The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1895-06-26

] doubt it No, no, haye plenty OF
time yet. am only eighteen years OF
age. While l am much honored by
tho attentions of NJ. 10 Baron de
Merillac, 1 repeat that must refuse
him -
"My dear child" replied Nine.
Odiot, ''you should reflect that one OF
these days you will lose me. l have
been suffering for a long time, and
very little would suffice to carry me
of. You will then find yourself with
out support, since your dear father is
gone, and q husband is tho natural
support of u young girl when she has
lost her parents. Baron Merillac is a
very estimable young man. You will
probably never get such another offer.
He is enormously rich, and he has q
title and is the only son OF parents
who will adore and worship you as if
you were their own child. 1t would
surely be madness to persist in a re-
fusal that has no basis. The Baron is
q handsome cavalier, and his manners
are of the best. What more can you
wish?"
"Then you know him ?" asked An
toinette, with surprise.
''Without doubt"
"Yet have never seen him here"
persisted 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 accompany me, under
the pretext that she displeased you,
and it was Nine. de Saverny who spoke
to me of the Baron as O man who
would be suitable for you, from every
point of view."
"I shall like Nine. de Saverny still
less now," exclaimed the girl. "What
business is it of hersp If she is SO
anxious to get NJ. de Merillac married
let her take him herself. She is a
widow"
"You are foolish, ma home cherie.
NJ. de Merillac is twenty-five years
old and Nine. de Saverny is fifty. 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 vehemently
for refusing NJ. de Merillac."
"Some other reason," stammered
Antoinette, lowering her eyes, while q
pretty little flush came into her
checks.
Nine. Odiot watched her smilingly,
and several minutes passed in silence.
Antoinette took up her sewing
again, and being aware no doubt that
her mothers eyes were fixed upon
her, presently roso and went over to
the piano. Niue. Odiot stopped her
as she went.
"We will settle the matter once for
all, r." she said, "never to return to it.
The reason you refuse NJ. de Merillac
is because you don't want to marry, is
it not?"
"Mais oui, maman," said Antoi,
nette, in a voice that nevertheless
lacked the ring of sincerity.
$50 that, no matter who else may
come to me to ask your hand l may
tell him no, and send him about his
business?"
"Oh! 1 don't say that-perhaps
later-when / am older-if theft /
liked him, stammered the young girl,
much embarrassed.
$50 be it! We will talk of some
thing else. For instance, my dear
nephew CASTOR has now been with us
for three weeks, and has nearly fin
ished his picture. He has been very
busy making some sketches in the
woods for another one he has in view.
think he is with your uncle at this
moment. Let us go across and see
him-I mean my brother-he has not
been very we'll of late"
ooh, no, mother my uncle is quite
we'll again." said Antoinette quickly.
"Ahl you have some news about
him?"
Antoinette bit her lips. Her answer
slipped out too quickly.
"Ihe gardener told me" she added
naiyely Nine. Odiot pretended not
to notice her daughters embarrass-
ment.
will you come with me2 lam 60
ing " once. AS hs is your guardian
ought 20 let him know al once OF
your decision with TegaEd 10 N. de