Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-12-25
ADRIENNE.

The old marquis de st. Roche had
survived royalty in France without be-
ing disturbed in the possession OF his
estates. His peasants spared him, not
merely because he had always been
kind master, but because they consid-
cred him so unfortunate that they
would do nothing to increase his mis-
cry. The marquise, whom he had
passionately loved. had long been
dead; beautiful daughter who had
accompanied the marquis to the court
in Paris never returned home, having
died suddenly in the capital. The
marquis only son, the very ideal of
youthful chiyary, welded young
lady of noble birth, to whom the mar
quis soon transferred all the warm love
of his bereaved heart. The young
couple spent part of the year in
Paris, and the older peasants we'll re-
membered the JOY in the chateau when
tie dauehter-in-law brought home to
its lord a rosy little grandchld. After
that time the young marquise never
left St. Roche, but devoted herself to
her child and the poor-there was not
villager to whom she had not rem
dered some kindness. Happy herself
she desired to see others happy.
Adrienne was years old when a
boy, an heir to the estate, was born;
but. a few DAYS after. the young
mother, with her son in her arms. was
laid to rest in the marble vault Of the
castle chapel. Soon her statue gleam-
ed there in its white beauty. Tea
roses and snowy hyacinths surrounded
it with their fragrance.
The young marquis often stood gaz-
ing at it with despairing eyes and on
the anniversary of her death the hand
some, vigorous heir to st. Roche was
brought home with bullet in his
breast. An accident had happened to
him while hunting. He was buried by
the side of his beloved wife.
The old marquis was sorely stricken
by these blows-he forgot to smile
but he remained erect and strong. He
loved little Adrienne with passionate
devotion, and the child chung trust
ingly to her grandfather He taught
the little one, read fables with her.
and as she grew to maldenhood in
structed her in the history of France,
the songs of the troubadours and re-
cited the Cid and Phedre.
Adrienne lived in beautiful. sunny
dream world. She listened with glow
ing cheeks when her grandfather re-
lated the heroic deeds of the mobiles of
his day, and heard with auickened
breathing the war-like songs sung by
the youths hurrying to Napoleon's
standard, the rumors of victorious bat
ties. and spite of her aristocratic lin
cage her heart reioiced at the tidings
from the first consul, who was making
beautiful France so great SO famous.
Even Paul. the son of the dead count
de Ia Vale, followed this mans victo-
riouS banner-Paul, the owner of La
Chesne. the finest chateau in the
neighborhood and when, a youth of
is, he had set out to join the army he
had whispered to the child of 10:
Don't forget me. Adrienne; l will
return"
He ,4dd returned two years since
Adrienne was 16-and he had told her
shat he must go back to his great COM
mander, but would soon come home to
his ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Paul, to
use that woodland live with her in
splendor and happiness, pleasure and
love; and then he kissed the girls
golden hair-only her hair.
do not forget me. | will write to
you often before | return. my sweet
one"
The battle of Marengo was over. 1t
was rumOred that Paul had been pro-
moted to the rank of major and accom-
plished marvels of daring.
The marquis de St. Roche retained
all the refined elegance of the ancient
nobility OF France; never, even in the
Eeclusiou of his chateau, did he permit
himself the slightest carelesSueSs in
dress; he was always clad as if he ex-
pected guests or an immediate sum-
mons from the king. He was stately
man, with clear-cut features that be-
tokened resolute will; good because
he believed it plebeian to do wrong;
firm as steel where his principles were
involved, obstinate and proud of his
noble blood, for God had ordained no.
bility as he gave kings divine right
to their crowns.
While walking in the park the mar
quiS noticed a peasant lad holding a
dainty little note in his hand, hovering
about the chateau.
Where are you going, my boy?"
ITO Mile. Andrienne. The note is
for the young lady"
Who could the writer bep The mar
9uis was startled, but, like true
nobleman. he was mindful of the obi
cations of courtesy, even in intercourse
with his nearest relatives, and said:
'.Mle. Adrienne is in the room open
ing from this terrace
The boy ran up the steps. The mar
1uis continued his walk, wondering
what the contents of the note could be.
Adrienne was sitting alone in the
maguificentlv furnished room. dream
ing and waiting for her grandfather.
On the table lay the books they were
to read together that day. Hank!
That was not the marquis step.
mile. Adrenne, note-a note
from the young count De la Vale. He
is at La Chesne!"
The boy darted of. and Adrienne
Ntoed trembling, holding the little note
in her hand; her heart was throbbing
SO violently that she could not open
the envelope. There. her grandfather
was coming. Adrienne involuntarily
nut her hand behind her.