St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1889-03-23

seek her tor himself.
Il am willing to trust to testimony"
responded Philip Il have to tell you.
then. GAspar. that young man. in
whom am interested. has conceived
. passion for your daughter. and would
fain receive her hand in marriage"
"A court gallant thought Gaspar.
proudly. 1T il the very thing that ]
have been longing for"
Have you any objection 70 the al
liance?" queried the Duke, ''Or are her
affections engaged?"
NAY. my lord"
But mcthinks I have heard Of an
attachment between herself and q GER
tain young man."
1T is quite broken up" said G aspar.
hastily. He was unworthy Of her."
Then you have nothing to object to
the alliance propose?" ~
MAY inquire who is the young gen.
tleman?''
us IL not enough" said the Duke.
haughtily. THAT it is one in whom I
take an INTEREST,""
.Yes; certainly," responded Gaspar.
hastily. fearing 70 offend the Duke.
''How much are you willing to give
your daughter NJ dowry?" asked
Philip.
.'One-half OF all that possess" said
Gaspar. who. though covetous. was
ambitious for his daughter.
1T is enough. wish the marriage
to take place tomorrow"
Tomorrow! So sOon?" repeated
Gaspar. Il fear me-you know young
girls are full OF whims-that my dauch-
ter may object. She may fancy that she
loves the other young man."
..Send her Immediately to the palace.
aud the ladies OF the court shall SO
present unto her the advantages OF
this union. III at I warrant me all her
scruples will vanish - the morning
dew"
1T shall be done. " said Gasrar. bow.
ing.
'And mind you breat he no word 70
her Of the purpose for which she i
called to court"
Il will obey your lordship in all re-
spects." said Gaspar. glad TO have the
task Of persuasion, which he foresaw
would be troublesome. taken on his
hands.
| do then ~ you are hidden. Send
your daughter to me forthwith. and
be In attendance yourself tomorrow at
twelve to witness the marriage.
Gaspar bowed profoundly and hast
ened home. his heart swelling with
exultation, at what no considered the
prospective greatness Of his family.
"F0r who knows" he thought, but
the Duke will ennoble me. when my
daughter Is welded to q noble Of the
court" and he privately decided to
urge upon his daughter. at proper
season, to use what influence she
might be able TO bring to bear upon
Philip for the attainment Of this high
Undesirable result.
MY presence required at COURT"
exclaimed the beautiful Constance. a.
her father communicated the Dukes
message.
I Eyes. my daughter"
"And wherefore?''
THAT / know not; but as Philip Is
fond OF beauty. he has, perhaps. re
solved to make you . lady Of the
court"
.Iknow not whether that be desira.
ble.- said Constance, thoughtfully;
"but l will at least obey the sum
mons"
Good" thought the father. well
satisfied. II would give something to
know whether the Duke will be sue
cessful in accomplishing what I have
mot been able to do-reconcile her to
giving up Henry Dumout"
The next day. mindful Of his en-
gagement. Gaspar took his way to the
palace to his daughters wedding.
Il wish I knew who is to be the
bridegroom" he said to himself. 1T
may be De Courcy. or again. young
Beaumont"
Entering the palace. he was again
ushered into the long audience-room.
A curtain concealed from view the
lower end. There were present, be
sides himself. many noble lords and
ladies attached to the court, and his
heart swclled when he considered that
all this pageant was assembled for his
daughters bridal.
Il As the clock sounded. the curtain
rose. and displayed upon . raised dais
the bridal party. Gaspar glanced
anxiously at the bridegroom. What
was his dismay when he recognized
Henry Dumont, richly dressed. The
ceremony commenced. but such was
Gaspar's bewilderment that he did moi
think to interfere, and the twain were
declared man and wife.
LET the b rides father come for
ward. !" proclaimed the herald.
Casper advanced mechanically to 9
| table, whereon he found awaiting hi
signature, an instrument conveying
one-half his goods to Henry Dumont
II will not sign II" he said, hastily.
.Would you rather have it wrestcd
from you?"
'.But is that justice?" said Gaspar,
sulkily.
1T is Just that he who defraudi
should make restitution" was the stern
reply.
Gaspar seized the pen and affixed his
signature. The consciousness Of gull
i vusda him n coward