Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1886-03-31

| experiments, Jean and Francois met
me. looked bright, l suppose; 1 meant
to go to Madeleine that evening. Jean
the coarser of the two; stopped when
he saw me.
''ITeRS." he said; ''are you going to
your fair ladyP Some men have strange
taste. How many smiles does she spare
you from the young count?'' And then
he added something coarser, more in
accordance with his brutal thoughts.
Something in my face, 1 suppose,
made Francois say quickly
Leave the lad alone, Jean. What is
it tous?"
laughed-a short Scornful laugh.
do you think any word you can
utter could hurt Madeleine Constant.
or any one else?" 1 said disdalnfully.
Your remarks are as worthless as the
mud on the roadl"
He turned to strike me; but Fran
co.'s interfered.
"AlonS." he said; s'two to one is
too much;" and he dragged him away.
What extraordinary spirit of gentle
ness had fallen on Francois that night
1 know not. And 1? Though 1 had
cast of their accusations against Mad
elelne scornfully, as unworthy of no.
tiee, stood there, that winter evening,
a changed man; demon had entered
into me. Suspicion had been reused in
my soul by jeans hateful words. Hith-
erto, throughout the quiet months that
had passed, had loved Madeleine ten
derly and gently; my affections had
| grown from day to dav;I thought proud
] - n hka
money to ask her to be my wife; and l
could take care of HortenSe. l was
too young, too hopeful perhaps to doubt
or understand life and its possibilities;
L was but twenty-one. On this even
ing my love for Madeleine was changed
1t was by no means so simple, so trust
full, or boyish as heretofore. l remem-
bered now how frequently Madeleine
went to the Chateau, and how happy
she looked when she returned.
All my simple dreams vanished. If
Madeleine could be dazzled by a selfish
dissipated noble, was too proud to
wish to marry her. This did not pre-
vent my loving her. Oh, no; never
loved her so fiercely as at that moment
Love her, shield her, work for her l
| for any weak creature; but marry her?
little imagined how the evil thoughts
in me would diStort her simplest word
or action. Invent home, or rather to
the only roof could then call home.
took my weeks wages from my pocket
and laid them on the table before
Madame Peron.
"Thank Heaven" said, 81 owe you
nothing-and leave you tonight for
ever!n
She looked at me in bewilderment,
and her misery face took more than
usually unpleasant expression.
"Fdrceur," she said, with a laugh,
you are not going to leave us?"
L answered no VOID. l gathered all
my property together-there was not
much-and left the house.
went to the blacksmith's he was
a friend of mine, and slept there that
night. Through all my short life had
never been beaten down by trouble,
have never allowed disappointment or
bitter thoughts to swamp me. In the
morning went to the iron-works as
usual, and asked permission to see
the master that night before left.
swell, Michael y he said abruptly,
''a complaint, suppose? Be as quick
as you can; l am pressed for time"
"No, monsieur" answered, "no
complaint; and not less than half an
hour will suffice Inc to explain all l
wish,"
He looked at me with surprise, took \
out his watch, saw the hour, and said,
IoyFrr, hIc rx-otab hafN-p him
VERY well-half an hour exactly"
took my drawings from my pocket.
| knew that many master ayalled
himself of the brains of his workmen,
appropriated their inventions, and left
them to starve; but had to risk this.
| told Monsieur Bounard of my inven-
tion. He gave me no praise at first;
but he gave me full attentOn. going
over and over everything and master
ing my scheme completely. At the end
he said
Leave me your drawings. L think !
your idea is good. I'll see you to-mor-
row evening""
Then he dismissed me. went back |
to the blacksmIth's; | did not go near |
Madeleine; something held me back. L
could not be quite the same with her |
vet. l wanted to think. Perhaps. if / |
had some news to tell her, she would |
not notice the change in me. The next |
evening was summoned to Monsieur |
Bounard's Office again.
"Well," he said, leaning back in his
chair and looking at me with smile |
as l stood, cap in hand, beside HIM,
.'your invention is clever, very clever, |
and must be tried. If 1t should sue
ceed, what do you expect me to do for
you?''
/ answered without a moments hes
itatiOn-
s'Send me to Paris, give me years /
instruction at the best school OF engl-
neers there, and provide for me during
that time. is it too much to ask, slr!''
He smiled again.
sis that all you wantP You are
modest. I'll tell you what III do: III
send you to Paris at once, before know
whether your invention succeeds or not.
If it falls, you return here and give me
your time and skill in whatever capa-
ity I find you most useful; If 1t sue
ceeds, you shall have fair share OF the
profits. Are you satisiied?"
"More than satisfied, monsieur; am
very grateful.
"The agreement shall be properly
drawn I'D and signed before witnesses:
y on can start for Paris at the end OF
the week. Now L must say good even
ing"
passed out of the office feeling dazeo
and strange. At last was lndepen-
dent: at last could stand alonel L was
to have education perhaps wealth. An,
| was more than match for Count
Horace, the idle, useless aristocrat!
walked straight to Madeleine's cot
tage. 1t was dark when 1 got there.
For a moment 1 fancied l saw a lace
at the window. watching for me, and
my heart gave bound. Probably 1t
was only fancy. 1 grew calm again as
l walked in, and / thought OF the
count.
Madeleine was alone. She came for
~