamation of astonishmcnt, and ele-
scended slowly to the hail.
/ was not long in recovering the con-
seriousness of my being, of my mission in
this world, of the dignity of my position,
and of all / owed to my fathers memory
as well as to myself The Abbe's lessons
came back to my soul at the right season,
and, after few moments quiet self-com-
mune, raised my head once more, and re-
membered all this with thanks to Provi-
dence for having put an end to my delusive
hopes while there was yet time. But one
pang renamed small and petty wound
inflicted on my feminine sense OF justice,
as it were / had been prepared for Cous-
in Oetave's want of filth; had accepted
my age as its excuse, with the conviction
that it was to Mdlle. Emile that his unstable
love had been transferred. But even this
consolation was denied me. To the love
of his early youth, whose freshness and
beauty had faded while trusting through
long years to his faith to the daughter of
the man who had taken him to his heart
and helped him into life and independence,
he had preferred a woman much older
than himself, whose imperious beauty was
marred not merely by the lines of departed
youth, but by those of vulgar arrogance
and evil temper.
Again did I take up Cousin Octave's
little looking-glass, and was pleased with
the comparison on viewing the reflection Of
my visage there. The disturbance of soul
| had so lately undergone had left no trace
save that deeper shade of sadness was
visible in the expression of the eyes; but
no peevishness nor irritation, and not the
slightest sign of envy or malice was to be
beheld As | restored the little mirror to
its place upon the toilet table large i'll
folded letter, addressed to ''My dear Adele, :"
in the large, illfashioned writing of the
Able, met my gaze A slight return of
weakness was perceptible to myself in the
trembling of my hand and the catching of
my breath as [ opened it-deliberately,
however, and without dread. The COM
munication was short and pithy:
daughter, canst thou bear up under
disappointment? | have much to tell thee
Be alone tomorrow, betimes, in the libra
ry. There will I await thee. Remember
Be firm, and place thy trust and conf
dence where alone thou cans't not be be-
trayed."
I unused but for moment over the mes
sage, then changed my dress, throwing
aside the lowered muslin with its lace
trimmings and gay ribbons which l had
worn at dinnertime, and resumed my suit
of sober gray, and by this time I had
changed my mood likewise, and resumed
my calm demeanor. Madame de M6ris
was still under the influence of the irrita-
ton with which she had rebuked Cousin
Octave's attempts at soothing her temper.
Octave himself was silent and depressed,
and Mdlle Emile looked perplexed and be-
wildered at my restored tranquility. The
supper passed off in conversation furnished
by the Able and myself, and kept up with
our usual gayety and good-humor, airy and
independent as though we had no other
aim than that of inspiring the same gayety
and good-humor in cur guests. As we
parted for the night l observed a DISPOSE
ton to melting tenderness in Octave's voice.
Trembling with emotion, he was about to
whisper some word intended for my ear
alone, when the Able approached, and
taking my hand before Octave could raise
it to his lips, as he was about to do, he said
gently, as he placed his own hand upon my
head in token of benediction "Forget
not tomorrow in the library. l have that
to say which can be listened to nowhere
else so we'll" [ raised my eyes and met
his gaze openly, without curiosity, and
without fear.
"Dear father" l said, II know all that
you would say. No need to sound the
charge to combat, the victory is already
won.
To his look of astonishment l answered
with smile of the deepest reverence and
love, aud withdrew ere yet the amazement
caused by my words had passed away.