The Press., 1892-06-09

to Madelaine chat there was anything unnsuai m his ,ioiny so
 But how what" She hesitated. she saw he was dressed tor dinner, he was evidently an invited guest
 .You are surprised tu see me here; have the pleasure of knowing your father" he said. and then Madame Le- roux came ill and greeted her visitor as if he were very welcome. She soon left him to Madelaine and went away to the window of the inner room
 Why did you not tell me you knew thelnY .Madelaine said responsibility "Why this mystery?'
 He smiled at her
 'l had several reasons for my silence. For one thing, you never asked me-in- deed. may say that at the beginning of our acquaintance you so completely ig- nored me that was obliged to talk only to Mademoiselle Chaumelle." Madelaine blushed with shame Monsieur Henri went on: When we really began to talk. there was so much else to be said but now. before the other guests ar rive, have something to say May l say it?'
 Madelaine felt strangely agitated. with her; it seemed to her that she must laugh and cry both at once.
 What is st?' she said faintly She was sure now that he did not care for her; he was so calm and self possessed while she was quivering from head to foot with the joy of seeing him again.
 "l have found out your secret" he said, in too low a voice to reach Madame Leroux. who good industrious woman that she was. had taken a bit of em broidery from her pocket and was sew ing busily Madelaine longed to run away, She fixed her eyes on her hands which lay clasped in her lap She thought that unless she looked up at him he could not read her feelings in her face Yes" he repeated. Fl have found out what you refused to tell me on the way to Tancarville. The 'horrid something is husband"
 "WellY' She still kept her eyes fixed on her fingers
 May l ask one question:
 Madelaine nodded
 Tell me, is your objection to Mon sieur Devrient or to the mere fact of a husband?'
 She looked up at last
 He was not laughing at her and he seemed very much in earnest. For in stance"-he bent over her-''if a friend you could trust-if were to put myself in the place of Monsieur Devrient, would you think me 'horrid. MadelaineY'
 Madelaine's tongue seemed stiffened she could not get out word
 Monsieur Henri apparently read an an swer in her eyes: he took her hand in hi: just as the door opened and Monsieur Leroux came in
 He looked at the lovers and then ht bent down and kissed Madelaine ant shook hands with Monsieur Henri
 "Ah. 1 see it is all settled" he said "I own frankly that your plan was , much better one. than mine, Devrient with such difficult young woman" Madelaine started. She looked witt frightened eyes from her father to Mon sieur Henri Her father was smiling but her lover was very serious.
 Pardon me, my friend" he said t. Monsieur Leroux, "but had not conn to that" Then he turned to Madelain and once more took her hand in his.
 You think you have been cheated, he said. "and treated like child, but i is not really so: you must not think it had seen you, but you had not seel me, and told your father wished yo1 to form your own opinion and to choos for yourself, as girls do in England, bu could not ask you to be my wife unti you knew the truth.
 Come here. Leroux," his wife said "your tie is crooked: let me straightel it. Then she whispered, "They vii never get right while you stand staring at them both"
 Am forgiveny Henri Devrien whispered
 Madelaine tried to frown and then t, pout, but Monsieur Devrient did no seem alarmed by these efforts, and as h drew her to him very tenderly she hi' her face on his shoulder. .-Atalanta.