The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1886-01-23
A TIMELY RESCUE.

N his dtDOP, the very picture u Iui4-
blown content. A cup OF black coffee
vas on the table before him and he
had Just lighted an unimpeachabIe
cigar.
But mere bodily comforts had not
rendered the worthy Prefet sOradiant;
he had receive very agreeable news
that morning. NJ. lie Comtede la Crois
erie, one o. the most distinguished
residents IN the neighborhood, had
asked the hand of Nile. Me.anie Pom
toise in marriage. The event was so
fattering, so unexpected, that the
happy parents could scarcely contain
themselves for 10Y, and were eager to
tell their daughter the honor that
awaited her.
Nine. Pontoise soon appeared, fol
lowed by pretty, feir-haiTed girl, who
put her hand caressiLgly on her fathers
arm.
Now, then, petit pere, what Is it
you hcve to tell me? | see it is some
thing nice Another invitation to En-
gland, perhaps ?"
A slight shade passed over the beam
ing COuntenanCe OF Nine. POntOise, as
she answered for her husband, "No;
you have been too much in England
already. Your last visit filled your
foolish little head with all sorts OF
ideas"
ssWeII, never mind, said the good
tempered Prefet, Ticking some cigar
ashes off the spherical surface of his
white waistcoat; this has nothing to
do with England. On the contrary it
is something to keep you here, How
should you ike to be a countess ?"
Not at all, papa. | would rather
stay with you, PLAIN MademoiselIe
FOntOise
You've been that long enough, Z"
put in her mother; lit is high time to
change NJ le Comre de la Croiserie
has written to ask for your hand III
marriage, and your father is deeply
sensible OF the honor"
MeIanie opened her eyes. "Why,
papa is Republican, He laughs at
titles
Nonsense, child" saidM. Pontoise;
"what do you know about politics ~
But it was true nevertheless, and NJ.
Pontoise could not deny it. Still 1t
was all very Well to laugh at titles
when you hadn't any yourself, but
NJ. POntOISe very naturally felt it
would be quite a different matter if he
had q count for a sOn-ln-law So he
answered his only child rather testify.
telling her that she knew nothing
about politics, and had much better
turn her attention to her toilet for the
evening.
Nine Pontoise took the hint at
once, and led the way back to the
house, Melanie following slowly and
silently. When they We're safe III the
secluslOn OF the girls bedroom Nine.
PontOise began to reason with her
daughter.
.What is the matter, ma file?
What objection have you to NJ. de la
Croiserie? That he is q widower?
Bah, that is nothing. That he is old
er than yOu2 All my child, YOU will
know some day how well it is to have
a husband of that age, possessed OF
the most admirable qualities. Why.
he Is everywhere sought after; you will
be the envy Of the neighbOrhood."
That was undoubtedly true; still,
Melanie did not look convinced.
"But | don't know him, mamma. /
have only seen him twice
"Wh t more would youhave2 Who
expects you to know him? We have
not yet adopted the English habit of
allowing young girls tofOrm iutimacies
with men; but you have heard OF him
Every one Is acquainted with his good
heart-his
"Oh, yes, mamma" Interrupted
Melanie impatientiy; Il have heard
his praises sung till | am tired. Solo,
duet or chorus, the refrain is always
the same. He is so good he Is such a
kind father
you surely don't object to the
children, Melarie2 Three darlings,
and only girls. Remember you have
already vexed your father twice by
refusing two very eligible offers. Do
not disappoint him again bv rejecting
Nj. de Ii Clriserie, the most eligible Of
all He : 3ming to a little dinner en-
tamllle,' 50 that you may Judge of one
another. And now | leave YOU to
chooseyourdress and Mime. Pontoise
hurried away.
Melanie stood by the window, gazing
drearIy out upon the view. Below in
binding sunshine was the stiff, trim
little garden in which her fathers soul
delighted; a few orchards interviewed
between that and the river Eire. and
Immediately on the other b,nk layt the
grounds OF the Chateau de la Croiserie.
The trees We're in full leaf, so that bat
lttle o. the house was visible: but
Melanle could see a small turret win
dow, which she knew was the count s
dressing Her heart sank within
her. The count vas a tinematch from
a worldly point of view. 1t was very
fatterlng that he should wish tomake
me- his wife, but she felt it would be
impossible TO love him. He was so
cold, so stiff. Her mother said the
best kind OF love tor a woman came
after marriage, but Meanie shuddered
at the risk. Could it he that She had
really lmhlbed foolish IDEAS during her
visits to England See had dreamed
there OF something very different.
Was marriage one of the things they
manage better in France? Well. +
was 70 be hoped so Melanie sighed.
and the turrets OF her future nome
we've hlorted only by a mist OF binding
ears
Suddenly there came a loud peal at
tile door. Who could be ringing 50
violently Had the count proved
too ardent a lover to wait tin the
evening The idea was grotesque: be
sides ne would never do anything so
incorrect.
While she was wondering hermo-hel
came rushing into the room holding a
card IN her hand.
Here Is young Mr.. Paget come 10
seeYoLuristher. Howproyoking, Just
i he has gone to the Prefecrure ~
90 down and see him. You can spsa /
English, and you must tell him where
10 20.
Meanie stood transfxed. The
event which seemed 50 commonplace
10 the mother seemed a miracle - The
siri: Mr.. Paget was her fathers En-.
slish partner; it was at his house that
sne mad paid those visits Of which
Nine, Pontoise disapproved. Hi.
daughter Alice was her school fellow