Connecticut western news., 1894-08-02
WALTZED HER AWAY.

duke de Lannis, and the Duke de Cour talin
 I saw him-at the ball of the De Fresnes He did me the honor to dance three times with me, and went home absolutely intoxicated with joy. But the joy was of short duration, for the next day he said to his brother, who told his sister, who told me:
 Tt seems that I am to marry my cousin Marceline Last evening I was literally thrown into her arms Out of pure goodness of soul I took pity on the poor little schoolgirl and danced with her three times. But there must be no more of it. have not yet had enough of life. Besides I know of nothing more ridiculous than marriage between cous- ins. "
 But that was not all He also said to Robert, T saw her in evening dress last night for the first time, and she is so thin. ''
 That night, after Gabrielle had told me all this, disrobed before the mirror and studied my poor little shoulders with their great hollows and had fit of weeping Mamma came in the middle of it.
 My angel, what is it?" She took me in her arms
 But 1 could not speak The tears choked me. My treasure. you pain me. Speak, dearest "
 Then, to reassure her, managed to say between my sobs: It is because I am thin, mammal Gontran, last evening, thought I was so thinp'
 Thereupon mamma began to laugh. She told me that at IT she was much thinner than I, and she assured me very solemnly that would certainly develop.
 That winter of my first season mamma took me to dozen great affairs, but they were occasions of mourning and sorrow, for Gontran was not there. . He did not want to marry. He even told me SO did not know then that this was by order of my mother.
 One day about o'clock in the after noon-it was the second day of June mamma came into my room with look on her face that was new to me My child" she said, "my child"
 She had no need to say more. un- derstood. All the evening before at the Prince de Vearn's M. de Courtalin had been with me, and the next morning his mother had told mamma that her son knew of nothing more beautiful than my face.
 Mamma tried to make me listen to reason. If refused him, threw away splendid chance. The Duke de Courta lin was the mark at which all the ma ternal guns were pointed. Great name, great position, great fortune For me- had but one word to oppose to all these just and proper remarks Gontranl Gontran! Gontrano or the con- vent, and the most severe convent at | that-Carmel .
 M. de Courtalin was perfection. l listened to his praise all the afternoon and hated him. The more he was eulo- gized the more turned from him. With Gontran could be quite at my ease, for he never impressed one with his superi- I ority. I knew but little, but my igno- rance, compared with his, was erudi- ] tion.
 Mime. de Courtalin had called to ask my hand for her faultless son. do not know what mamma said to her after my refusal only know that was left for awhile in peace.
 And where was Gontran through the long summer? Making tour of the world very quietly and quite at his ease. | learned afterward that this also was mammals doing; that when he was in Japan he had brought me number of lovely little things, placed in tiny case that bore my name. The case had been sent to mamma, but had never seen it.
 All that year one name was sounded in my ears--C Courtalin, Courtalin, always Courtalin. He had all the virtues under heaven. My determination began to weaken, 1 say it to my shame.
 After all, what advantage there was in being a married woman! Absolute freedom would be accorded me. Then the thought of being duchess was not dis pleasing.
 All winter mamma displayed perfect taste and exquisite sweetness. She never urged, never tormented me. I know, however, that she said to her friend, Mme de Nelly: My dear, she will yield before the 2Otli of June. It must be- ''
 On that date we left Paris for Aix. les-Bains.
 And l did not continue to say no with the savage energy of last year. I only awaited Gontran's return. knew that he would reach Paris on the 2d or Sd of April The following day he would cer. tainly come to see us.
 And so it happened He called about 2o'clock, before mamma had quite com pleted her toilet I was alone. I ran to him.
 "Ah, Gontran, how happy am to see you''
 And 1 kissed him without ceremony He kissed me in return, was very much affected and began to speak such gentle, kind words that my heart melted. He found me a new creature. I was nc longer thin I had grown taller and fuller. .
 But just then mamma came in, then papa and then my brother George An odious conversation regarding the merit. of English and French boats followed how the French boats made better time, how the food on them was so muci finer, and so on. It was so enjoyablel
 It was not until three days after tha we met him again. by accident, but h. was no longer himself He was icy. Hi good morning was icy; the shake of hi hand was icy; his words icy. He wa awkward and embarrassed. He quick. lost us in the crowd and reappeared IL more
 && returned to throw myself once nor into the arms of my mother and cry out "Yes; shall marry De Courtalin. '' | uoS, ,nunv ti1naa batyyeen that af,