The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1893-10-26
Hrou nret ore

tines dot And do not give you up the
auberge the most dourishing business
in all the country round? Summon up
your courage and meet them wSsh q
cheerful face. Believe me, my old friend
is too anxious for his daughters happi-
ness to let this matter prevent your mar
riage."
aHeaven grant it may BE- So" said
Charles.
As he spoke the sound Of approach
ing wheels was heard, and NJ. Germeail's
carriole drove up to the gate. Charles
ran forward to meet it, followed by N.
Dumont. He helped his financee to de
scend and stood beside her while Pierre,
Francois. Louis and the rest, who had run
out on the sound of the wheels, lifted
down the numerous parcels which filed
the carriole. ard which, from the interest
Clementine took in their safety, evident
ly contained her wedding finery. The
parcels safely landed. the servants car
/ ried them into the house, ana the young
people rejoined their elders. wao had
walked toward the house. Germenil say
ing:
you did not expect us so early, dare
say. mon ami, but Clementine was SO
impatient only wonder she did not in
sist on starting in the middle of the night
SO as to arrive in good time"
We'll, well, neighbor, we were once
young ourselves, and we know how much
young folks have to say to one another
on these occasions"
do you know think the little mare
Cocotte was as impatient as her mistress
to get here2 She came along at such a
pace one would have-t hought she knew
she was coming to fete."
By this the parcels had all been I'M
loaded to Clementine's satisfaction, and
she and Charles came forward.
well, said Germenil, NOW that im-
portant business is done, perhaps you
would give kiss to your future father
in-lawY'
With all my heart said Clementine,
throwing her arms round M. .Dumonts
neck and giving him hearty kiss on
each cheek.
And you, Charles, added the farmer,
'are you so bashful that you wait for
permission to kiss your bride?"
Charles, who had for q moment forgot
ten his melancholy, started at these
words, and his face became again over
cast - he replied.
ITO be Clementine's husband, n. Ger
nenil, is what my heart most longs for,
and if refrain from greeting her as my
bride it is because honor forbids my do
ing so till you have heard what my far
ther has to tell you. When you have
listened to him, you will then be>im po-
sition to decide whether you still con-
slider me worthy Of such happiness and
honor"
''What does the boy mean?' cried Ger
menil amazed, while Clementine, her
blue eyes full of dismay. CALCULATED.
''Cielr'
Il will explain it all, " said M. Dumont.
Meanwhile you, Charles, can take
Clementine INDOORS and show her what
we have been doing in her honor"
"That MEANS" said Clementine, max
ing little moue. 'that I am not to
hear
"Never mind. my dear: later you will
know ALL"
"Well," cried M. Germenil as soon as(
they were alone, what is this mighty
secret which weighs so on Charles mind
and makes him pull so long face?'
''He has reason to look sad, my friend"
replied Dumont. ''What am now about
to reveal to you may rob him of all the
hanniness of his future life.'
''Parbleu! you alarm me, exclaimed
Germenil. ''What is this mystery? Ex-
plain!'
Learn, then" said Dumont in a voice
of deep emotion, ''what no living crea-
ture knows save ourselves, but what
can no longer conceal from: you-learn,
my friend, that Charles is not my sonv'
CHARLES is ot-your sonw re-
peated Germenil, while intense amaze
ment took possession of every feature.
my son in everything save in the tie
of blood; but that, alas! is wanting"
''But-but," said Germenil, Il don't
quite understand how
II will tell you the story from the be-
ginning. That will be the best and sim
plest way" said Dumont, interrupting
him.
They seated themselves on one of the
benches under the lines, and leaning his
head on one hand M. Dumont began his
story, to the accompaniment of merry
laughter and the sounds of cheerful
voices, which foated toward them from
the open doors and windows of ,the au-
berge.
You know already" he began, 1.-THE
circumstances under which l lost my
wife-now some 20 years ago-so there
is no need to go over all that. Shortly
after her death left the place, taking
the child with me, and went to Grenoble,
where had relative with whom in
tended to stay short time and in whose
care thought of leaving the little one
until it was few months old and bet
ter able to bear the fatigue of a journey,
| as it was but fragile little creature
owing to its premature birth. But an
| other sorrow was in store for me. Very
soon after my arrival at Grenoble the
| child died, and | found myself alone