Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-10-12
oavecsan; with rustic speech and rustic


manners.
| Determined 10 do nothing raskly. she al
lowed herself three whole days to consider
the matter. Al the end OF thuSe three days
CoroGs had made up her mind to go to
| Pari>.
one fine au,unsn morning, Corona with
bundle in her hand. stepped into Father
HonSe.t's cart, and in i, started off Tor the
great city crossed by the river Seine.
Father Housett who was a rich mil
Ter. had 4 sister living in Paris. and
to the, sisters house he had promised
to conduct Maielon tsuch was Coronas
assumed name assuring her tina, she
would have hearty welcome there tor as
| long period as it might suit her to stay in
the capital. Thus far, Corona's mind was
at rest. She had = respectable home to re-
ceive her. and she would be able to go
hither and thither without any remark. or
question. or distrust. In her present cos
ing the recognition OF all her old friends.
She looked now SO different from her for
mer SELF that she would defy detection.
Besides this she exchanged her pure accent
for vile patois, and her digniiied carriage
had given place TO light, tripping walk.
DO not think that Corona had any de-
defined plans in view at the present time
She had come to Paris in masquerade
merely that she might see Paul Favarge,
! and test her real feelings towards him. II
the sight o: him rewakened in her bosom
her old passion for him, why then she de-
| tcrnined 10 ,!y at once. and take refuge in
| q convent; but IL on the other hand, she
to"nd she could regard him ca mly, she
would Immediately return 10 the stage, and
show him. and all the world likewise, that
her heart had not broken for his love.
The miller sister was woman OF forty.
| and q widow; not rich. but possessed OF a
very comfortably independence: and one
ft.o oil 'l,rIx law,
| Corona was delighted with her hostess, who,
| on her part wa, eQua ly well-pieased with
her guest. Entertaining this kindly feeling
! for one a.: another, they lived together
| like mother and daughter. united by bonds
! o:mutva! confidence and love.
| Madame Aukeyine, who had been made
| acquainted with all CoronaS history, and
with oil her >ecrc, sentiments as well, was
most anxious Tor the ar-iva! OF the hour IN
| which her guest would proceed 10 make q
! trial OF !.er hearts feelings for Paul Fa-
| vargc.
Now, this examination Corona put off
| from day TO day, making first one excuse,
| then another for the delay. At times, she
| seemed quite afraid otthe task she had set
herself. aud :cIt ready to abandon it-ready
| to iiy once more into obScuriiv and peace.
| And | have no doubt she would have done
! 50, had not Madame Aubep!ne used her in
| tiuence with Corona, and instillcd fresh
| courage into her vacilla,ing breast.
| Indeed indeed, MaemoiScllcde Mar
mcy,' the widow would say over and over
| again. Il Will not suffer 20" to act thus
| cruelty unto yourself You have a certain
| mission to perform, and will not let you
| rest unit! see you !ullil it..
| "Wait until tomorrow. my good friend,
| Corona w"nld reply. "To-morrow shall
be stronger and more rcsolute than l am
| now.
And the morrow came, and another and
| another after that, and Corona was still
| lacking the required resolution.
At length. Madame Aubrpine pretend
| ing to grow tired of and veXed at Corona's
want Of proper determinations, said no
more about the matter. Accordingly, on
the following evening, Corona pronounced
herself ''ready:' and the widow, fearful
that her friend might again change her
mind. at once hurried her OFF TO the En-
| peror's Theatre, at which establishment
Paul Favarge and Madcmoisclle I.adre
| were still performing every night.
Corona, attired in her peasants dress,
looking very rustic and vcry pretty, tremhl-
| ell and grew faint, as leaning on nadames
arm, she entered the vestibule oithat build
ing whose walls had so often reechoed
with her name.
"Courage-courage. Madelon" whisper
ed Madame Aubcpinc in Corona's ear
1T all like story in book" the widow
| added. as She and her friend tool; their
seats in the front row OF the second tier Of
| o,Xe>.
II feel such a guilty creature: and fancy
hat almost everybody is staring at me-"
said Corona, rap dly changing color, and
cooking greatly confused.
! ~ m not surprised at the latter fact"
lauGncd her comHanion "lc"pc do not
sci every day in the week. | never saw
| you looking better than you are looking
now, Oh. ifthc Count de Braicnburg could
but see you at this m"meni.'
See me, Heaven forbid that he should
recognize me-
! Nonsense He is Il man of honor. Even
were he to penetrate your disguise do not
think he would accost you, Or seek 10 fol-
| low you home.
a do not think lie would madam he is
ola proud race and | have gricvously Of
Tended him"
"For which offence you are beginning to
feel very surry-eh, Madelon""'
Nav; ! said not So"
At this moment. two women (citZens'
wives took their seats precisely behind the
Corona and her companion, and be.un to
talk in loud voice. One Of the two wo-
men had in her hands a programme of the
evenings entertainments They were evil
IDENTIFY frequent visitors at the Emperor
Theatre, and were quite conversant with
the members Of its company and all their
doings.
Corona and Madame Aubepine having
ceased conversing, were compelled to hear
the chatter OF the females behind them.
"Ah. observed one of these women to
her companion, 81 hardly care to come
here since the Corona went away"
"Sor ~ rejoned the other. Did you
ever hear why she left Paris SO suddenly
and SO Strangely"
''Wcll, people say it was because she was
in love with Monsieur Favarge while he
h!mse! was smittcn with Mademoiselle
I.aIre."
'ies-lve heard the same tale; and that
the Corona. unable to bear the disappoint-
ment. quilted Paris all in Il hurry. letting
40 one know whittier she was going"
she must haveloved Monsieur Favarge
very much"
."Oh. bless you: she was crafty in love
with him.
And vet he dit. not care for herr
Not single sou, I've heard"
1--WE heard the same Poor Corona!"
"Well, yes. | feel sorry Tor her myself
very sorry or her; but, for all that, wish
she had shown proper pride in the matter,
and had stayed here to live it out! People
can live out their loves il thew only strive
| to set their minds on doing sou