The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-24

if in the future you will not love US and
forbid us to call you grandfather. For
the rest, / am nobleman by birth, a
soldier by choice, and serve France
from love for my native land. love
Adrienne, not her name, and my wife
need be nothing save my wife, the
countess de la Vale. I should like to
receive Adrienne's consent in your
presence, Monsieur lie Marquis. Shall
we seek her?"
'Stay, Paul; do not be overhasty. 1
do not know who Adrienne is; how
can betroth her to you? When my
daughter-in-law, Blanche de st. Roche,
died. her last words to me were:
'Father-Adrienne- her. She is
not mine-not Rene's child-ask Ces-
ini.' Death interrupted her words.
My Rene would tell me nothing more.
Blanche is an angel; love Adrienne,'
was all learned from him."
''Cesini! Did you know Cesini?''
asked the major.
'Once I did. He was a musician,
and instructed Rene in violin playing.
When l spent year with my children
in Paris Cesini left US. [ have heard
nothing from him, and all my inquiries
were futile"
But 1 closed his eyes in death, Mon
sieur lie Marquis. Cesini fell in the
front ranks of the army at the battle of
Marengo as an officer of the republic.
Comrade,' he groaned, I have at
tanned nothing-this portfolio-Helene
Blanche and died.
Helene, he said Helene? Where
is the portfolio?" gasped the marquis.
cat my chateau. l haven't opened
it. We forget curiosity in times of
war. But, my dear marquis, let us go
to Adrienne."
MY friend, 1 must drive to La
Chesne. Don't oppose mel must see
clearly. Why did Cesini say HeleneP"
The old nobleman was feverishly
excited. ''Quick, my carriage-four
horses! Come, Paul!'
The marquis emotion had affected
Paul also. The spirited steeds swiftly
conveyed the two men, representatives
of the old and the new times, to the
family seat of the La Valles.
The portfolio-no, Paul, nothing
no food, no drink-the portfolios"
cried the marquis.
There it is" Paul unlocked a
drawer of his writing table, took out
the worn case, and opened it. 1t con-
tanned the certificate of the birth of
Cesini, son of the violin player, Cesini
of Corsica, and the marriage certificate
of the musician Cesini and Nine.
Helene, daughter of the marquis de st.
Roche.
go on, go on!' shrieked the old
man. go on. Is that all?''
There is only this sheet of paper:
81 loved Helene and she returned
my love. We dreaded the anger of
her father and Rene, priest from my
native island, married us secretly in
Paris. | had undisputed admittance
to Helene, whom l taught to play on
the violin, as we'll as Rene. Helene
grew paler and paler. One night she
was attacked by illness. No one was
allowed to watch beside her bed ex-
cept Blanche, my young wife's friend.
l called a physician whom l could
trust, a Corsican like myself. Adrienne
was born and Helene died. What a
night of horror! Blanche, overwhelmed
by grief and terror, gave birth to a
dead child. She was a heroine. She
whispered few words to me and to
Rene. / buried the little one, and
then, pursued by the furies of despair,
fled to the army and became soldier,
to vanish, to die. Never since then
have l seen a st. Roche; never have I
known one hour of happiness. Adri-
enne, my child, child of my Helene.
never shall embrace you?"
Paul, deeply moved, was silent.
go on. 90 on" groaned the mar
quis. Read, I wish to know ALL"
GA new genius rules in France.
The little Corsican, with his fiery
spirit, is accomplishing marvels. With
| Gods assistance there are still goals
for manly strength. On, to win name
and fame! As French colonel I will
clasp my Adrienne to my heart.''
Poor Cesini! he fell a captain on
the field of Marengo." murmured Paul.
The marquis seemed petrified. That
Helene could have thus deceived him
secretly welded a musician. Cesini,
his servant! As such he had always
regarded Sig. Cesini. Burying his
face in his hands he longed for tears.
"Now, Monsieur le Marquis, you
know all, and now let us go to Adri-
enne. What must the dear girl think
of our absence?" Thus Paul inter-
rupted his reverie.
''Would you we'd Cesini's child?"
s.Marquis de st. Roche, 1 have but
one plighted troth, one love; both are
Adrienne's. Besides, Cesini fell an
officer on the battlefield; he is your
equal and my superior, for l still have
life to lose for France" cried Paul.
"a Cesini can not be my grand
daughter"
But she will be my wife. To st.
Roche, beg! Adrienne shall come
with me to my chateau this very day.
l will force my betrothed bride on nc
one."
The marquis and Paul silently en-
tered the carriage and drove to St.
Roche without exchanging word.
As the equipage turned into the broad
avenue leading to the chateau they
saw Adrienne sitting on the terrace
her sweet face wearing a most wistfu
expression as she gazed into the dis
tance.
Paul" the marquis began, hi:
breathing heavy and belabored, ''say
nothing to Adrienne about Cesini anC
Helene. l will keep silence, too"
/ Marquis de St. Roche" replied
Paul, "Helene's grave, in Paris, thirst:
for a daughters tears, and CesinT'
SuaueS HduulS IIle pam VI 4htIChSo.
can not rob my comrade of my wife
emembrance."
Paul, make my granddaughte
happy. There she comes"
'Adrienne, love!" The young coun
was already clasping her in his arms
Grandfather, give US your bless
ing."-Springtfetd (Mdss.) Republican
from the German Of Clara Schrieber.
A Holstein bull belonging to Josep
Lippencott, of Woodstown, N. j., is il
an interesting predicament. The doc
of an underground ice house on tn
farm was left open, and in endeavor
ing to get better view of the interio