The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-08-17
"Nothinr. nv GOOD pierre. po,b,nv >.


"Of course. Of course-oniy
thought
1T seems to me-" said NJ. Dumont, in
terrupting him. that you are chatter
ing here instead OF seeing after what Ia,
to be done
Quite true. patron. So I'll be of. II
would never do not to be ready when
the company arrives"
As soon as Pierre had disappeared in
doors M. Dumont passed his arm affec.
tionately through Charles. and they
walked mp and down the courtyard.
the younger man with gloomy. abstract
ed mir. while the elder watched him with
an expression of kindly affection.
Come. come. my boy. cheer up lit
tie. This will never do What will
Clementine think IL she finds you with
such long face on the eve Of your we'd
ding dayy'
"'My wedding dayr But viii IL be in
deed my wedding day. When NJ. Ger
menil learns this fatal secret, win he still
be willing to give me his daughter3
That is the question | ask myself over
and over. and dread to think what the
answer may be"
my poor Charlesi would have kept
this knowledge from you If 1t had been
possible. But it is necessary that both
you and Germenil should know it."
II know. l know. 1t ia not only nee
essary he should be told. but it is right
and honest. would not so deceive
him, even to become Clementine's hus-
band"
"You will be her husband. my boy. in
spite of ALL So cheer up. Germenil is
too Just and reasonable to punish you
for what is not your fault. He Will only
see in you the man his daughter loves
and the good. dutiful son of his old
! friend"
"Ah, yesl Your son. That name is in
deed dear to me and honorable. II
only
You must have more confidence in
yourself. my lad. Where will Germenil
find more eligible son-in-law or one he
would like rs well? He knows you are
no gaspilleur who will squander Clemen-
tines dot And do not give you up the
auberge--the most fourishing business
in all the country round? Summon up
your courage and meet them with a
cheerful face. Believe me. my old friend
is too anxious for his daughters happi-
ness TO let this matter prevent your mar
riage."
Heaven grant it may be So" said
Charles.
As he spoke the sound Of approach
ing wheels was heard, and NJ. Germe ills
carriole drove up to the gate. Charles
ran forward to meet it, followed by NJ.
Duinont. He helped his tinancee to de-
scend and stood beside her while Pierre,
Francois. Louis and the rest. who had run
ont on the sound of the wheels, lifted
down the numerous parcels which filled
the carriole, and which, from the interest
Clementine took in their safety. evident
ly contained her wedding finery. The
parcels safely landed. the servants car
RED them into the house. and the young
people rejoined their elders. who 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 us impatient as her mistress
TO get herel She came along at such a
pace one would have thought she knew
she was coming to fete.''
By this the parcels had all been I'm.
loaded to Clementines satisfaction. and
she and Charles came forward
We'll. said Germenil. now that i'm
portant business is done. perhaps you
would give u kiss to your future father.
ln-lawT"
with all my heart" said Clementine.
throwing her arms round NJ. Dumout's
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 a moment forgot
ten his melancholy. started at these
words. aud his face became again over.
cast as he replied;
ITO be Clementine's husband, NJ. Ger.
menil, is what my heart most longs for.
and il refrain from greeting her as my
bride it Is because honor forbids my do
ing so till you have heard what my fa-
ther has to tell you. When You have
listened to him. you viii then be in POI
sition to decide whether you still con-
slider me worthy Of such happiness and
honor"
what does the boy meant" cried Ger
menil amazed, while Clementine. her
blue eyes full Of disinay. calculated.
'.Cielr"
II win explain it all. p" said NJ. 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 q little moue. that ! am not to
/ herr
Never mind. my dear; later you win
| know all"
well" cried NJ. Germenil as soon as
| they were alone. ''what is this mighty
secret which weighs so on Charles mind
and makes him pull so long facey'
HE has reason TO look sad. my friend. "
replied Dumont. what lam now about
to reveal to you may rob him of all the
happiness of his future life."
"Parbleu! you alarm me-" exclaimed
Germenil. What Is this mystery Elk.
| plainr'
I
Learn. then" said Dumont in q 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 sonl"
Charles - is = not your - sonr re-
peated Germenil, while intense amaze
ment took possession of every feature.
my son in everything save in the tis
of blood; bnt that, alasl is wanting"
"But--but." said Germenil. II don't
z k,..-st