Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1889-07-31


be 70 make you look upon these two
portraits.
Pierre pointed TO two pictures which
hung above the mantelpiece. One re-
presented the Baron's father, dressed
In the uniform OF Colonel, his face
wearing the calm and virile expression
of man who knew no fear. The
other was the image of a woman whose
features reflected that serenity OF soul
and that goodness of heart which
made all who knew her love and
admire her.
The young man stood spellbound
before the two pictures. Deep emo
ton showed itself in his eyes.
During the last war;" said the old
servant, ~ stood near your father
when he was struck by a piece of a
bursting she'll. He suffered the pains
OF martyrdom, and yet the result OF
the battle occupied his thoughts more
than his wound. A fugitive passed
near us, and he at once became anx-
ious to know how the battle was going.
When he learned that our men, over
powered by numbers. were yielding,
an angry light came into his eyes. He
compelled me to help him mount his
horse. and, barely able to keep his
seat, no rode into the midst OF the
fray. His regiment, seeing their
leader covered with blood and present
ing the image OF death, took courage
and routed the enemy. But the Col
onel was not able to witness the end OF
the battle; he fell fainting into my
arms, and for month lay on his bed
between life and death. Monsieur,
you being the son OF such father will
not kill yourself"
After moments 81 lence Pierre con-
tinued:
II have seen your mother lying on
the bed which she did not leave till
she went to the graveyard. A dis
ease, for which she knew there was
no remedy, was consuming her. Her
face was calm although her suffering
was terrible. A complaint never
escaped her lips. She forgot herself
to think Of those whom she was about
to leave behind her. A man who has
had such mother will not try to take
his life."
The old servant seemed to be trans
figured. His face, always calm and
impassive. had assumed soulful look
which made deep impression on the
young man, who was no less moved.
But it was not time for sentiment
or emotion. The Baron was ruined,
and it was necessary for him to adopt
some means of extricating himself
from the difficulties which surrounded
him. He did not fear to express
before Pierre his uncertainty as to the
best course for him to pursue.
Monsieur" said the old servant,
"there is many wealthy tradesman
who would be happy to have his
daughter known as the Baroness de
Brantel."
"Sell my name for money? How
dare you make such a suggestionP'
"Well, there is Mile. Jeanne de
Rosel. There was time when she
would not have hesitated to marry
you. and you know that one of your
mothers regrets was that she died
without seeing her your wife"
IL sighted her when Twas rich, and
now that / am poor | would hardly
ask her to repair my wasted fortune.
Never would l make her such an in
sulting proposal. But must decide
upon some course at once. / have a
friend who owns a large estate in AL
giers. / am sure that he would will
ingly make me superintendent of it,
shall offer him my services and as
soon as his answer comes we will de-
part"
Every well. But first it will be
necessary for you to go to Brantel
A purchaser for the chateau has been
found and it will soon be sold"
"Ah, we'll, the sale can be made
without me-"
Impossible There are legal form
alities which require your presence.
Besides there are family souvenirs. of
no value to any one but yourself, which
you would not care to have pass into
the possession of strangers"
The Baron allowed himself to be
persuaded. and three days afterward,
accompanied by Pierre, he arrived at
the estate OF his ancestors.
During the night he passed at the
manor, which on the morrow would
cease to be his, the young Baron did
not close his eyes. On rising he went
for a walk in the garden. He wanted
70 bid adieu to all the places endeared
to him by memory. There he used to
sit, book in hand; here was favorite
walk of his mother, whose sweet voice
he fancied that he still could hear; in
this arbor he had had long converse
tions with Jeanne, and 1t seemed as
though he could see her graceful fig
ure and smiling face prettily framed
by the foliage.
For long time he was lost in these
reveries, and the sun was high when
he took his way back to the house.
Suddenly he stopped, thinking he must
be dreaming. Through the open win
dow Of the chamber which his mother
used to occupy came the sound Of a
piano; the air was one of which, in
other days, he had never tired. A
prey to violent emotion, his heart
palpitating, he seated himself on a
bench and listened. In few minutes
the sound Of the piano ceased, but he
remained in the same place. plunged in
sorrowful reflection. Presently light
sound attracted his attention; he lifted
his eyes and saw young girl, who
looked at him with smile.
Jeanne! Jeanne! You herep" he
said, in a troubled voice. ut was you
/ heard playingP"
To-day Brantel passes into the pos
session of strangers" she replied.