The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1890-06-27
CHAPTER XII.

From that time on Suzanne seldom went
out on horseback or in her phaeton that she
did not meet Raymond, as if by accident, but
they did no more than speak, but after he had
seen her he returned to the farm with heart
elate.
Both brothers had fallen victims to Su-
zanne's bright and rare beauty and noble
character, but they made no confidence Of
their feelings to each other. The brothers
even seemed to avoid each other; each sought
solitude and each thought his secret hidden
from all eyes. But Pierre had to look after
the farm and command the laborers, SO that
he had small chance of meeting the object Of
his dreams, while Raymond would take his
gun for countenance and linger about places
where he hoped she might pass
In France no visits are permitted to young
men at the house of any young lady, unless
after formal engagement Of marriage, and
then only under such conditions as must be
very exasperating to both; SO neither Pierre
nor Raymond could go to see Suzanne at her
home, not even accompanied by their mother.
The image Of the two brothers had GER
tainly taken little place in the existence Of
Suzanne in spite of herself. Before she knew
her thoughts were bounded by her
home, her art and her father. She knew
that she was pretty and that men admired
her, but she had always shrunk from any ex-
pressed admiration with horror unfeigned.
Marriage was not for her. Two OF three
times before this her hand had been asked of
her father, but when he referred the question
to her she refused SO determinedly that he
was fam to decline, particularly, as she said:
II do not wish to leave you, nor ever love
ybody but you as long as live"
He thought to himself: "Some day she
will change her mind and shall be forgot
ten Let her belong to me, then, as long ~
she is content"
But now Suzanne let her horse walk along
the shady paths where the rich branches
hung heavy with sparkling dewdrops, and she
whispered:
II wonder if shall see him to dayr And
when shc saw him coming along, his gun
swung over his shoulder, she felt like flying
from the spot, but he looked SO anxious, so
sad, and then when he saw her SO glad, that
she did not go. Then they approached and
said good morning, with very few and simple
words more, and each went along their differ
emit paths, both happier for the meeting
One day suzanne was seated in q messy
dell in one part Of their park with her port
folio and colors, trying to catch the SUM-
beams and make them shine through her
painted trees, but it was warm and the
drowsy sound Of the little brock at her feet
made her sleepy, and resting her head upon .
moss covered root she fell asleep, nor woke
until she felt soft, sweet and chaste kiss
fall upon her forehead. With strange
precedence she knew whose lips had pressed 1t
there, and she, from pure maidenly shame
and delicacy, managed to keep her eyes
closed that he might suppose that she knew
nothing. Then Raymond murmured:
"Alas, Suzanne, love you So" and he was
gone.
Then she arose, her whole face covered
with one burning blush, and her whole being
filed with a wondrously sweet happiness, and
for while, in this delicious awakening of
pure maiden's love, she forgot. Then, sud-
denly vision rose before her, and she Whose
whole beautiful face but moment before
was eloquent with love, grew pale and drawn
with horror
"What have donel Oh, my God, what
have I done! have let him love me; love
him. For one little minute forgot that love
and marriage are not for mer'
All that day she battled with her heart,
and poor child, when its own pain had dead
ened her other senses, she thought she had
won.
She crept into the house and up to her
room unobserved, and when her father came
to see why she did not come down to dinner
that woman's blessed boon in the way Of ex-
cuse, q headache, pleaded for her.
The next day Mime. De Noirvills came to
see them just as they had returned from .
drive. Julia had come with the Intention Of
pleading Raymond's cause in his demand for
the hand of Mile. Forney. Raymond had
driven her over, but had not attempted to
enter the house; but as NJ Forney stepped
forward to receive Nine. De Noirville, Ray
mond sprang to the side of Suzanne, who re-
ceived him with GOODNESS so marked that he
drew back In alarm. His eyes questioned her
in vain for the cause of this sudden change.
He thought:
"She must have awakened and resented
such liberty. What shall doa"
"Oh, madsmoiselle, pardon me, implores
SIN what have you offended that you ask
my pardong' said she, moro coldly and
haughtily, if possible, than before.
81 thought feared-that was unhappy
enough to have in some way vexsd you"
''You are mistaken" said she, bowling, and
leaving him speeches.
Raymond managed to make . sign to bis
mother, begging her to say nothing to n.
Forney on the subject SO near his heart, and
their conversation was therefore on ordinary
topics, and they soon took their leave.
It would be too much to say that Suzanne
regretted her severity, but 1t is very sure that
her heart ached heavily all the time, and she
lost color and spirit. SO much SO as to seri-
ously disquiet her father, who feared that she
WAS III, but she declared herself perfectly
we'll
"WelI de you feed contented herei Would
you like to 60 away, to Paris or any other
placef You have only 70 say what You YisA,