The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1889-05-24


terribly when 1 explained my change
1t by this time"
LET Ss hope So" said Toinette,
sweetly, and kissed her good-by.
"Good-by, darling. Be sure to ask
the colonel if he borrowed from you
when he built the river villa and the
city brown stone"
Indeed, / will not"
Toinette was angry, but the ugly
suspicion had taken root
"a retired officers half pay would
not keep up such an establishment as
this" she reflected. He had no in
heritance; have heard him say so.
He certainly has wealth, and spends
it royalty. Can it be mine? How do
/ know have any2 / know nothing
of my affairs. The few times | have
questioned him he cvaded me. How
dare / suspect him? Mrs. Etynge knows
nothing. Why should she be so bitter
against the man she rejectedg"
The jar of the Eoat as 1t touched the
shore interrupted her unpleasant train
of thought.
SHOW detestable! No ono expects
me. Twill have to walk home" was
the exclamation that rose to her lips
She was thoroughly weary when
she reached her destination, and glad
to escape to her room unnoticed. She
did not see her guardian until dinner,
and, absorbed in her own reflections,
she did not observe that he was silent
and distract.
will you come with me into the
library2" he asked, as they were leav-
ing the dining room. II have news
of importance to communicate.
Secretly wondering, she followed
him, and sank into huge chair with
the apparent intention of going to
sleep. His first words awakened her
thoroughly.
Il received today letter from your
father. He is in this country. He is
on his way here. Republics, he says,
are not less ungrateful than individ-
uals. His warfare against Napoleon,
his long exile have counted as moth
ing. The French republic has ignored
his claims as completely as the pre-
tensions OF Chambord He has quilted
France forever"
", lily luJuSTl w it'll Will ilO IttiCh
here2" cried Toinette, eXcitedly.
1.-THE letter was delayed. He may
arrive tomorrow"
They were both silent for q few
moments Then Col. Graham rose
and stood before her.
'Toinette," he began huslzily, she
writes that he will make his home in
New York that he will take you from
my home to his"
He paused abruptly, and waited, as
if for answer. None came.
He continued ut is twelve years
since he gave you into my charge. He
thought that he could return to France
where he fondly dreamed that free
dom was at last triumphant-partici-
pate in the organization of the repub-
Tic, and, in few months, send for
you. How he shas been disappointed
from day to Way, and from year to
year, leave him to tell you. must
tell you that since you came into my
homo you have been its sunshine. L
was weary and disappointed man.
had, after the manner of impetuous
youth, tested the quality of humanity,
and concluded it was all bad. You,
dear, innocent child, restored my
faith. Toinette, l cannot let you go.
Surely l have the first claim now.
| Your father is stranger. His heart
always belonged TO France; mine is in
your keeping"
Toinette was strangely moved. "You
forget" she faltered; ''consanguinity
has rights
II forget nothing" he said. snake
| my right greater than his Marry
me, Toinette. All that l am, all that
have, is yours"
1t was an unfortunate speech. Mrs.
Etynge's innuendoes required to her
with renewed significance. She rose
and turned away from his pleading
| eyes, his outstretched arms.
II thank you," she said softly, 'for
the honor you would confer, but il
cannot be-" and she passed out of his
sight
The next day her father came; q
worn and weary and shabby old man,
who responded absently to her caress.
es, and then seemed to forget her
while he poured out his thanks to Col.
| Graham.
| IOlneCCe llSCeneu III alnaZeIueut,
which soon changed to humiliation and
distress. This broken spirited old man
in threadbare habiliments was the pa
triot hero of her dreams, who was to
return in triumph and take her away
to some grand chateau of beautiful
France; and what was he sayings
Graham, how can l ever thank
you-God knows I can never hope to
repay you-for what you have done
for my child All that I can promise
is that she shall no longer be a tax on
your generosity. have obtained work
as a translator; will take her to New
York, and there we will mako home
humble enough, but peaceful. Oh
am sick of conflict"
''She has not been tax" said Col.
Graham, earnestly. II am in her
debt for happiness conferred-and-
and she is not accustomed to poverty
1 thought was preparing her to share
q brilliant destiny with you. I've
owe it to her not to let her suffer from
this mistake and disappointment. ST.
Etienne, either leave her with me OF