The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-12-24
RAVENNA, O.. WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER "a, 1890.
ADRIENNE.

III bnC pOoSCoolOh VI hlo
estates. His peasants spared him, not
merely because he had always been a
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 chivalry, 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 well re-
membered the joy in the chateau when
the daughter-in-law brought home to
its lord a rosy little grandchild. After
that time the young marqulse never
left St. Roche, but devoted herself to
her child and the poor-there was not
a villager to whom she had not rem
dered some kindness. Happy herself
she desired to see others happy.
Adrienne was 4 years old when a
boy, an heir to the estate, was born;
ii
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
l,o1, f<D
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 clung trust
ingly to her grandfather. He taught
| the little one, read fables with her,
and as she grew to maidenhood 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
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 la Vale, followed this mans victo-
rious banner-Paul, the owner of La
| Chesne, the finest chateau in the
neighborhood, and when, youth of
Is, he had set out to join the army he
had whispered to the child of 10:
Don't forget me, Adrienne; I will
return"
He had returned two years since
Adrienne was 16-and he had told her
that he must go back to his great COM
mander, but would soon come home to
his nne-presumptuous Paul, to
use that word-and 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. I will write to
you often before I return, my sweet
one."
The battle of Marengo was over. 1t
was rumored that Paul had been pro-
NOTED 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
seclusion of his chateau, did he permit
himself the slightest carelessness 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 a 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 a divine right
to their crowns.
While walking in the park the mar.
quis noticed peasant lad holding a
dainty little note in his hand, lowering
about the chateau.
where are you going, my boy?"
ITO Mile. Andrienne. The note is
for the young lady"
Who could the writer be? The mar
quis was startled, but, like a true
nobleman, he was mindful of the obli-
cations of courtesy, even in intercourse
with his nearest relatives, and said
s.Mlle. Adrienne is in the room open
ing from this terrace"
The boy ran up the steps. The mar
uuis continued his walk, wondering
what the contents of the note could be
Adrienne was sitting alone in tht
magnifcently furnished room, dream
ing and waiting for her grandfather
On the table lay the books they wer'
to read together that day. Hark
That was not the marquis step.
mile. Adrienne, note-a not
from the young count De Ia Vale. HI
is at La Chesner'
The boy darted off, and Adrienn'
stood trembling, holding the little not
in her hand; her heart was throbbins
so violently that she could not Opel
the envelope. There, her grandfathe
was coming. Adrienne involuntaril,
put her hand behind her.
The old man looked so grave and sa
down by the table without removin!
his hat or coat. What troubled tn
marquis?
Adrienne had started up. Now sh
was standing before him; her fai
locks tioated over her shoulders; he
soft white dress revealed the outline
of her slender figure; two white rose
from the chapel, which she daily Wis
tied, were fastened on her breast. Th
note fairly scorched her hand. Nc
her grandfather must know every
thing; she would have no secrets from
him.
Grandfather she began timidly
81 have note; / must tell you abou
it-please don't say anything, grand
father-only listen to me. 1 will con
ceal nothing from you, and then we
read the note together"
The story of her young love wa
: pathetically simple. Her grandfathe
listened, then he kissed Adrienne NOR
tender1y than he had ever done befor
and remained lost in thought. He So
rejecting long after Adrienne had hui