The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-09-26

substance reticent and cold. Octave began
by declaring himself overjoyed at returning
to Europe, and then ran into the descrip-
ton of all the happiness he had enjoyed at
Martinique, particularly oflate 'ltwould
have been complete" he said, chad 1t not
been marred by the privation of my let
ters." This was prettily turned, but seemed
like an afterthought There was, indeed,
throughout loving remembrance OF former
days, but always the same indescribable
reticence and sudden breaking off which
had struck me from the first. But as L
drew near the end ample compensation was
found in the announcement OF his lmme-
diate return and the hope OF once more
being able to talk about old times and visit
old places toward which his heart had been
yearning for ten long, weary years. And
this was all that concerned our relative
position. 1t was not till after second
perusal, more greedy, if possible, than the
first, that [ became conscious that not
single word of love was apparent through
out the whole epistle. Indeed, there seemed
all through sort of vacillating caution, as
if fearing to say too much should he ven
ture to say all.
There was no compensation in the latter
portion of the missive, which was filed with
details concerning people unknown to me
and events in which l took no interest.
He told me, for instance, that his greatest
friend in the island had lately died and had
left him trustee of the great estate OF Les
Sablons and guardian of his only child,
daughter, to whom had been bequeathed
large fortune, while to the widow but
small annuity had been awarded. The
delicate health of the daughter demanding
the advice of European doctors, he felt 1t
incumbent on him, as her guardian, to
bring her with him. She would, of course,
be accompanied by her mother, who watched
over her with the greatest vigilance. He
added that I should find both Nine de
Meris and her stepdaughter most charming,
and as he was indebted to them for great
kindness and attention during long visit
he had made to Les Sablons, he would take
the liberty of bringing them both to Les
Charmilles. He wrote hurriedly, he said,
only few hours before embarking, and
would be at the dear old home as fast as
tide and steam could bring the party to
Blencourt. Then, as if his mind had been
disburdened of all by which it had been
oppressed, he launched forth in his old
witty, satirical style, quoting "reminiscences
of all the ridiculous old fogies on whom he
used to play his boyish pranks-the last
page being filled with all the extinct old
family Jokes, which brought to mind the
good old days when we were young togeth-
er Why was it that those days now seemed
further off, older than ever? Because
there was evidently strained effort on the
writer's part to assume the good numor
which he knew had once regarded as the
most attractive feature in his character.
And then-I knew not why or wherefore
i fell to musing on the comparative pro-
portion Of our respective ages, and for the
first time felt timid. [ was twenty years
of age when Octave left the Charmilles; he
was twenty-five. He must now be thirty
three, while I am thirty-one. The differ
ence was nothing then; but now the world
will say, perhaps, not that he is too young
for me, but that [ am too old for him.
Just as the thought traversed my mind
the door opened, and the Able entered.
He started on beholding the sorowful ex-
preston of my countenance.
"Octave is coming at once p | whispered,
as I handed him the letter,
He was struck on looking at the post
mark
"What, by the Joyeusel" exclaimed he
in astonishment; "why, | noticed last night,
in reading my Moniteur, that the Joyeuse
had arrived and landed her passengers at
Nantes. Ifso, Octave can be here to-day"
So sudden was the emotion produced by
the words that [ was scarcely conscious of
what nature were the feelings they created.
I could not tell whether the revulsion l
experienced was that of joy or sorrow, and
in a kind of stupor [ rose and followed the
Able through the park to the hall door of
the chateau [ was not prepared by the
possibility suggested by the Able for the
sight which awaited me. The confusion
of boxes and packages, the cloaks and trav-
cling gear, told me at once of the arrival [
had longed for with such intensity, and yet
filed me with such dread now that it had
really occurred The old housekeeper was
sobbing aloud at the sight of young Octave,
and Cauvin, the aged steward, began to
pace restlessly about, almost dancing with
excitement at the suddenness of the event
These were the sole occupants Of the cha
teau during mass, as the rest of the servants
had gone to the service.
The door of the salon was ajar, and, as |
stood breathless and transfxed, [ could see
the shadow of woman cast by the strong
sunlight upon the polished floor, as it moved
hurriedly to and fro, while abrupt whisper
ings met my ear. The tones were those
of displeasure and reproach, and were an
swered soothiugly in the deep, subdued
voice of man, while from the furthermost
corner of the room deep sigh was breath
ed, as of some one weary and In distress
stood for moment so overcome by emo
ton that 1 dared not enter the salon. At
last the voice of the Able close to my ear
dissolved the SPELL
daughter, take courage, whispered he
remember there is time for all things. !"
He pushed the door wide open, and
handed me into the salon.
For moment every object seemed to
turn before my sight, and it was not until
an exclamation uttered in mans voice had
saluted my ear that [ recovered my senses
and my sight sufficiently to recognize in the
bronzed and somewhat developed features
before me those of my cousin Octave. He
had grown stouter-both face and figure
seemed swollen, as it were perhaps the
effect of the long sea voyage and the heat
and fatigue of the journey from Nantes.
His eyes appeared much smaller and his
mouth much larger. He looked at me
steadfastly as 1 entered with trembling pace,
then, sliding across the polished floor, ex-
claimed in somewhat horse tone, as of one
under past rather than present emotion
"Comment do [ behold my own dear
Cousin Adele?" In his precipitation his
foot had caught in the painted flower stand
in front of the window Fortunately the
flower pots had been put out for air upon
the window sill, but the shock of the fall
and the ringing noise of the metal com
pletely upset my nerves, SO that | could
not utter a word of welcome, but sobbed
hysterically. He must have been embar-
rassed. for he STONED to pick up the flower