San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1892-04-09

Monsieur LerOux, a quiet, sensible
faced man, arrived just as the aunt and
niece had begun breakfast. He was I'M
usually bright and cheerful, Madelaine
thought; and when his sister-in-law
asked for few words with him, he
smiled blandly as he followed her out of
the room.
"You will be ready to start very soon,
hope" he said ;. AHAesaes,., - he went
out.
The girl felt in dream: she supposed
she should wake up when she reached
Rouen, then she must tell her parents
she could never marry Monsieur Dew
rient, and everything would be niser-
able, unless, indeed, Aunt Virginie's re-
moDstrances touched her father. But
she had small space to think in. There
was Joseph carrying down her luggage
before she had put on her cloak and hats
she had only time to gather one last
rose as memory of her happy visit, to
kiss and hug Aunt Virginie, who could
hardly check her tears at parting; to bid
adieu to the quaint old servants, and
then she was on her way to the station
at Yvetot, for in those days the old gray
town beside the river had not been in
vaded by a railway. a.
Her father met with an acquaintance
in the Yyetot diligence, who was also
bound for Rouen, and Madelaine had
plenty of time for thinking before she
reached home.
Monsieur Leroux lived in one of tine
new streets of Rouen, in comfortable
but very unpicturesque house, sad
contrast, Madelaine thought, to her
aunt's rose covered home. Her step
mothers affectionate greeting, however,
made the girl feel rather happier.
She was in her room putting away the
things she had unpacked and looking
around at all her belongings, when a tap
came at the door of her room.
1t was Madame Leroux, and she
looked, Madelaine thought, unusually
serious. The girls hopeful nature was
already struggling against her fears,
and the worry she saw OH her step
mothers usually serene face reused her
cheerfulness.
What is il. little mother? see you
want me at home again to keep up your
spirits. Has Josephine been putting
chicory in the coffee? Has the canary
got ont of its cage? Tell me what has
happened? o.
She kissed Madame Leroux as she
epoke and PCT her arm around her.
Madame Leroux returned her kisses
and smiled at her, but it was poor et-
ort.
Il am not vexed about anything, dear
child. Perhaps 1 look serious because L
have message for you from your father;
sit down and listen to it, my darling. l
am to say to you that your father wishes
you to look as well as possible this even
ing as some friends have been asked to
dine with us. We thought it would be
pleasanter for you to meet Monsieur
Devrent for the first time among others,
but your father wishes you to be ready
in advance. He will come down early,
too, as he wants a few words with you
before our guests arrive"
Madelaine had changed color rapidly
while she listened.
81 do not understand, mother. What
is the use of my seeing this gentleman!
Surely you remember that said l did
not want husband; and then you ad-
vised me not to decide hastily, and L
asked to go to Caudebec. have never
said l was willing to marry Monsieur
Devrient; ! cannot, viii not, marry
him."
"Hush, dear childr Madame Leroux
poke soothingly; do not excite YOUR
To be ontinued.