The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-10

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treated basely. I hope she has not
startedsa scandal to meet me at Ligny.
But Father Laurent would have
spoken Of it if she had. shall stay
here.
Paolo's fears were groundless. Ro-
setta had resigned herself to the in
evitable. She dared not aspire now to
DO Paolo's wife. Would it not be
very astonishing thing if the little
Rosetta Dounet should become the
bride Of Doctor Laurent? There
would be laughter for ten leagues
about at such a wedding. So she re-
signed herself without anger, without
bitterness, contented, when alone, to
lament silently her vanished dream,
her castle of cards fallen to the earth.
She became pale and languid. Her
relations sought in vain to discover
the cause of the strange malady that
lay SO heavily upon her. To all their
questions she said:
1T is nothing only little indis-
position.
The Dounets, however, consulted
the most celebrated physicians Of the
region. None Of them could discover
the cause Of the trouble. S
But some good country friend had
been behind Paolo and Rosetta at the
time when they made their pledge Of
love. Father Dounet was at last in
formed Of their betrothal. It was to
him like flash Of light. He knew
now what allied Rosetta. He knew,
and he could bring the remedy.
AT dawn he harnessed his mare, at
tached her to his old carriage, and de-
parted in the direction of Ligny.
'.If you are not in Ligny in three
days, beware of my anger. LAURENT.
Such was the telegram that Paolo
received one morning. He knew his
stern father well enough to under
stand that he must obey him. r. Evil
IDENTIFY the old gentleman was in a
rage, and it would be imprudent to
trifle with him.
s'On my faith, there is nothing but
to resign myself" he murmured. II
must return to my country.
The next day he was in Ligny.
'sAt last you are here!" exclaimed
Father Laurent upon his arrival. ssBut
not Of your own will. The gentle-
men Of the faculty may be remarka-
BILE for some things, but they seem to
have little respect for paternal author
ity-but we will speak no more Of
that. Now you are here you will al
low me to present you as q future
physician at Ligny, thus guaranteeing
your ability" /.
ssBut, have my diploma.
s'Our friends would laugh at that,
or at two diplomas 1t is for me to
assure them of your ability and for
you to verify it. Well, let us learn
what they think of you. You shall
make with me your first round of
visits. .
A moment after, father and son
were seated side by side in carriage
which was being rapidly borne along
by the vigorous horses attached to it.
Laurent smoked cigar with an air
Of satisfaction. Paolo, pleased within
his heart at seeing his country again,
turned about to look it over.
Suddenly the carriage turned sharp
ly into an avenue fanked by poplar
trees the avenue that Paolo had fol-
lowed with Rosetta under the starlit
sky. 1t was the road to .Revigny.
Yonder, in the distance, was to be-
perceived the village, with the pretty
houses rising from the rivers bank.
At the sight of it hundred tender
memories awoke in the heart of the
young man, and 1Rosetta's charming
face. as he had seen it last, came be-
tween him aud the landscape.
The carriage turned into che drive,
drew up before the fifth house, and
Father Laurent, checking the horses,
descended to the earth.
s'Your patient is here, he said sim
ply:
open and entered. Paolo followed
him into large room upon the lower
floor. A cry burst from the young
man. Upon an iron bedstead, cur
tanned with lace, Rosetta lay in half
slumber. There was an indescribable
expression of sadness in her sweet
face. Beside her sat her white haired
parents.
Father Laurent advanced to the
bed, laying his rough, toil-worn hand
upon the girls forehead.
Rosetta, my child, arouse your
self, he said.
The girl trembled, passed her hand
over her brow as If to Danish some
importune dream, and then, as her
Air, avaa onened. was supplied to see