Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1889-05-03

ana il was often III before Ne returned,
his horse always showing signs Of having
been ridden hard.
Suzannes position was well known in
the family An old friend of my uncle,
Captain in the Third Cuirassiers, had, on
his death bed, named him in his viii as
the guardian of his daughter Suzanne,
then girl of eight years, pupil in a con-
vent.
One morning my uncle aroused me early.
Two saddled horses were waiting for us,
and accompanied him in his daily ride.
We were riding side by side when, sud
denly turning toward me, he said:
''Why do you not marry?"
| laughed and replied:
"Because I have not cared to do so.
And you?
"Ah, r. I am too old What do you
think Of Suzanne?
''She i one of the most beautiful and
fascinating girls have ever met"
every we'll | wish you to marry her"
looked him full in the eyes. He was
confused.
"That is not true" 1 said. "You
love her"
He laughed with forced laugh as he
replied:
"Nonsense! my ward. Why, I am
twenty three years older than she! |
would be mad to think Of marrying her. "
Il do not know whether or not you
are mad, but know, my dear uncle, that
you are trying to deceive yourself"
ut is not So" he answered. eff [
thought it was generally supposed that I
wished to marry her I would leave this
place at once"
''Ah, well, let us say no more about
it, I said
During breakfast I observed my uncle
and Suzanne. Her manner toward him
was winsOme and attentive, while he was
reserved and severe.
After breakfast, as the morning was
beautiful, we all went into the garden.
As we were leaving the house told Su-
zanne that [ wanted a few words with her,
and we walked apart from the others.
She became a little pale as she ex-
claimed:
"Ah! already"
. perceived that my uncle was casting
a dark look toward us. 1t was Suzanne
who first spoke.
''My guardian" she said, ''told me of
his plans yesterday. [ do not know
whether or not you agree with him; but,
before you tell me, [ wish to say that I
shall only marry man whom love, and
I do not love you"
II thank you for your frankness,"
replied. II do not, however, agree with
my uncle, and I approve of your senti-
ments. I cannot understand why he
should be so anxious for us to marry"
cit is not difficult to understand" she
F'He wishes to rid himself of
a troublesome ward, as he himself desires
to marry. He evidently loves some
woman. But why doesn't he marry and
leave me by myself? [ will not trouble
him. | can remain as teacher in the
convent where I am studying. That is
my choice"
A tear rolled down her soft cheek.
"YOu would not like to see him mar
ried?' I said.
'I!" she exclaimed. cit would be
nothing -"
She did not finish the sentence; sob
choked her. Then, suddenly turning
from me, she ran down into the garden,
leaving me staining alone.
Glow she Loves him!" 1 exclaimed
That evening [ went to my uncle's
chamber and related the scene to him.
He was pale as a spectre.
"You have done bad thing" he said.
Chow so, since have revealed you to
each other and shown you how to be
happy7"
"Happy" exclaimed my uncle. Il
tell you that I would be a monster if l
should marry Suzannew
[ was dumbfOunded. He made me
promise that Suzanne should never know
what he was about to reveal to me.
felt that I was growing as pale as my
uncle.
''Do you know how the father of
Suzanne died?" he asked. "Do you
know that?"
His emotion was terrible to see; he
trembled like leaf
II killed him! Do you hear? He was
killed, and [ was his slayer. And I love
his daughter with passion that is kill
ing me-that is my horrible expiation-
Oh! yes, l know the duel was fair. 1
challenged him. He was an old wran-
gler, jealous and envious. He was ILL
favored, disagreeable and had no chance
of advancement. l was handsome, popu-
lar, and rose rapidly in the service; I
was envied; I was Fortunes favorite
He insulted me. Fortunes favorite to
the last, killed him. Fortunes favorite