Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-07-25
A TEST OF LOVE.

Of time yet, am only 10 years Of age
While am much honored by the attentions
of M. lie Baron de Merillac I repeat that
I must refuse him.
g My dear child" replied Nine. Odiot,
"you should reflect that one Of these days
you will lose me. I have been suffering
for long Time and very little would sui
fee to carry me off. You will then find
yourself without support, since your dear
father Is gone, and husband Is the nat.
ural support Of young girl when she has
lost her parents Baron Merillao ID a very
estlmable young man. You will probably
never get such another offer. he Ia enor-
mously rich, and he has title and Is the
only son of parents who will adore and
worship you as il you were their own child.
1t would surely be madness to persist in
refusal that has no basis. The baron Is
handsome cavalier, and his manners are
of the best. What more can you wish?"
"Then you know himP" asked Antoi-
nette, with surprise.
without doubt"
"Yet I have never seen him here" per-
sisted the girl.
"No, he has never been here, but have
met him several times at the house of Nine.
de Saverny, where you would never accom-
pany me, under the pretext that she dis
pleased you, and it was Nine. de Saverny
who spoke to me Of the baron as man
who would be suitable for you, from every
point Of view"
IT shall like Nine. de Saverny still less
now," exclaimed the girl. "What busi-
ness is 1T Of hers? If she Is SO anxious to
get M. de Merillac married, let her take
him herself She is a widow"
''You are foolish, ma bonnie oherie. M.
de Merillac Is 25 years old and Nine Dc
Saverny is so. She might be his mother.
But you should not get angry. One would
almost think that you had some other
reason than the one you give SO vehement
ly for refusing M. de Merillao."
"Some other reason" stammered An.
tolnette, lowering her eyes, while q pretty
little flush came into her cheeks.
Nine. Odiot watched her smilingly, and
several minutes passed in silence.
Antoinette took up her sewing again,
and being aware no doubt that her moth.
er's eyes were fixed upon her presently rose
and went over to the piano. Mme Odiot
stopped her as she went.
"We will settle the matter once for all, !"
she said, "never to return to it. The rea-
son you refuse M. de Merillao is because
you don't want to marry. Is 1t notr'
"Mais oui, maman," said Antoinette In
a voice that nevertheless lacked the ring
of sincerity.
$50 that no matter who else may come
to me to ask your hand may tell him no
and send him about his businessp"
"Ohl didn't say that-perhaps later
when am older-if theft liked him"
stammered the young girl, much embar-
raised.
$50 be It'll We will talk Of something
else. For instance, my dear nephew Gas
ton has now been with US for three weeks |
and has nearly finished his picture. He
has been very busy making some sketches |
In the woods for another ono he has In |
view. think he Is with your uncle at
this moment. Let us go across and SEQ
him mean my brother. He has not |
been very we'll Of Late
"Oh, no, mother; my uncle ia quite
we'll again." said Antoinette quickly.
"Ah, you have some news about himg"
Antoinette bit her lips. Her answer had
slipped out too quickly.
"The gardener told me-" she added
naively.
Nine. Odiot pretended not to notice her
daughters embarrassment.
"Will you come with meS I am going
1t once. As he is your guardian l ought
10 let him know at once of your decision
With regard to NJ. de Merillac, for he knew
Ill about him."
"Oh, my uncle knew"
eyes"
"And he approved"
Eyes"
"Then CASTOR knew that 1t was pro.
,osed should marry this baron?"
Perhaps"
But he has said nothing to me about
IT,,
II thought you had not seen him!'
ooh, yes-that is-ol, mol have not. "
eplied the girl, turning her face away in
,er confusion over her little Abs with
which she was inexperienced.
LET us 60. Are you comings'
Nine. Odiot turned away to hide smile.
rs my presence very necessarily" the
'oung girl asked. Then she added: ~
MINK thAG my uncle ana yourself will be
bile to talk more at your ease II I go away;
'esides my uncle will question me, and
han't know how to answer him.
THAT Is quite simple. You will an.
wer him just as you answered me!''
"You are making fun of me, mother ,.
eplied Antoinette peevishly.
"Not the least In the world It Is not
ute natural that you should refuse q
match go agreeable to your mother and
our tutor for so plausible reason. You
o not want to get married. But here We
70 talking again on this subject, which
70 had agreed to leave alonel It was you
hat started 1t again, you must noticei''
"Oh, now, mother, you make me cryi"
And Antoinette burst into tears and
brew herself upon her mothers neck.
"Why do you cry, ma mignonneS There
J surely no cause for tears In our CONVEX
ation."
At this moment a servant girl entered
he room and announced that the Baron
. Merillac and his son were waiting out
de.