The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1886-02-16

YET ne IaS MADE no ASCtial
position But Mr.. and Mrs. Chichester have
their hopes. Besides being great parti, he
could completely rehabilitate mamma and
papa by marrying their daughter. He could
lot only make Antoinette Madame Ia Com
tisse, he could repolish the furnished Chiches-
ter escutcheon, and enable her parents once
more to hold up their detected heads"
/ had for some time suspected just how
matters stood. Mosieur De Ia Riviere had
not spoken, and he was almost daily expected
to speak. He might have married a much
more conspicuous member Of society than
Antoinetse Chichester; his wealth and posi-
ton made him welcome in every fashionable
salon Of Paris. His age was about 45-the
age at which so many Frenchmen make up
their minds to take a young wife. He had
never at all prepossessed me; people admired
his manners, his affability. his ease. To me
these We're studied, as if he had learned
them by rigid rule in some academy of
politesse. He seemed to me a man OF stone.
He was known to have fought a number of
duels, and on several occasions either to have
seriously wounded or killed his antagonist.
There was to my mind something drearily
conventional about him; I always felt that
had met him before, again and again, in the
pages of the most unhealthy French novels.
But, of course, when reflected upon the con-
dition which affairs were now assuming, and
remembered my friend Delaplaines distinc-
tive temperament, began to realize that
Monsieur De la Riviere was clearly a man to
be dreaded.
Weeks passed by, and his department
toward Delaplaine, as towards myself, was
systematically urbane and suave. All three of
Us frequently met in the louise o. Antionette,
mean enough quarters, by the way, in the
most dingy portion of the Rue St. Honore.
The counts manner always bored me not
little; he had that air of not taking the trouble
to think with the least diligence on any sub
ject which Frenchmen of his rank often cul-
tivate. He seemed to nibble daintily at every
subject of the least gravity, as though it were
piece of indigestible sweetmeats. | CON
stantly saw that Delaplaine hated to be in the
same apartment with him-and especially
when that apartment contained third occu-
pant, Antoinette.
IF De In Riviere were a Ounce" he said to
me, one day, "a man could tolerate him. But
his deliberated platitudes, his meditated and
affected flippancies, sting you into resent
ment Nobody is to blame for having been
made brainless by nature. It's the inten-
al and professional fool who ought really to
try our patience"
soon saw that Deiaplaine was eating his
heart out with suspense and vexation He
had become certain enough that Antoinette
cared for him, but now he was equally GER
tain that Mr.. and Mrs. Oh hester could not
bring themselves to approve union which
might by any chance deprive their daughter
of countess coronet. They had, in many
words, admitted this. And as for Antoinette,
her flial loyalty-and perhaps the influence
of her French training as well-would not
allow her to take any boldly individual step.
1t was a sort of social deadlock. "Will
the count never speak his mind.' asked my
self, as day followed day. And at last l said
to Delaplaine, seeing how hope deferred had
begun to tell upon both his health aud spirits,
why do not you yourself address the Count
DE Ia REVERE regarding this question:
He gave a quick start. "Egbert," he muir
INJURED, looking at me with great seriousness
II short time afterwards, would you really
counsel ME to do this thing
Decidedly, yes" answered. (Ah. how 1
was fated afterwards to regret that answerD
Delaplaine appeared to muse for few mo-
ments; then he suddenly said, below his
breath, yet with firmness that could admit
of no misunderstanding, Il will do it."
He resolved to call upon the count at the
latter's handsome apartments in the Champs
Elysees, and there hold as friendly and sensi-
BILE chat as the peculiar delicacy as his prof
fered topic would permit. 1 waited for him
in an adjoining cafe. With all my heart I
Ionged to have him return bearing happy
tidings,-assurances from the count that he
had never visited Miss Chichester with
thoughts of matrimony, and entire willing
ness to dissipate all impressions of rivalship
on the part of that young lady's parents.
Meanwhile, 1 understood perfectly how diff
ficult was the task which Delaplaine had set
himself to perform. For man of his alert
dignity and exact pride it must of course have
been actual suffering to approach such fell
low being as De In Rivere and ask if he were
resolved upon marrying his own sweetheart.
That, after all, was just what this most awk-
ward of missions must amount to. had got
to know Deaplaine so well that as sat there
in the cafe awaiting his return, l felt should
be able to read joy or disappointment upon his
face the moment that l once again saw it.
But when this moment at length arrived,
read neither the one nor the other. Delaplaine
was lividly pale as he advanced towards me,
and his face expressed nothing so definitely
as an immense repressed fury. He was
almost powerless to speak, as 1 took his hand,
but he found voice enough to bid me accom-
pany him from the cafe. at once did SO,
and walked forth together. We had
reached the Rue de Rivoli before l asked him
a single question. His head was meanwhile
bent, his lips were compressed, as he walked
at my side. He had long ago taken my arm.
Have you nothing to tell ME, Arthur l
at length asked.
ne answer uiu not coiie iiiiiueuiiteiS. ne
seemed making an effort both to act and to
be his old tranquil self.
"Of course have something to tell you,
Egbert," he presently replied. You must
pardon me Let us strike for the Boulevard
des Capucines-where l live, you know.
Something is perhaps waiting me there by
this time
"waiting You there, Arthur" murmured.
"What!'
A challenge"
had grasped his arm. You mean from
De Ia Rivieref'
Yes, from De Ia Riviere"
Delaplaine turned his eyes upon my face
now Their hazel light looked sultry with
passion. This occurred, )" he said. In ans
wer to my-my question land you know what
That Question 1xas Echertl he rasrno,llad LH-