The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1885-07-16
1t was Franz de Boissy she accepted.

|
s'For me ?''
Yes, undoubtedly +; for whom else woul
9 have sung?"
: 1.-The knight, said hooking voice.
The young man turned around. AliC
had heard him and launched at him TIL
bantering remark.
> 1.-The role of the troubadours often Wa
to sing for absent knights replied tn
: young man.
! 'That is lofty sort of disinterestet
ness, said Alice, withdrawing.
} ''She is right murmured Laura.
Are your thoughts still on that III
) known one. Can the bands of an old al
! lection such as ours avail nothing agains
: this recollection"
The young girl did not reply; thes
, words revealed to her the feelings of Fran
and caused her an excited surprise. He
or his part, interpreted her silence in
sense unfavorable to his cause. He shove
himself, the remainder of the evening
more reserved when near Laura.
Presently, CASTOR approached hi
cousin and, burning his ships, he attempt
ed to make her recall the decision whicl
crushed his hopes of the future. Laur;
stood her ground sweetly but firmly.
''All then is ended between us, is i
not ?" said the young man.
mo, CASTOR, we shall remain friends, al
it should be with relatives
Don't you count on that; if you re-
ject mel shall never see you again."
II shall regret it, but it will be YOU
fault"
us your decision irrevocable?'
''Yes, and 1 hope that reflection, by
giving you calmness, will restore to me
your friendship"
Never -
| CASTOR withdrew. A prey to keen
emotion, he went out of the room and en-
tered the park; the night air refreshed his
burning brow. That which swayed the
heart of the young man was rather vio-
lent feeling of spite than sincere grief +;
his affection for Laura no longer existed
he hated her; he thought with rage of
the humiliation which would result to him
from the success of Franz, for he didn't
doubt it was he Laura would choose.
Il have been silly to add to the number
of her admirers; she is a cold coquet,
greedy Of homage and success. So many
others would have been happy to have
been sought by me! At this moment,
would accept. it don't matter who, any
young girl bringing to me fortune sufi-
GENTLY large for me not to be placed
among the vanqaished who will adorn the
triumph Of M. de Boissy."
Madame de Tillac had remarked the alb
sence of her son she guessed what must
be passing in him she suffered from the
disappointment which he had experienced.
She was crafty, positive woman an idea
flashed like sunlight into her mind.
Where is CASTOR ~ she asked her hus-
band.
''There he is on the terrace
Il wish to speak to him."
M. de Tillac called his son he came
pale and downcast.
''Gaston," said his mother to him, shave
you spoken to Laura p
''It is all ended between u.s." responded
he in hollow voice.
us that reason why you should exhibit
to every one the spectacle of your despair !;
moreover, you will be able to make better
choice if you wish to-
81 prefer Laura to all Others y
''She doesn't agree with you, however.
Hear, was speaking to your father of
what one of my friends has just said to
me. What would you think Of Marie
Burn, the daughter of the rich American
manufacturer Don't you find her charm
ing in her Venitian costume ?''
II have noticed her very little"
''She is not so Indifferent and if you
were willing to lay aside the vain young
girl who dispises you and make your hon.
age to Miss Burn
"She would consent to put my crown
and my arms ON the corner of her pocket
handkerchief, Uninterrupted the young man.
''Oh don't take things in this fashion !;
my friend has repeated to me: Mr.. Cas-
ton has only to say the word, charge my
self with the rest. The opportunity is a
good one"
what does my father think ?"
II should have preferred Laura, replied
Mr.. de Tillac there is no need of think
ing longer of her and this proposition is
serious"
''She issuperb, ''added Madame de Tillac,
1.-TWO hundred thousand francs as dowry.
My brother-in-law said to me this morn
ing: leave my daughter free to make her
| choice, but she must decide. Will you
| wait, CASTOR, until Laura comes to in
form you of her marriage with Mr.. de
| Boissy."
Most assuredly not, my mother marry
me to whomsoever you wish, it little mat
] tiers, provided it be before my cousins.
st is not necessary to act foolishly,'
said MI. de Tillac.
II approve the choice of my mother
and the million of Miss Burn pleases me
beyond limit
May / speak to my friend 20
Eyes, my mother ?"
An hour later, CASTOR was introduced to
Mr.. and Madame Burn who received him
very favorably the young girl, radiant
with joy thinking she had won him away
from the beautiful Laura, smiled on Gas
ton. The good friend of Madame de
Tillac went from group to group murmur-
ing:
Look at that fine looking couple which
that medieval knight and the lady in We
nitian costume form CASTOR is, indeed, a
very handsome fellow and you see how
pleased Marie Burn is in listening to him.
Between us believe we shall soon hear
some news don't speak of it, the matter
is still a secret"
When one wishes a DIT Of news to be
, spread abroad, the best way always is to
advise secrecy. In fact, every one soon
knew that CASTOR was accepted by the
! rich manufacturer.
The men said that he had received the
mitten from Laura. the woman whispered
silly and saw in the anxious air of the
young girl only spite at seeing Marie Burn
preferred to her.
l