Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-11-29

spendthrifts in Yvetot want to marry Madeleine
and so to Paris and live on the proceeds Of my
farms They'll not do it. III have none o.
them, not even your pale-fsced boy"'
Several days after this interview Maitrt
Lephyre carried his answer to Notary Dumon
tier.
II tell you, friend Dumontier," said he
what I've told all the others who came to me
with their fine promises. I'll not give my CIR
away. I've spent 20 600 francs educating her
wants better than do. When she gets ready
she ii make her own pick. Tell those young
STEERS that s what Maitre Zcphyre says"
When Rene heard this decision on the
part OF the old farmer his heart strings snapped
for he had hoped that his fathers money would
influence the thrifty peasant to favor his suit
NOW that the question of fortune was eliminated
from the contest Rene became suddenly con-
scious OF his wofu lack of that ability to trans.
iate MS feelings into words. That he loved
Madeleine as deeply as Guillot he did not doubt
but would he be able to tell her and to tell hel
so in such a way as to persuade her that he wal
speaking the truth?
question it was.
Days and weeks went by, and with such ex.
qulslte coquetry did the beautiful Madeleine
repel the attentions Of the two friends that they
haii began to persuade themselves that she
would really end in dismissing them both a
suitors.
The time was now approaching when the
KING OF ivetot was accustomed to entertain the
mobiles and gentry Of his tiny kingdom by a
series OF fetes. A thousand colored lanterns
shed a mellow radiance upon the fountains
and banks OF flowers, imparting a fascinating
air OF unreality to the gardens and conserva-
tories. At one OF these fetes it was that Guillot
led the fair Madeleine. at the end of q waltz,
out of the glare of the ball room and into the
seeming world of fantasy which lay around
the chateau.
Armand could distinctly feel against his arm
the throb OF her heart, now that its beat was
intensified by the intoxicating measure Of the
waltz.
'.Nlademoiselle,' he uttered, almost in a
whisper, my leave Of absence has almost run
Its length"
Instinctively Madeleine drew closer to Ar
mands side As these words were spoken and he
could family feel her hold tighten upon his
arm.
Nay, Madeleine" continued Guillot scarcely
above "a whisper, THAT is not all. After q few
DAYS stay In Paris / must hurry on to Mar
settles and join my regiment, for it has been or
dered to TOnquin"
TO miss beat. for she raised her hand to her
throat and pressed it there as il to encourage
lie to resume its healthful march.
Madeleine. nurmured Armand, ''the time
has come You must speak Or"
AT this moment cluster of white roses
PAA-Nu uPou CoTsISe WAS lOOSenGu DIV ner
arm, which still lay across her BOSOM and fell
to the ground. GuiIot stopped and picked
them up, and as he did so the figure of the no
tary son appeared on the graveled walk. He
was seeking Madeleine, who was pledged to him
for the next dance
As Armand held the roses out Madeleine fxed
her glorious eyes full upon his face. They
were filled with tears
Keep them. Oh, keep them she whis-
pered as she laid her ungloved hand within
armand for brief instant, then turned away
and fastened toward Dumontier.
Guiliot quickly thrust the roses into the
breast of his tight-ftting uniform coat and
stood there Watching that retreating figure, so
tai, so Ike wood nymphs in its native grace
and beauty; and as he stood thus straining his
eyes to follow her that wad of crushed roses
seemed to be burning into his very hearts
hber But Its fire was such a blissful pain that
many minutes passed ere he could bring him
self to move away, lest by stirring he might
stay the charm Of those flowers which still
glowed with the warmth OF the bosom from
which they had fallen