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


"Let us go. Are you comingP"
Nine. O1iot turned away to hide q
smile.
''Is my presence very necessary"
the young girl asked. Then she add
ed: 81 think that my uncle and
yourself will be able to talk more at
your ease if 1 go away; besides my
uncle will question me and shan't
know how to answer him."
THAT is quite simple. You will
answer him as you answered me ]"
"You are making fun of me, mother, !"
replied Antoinette, peevishly.
''Not the least IN the world. It is
not quite natural that you should re-
fuse q match so agreeable to your
mother and your tutor for SO plausible
reason you do not want to get mar
ried. But here we are talking again
on this subject, which we had agreed
to leave alone! 1t was you that start
ed it again, you must notice !"
ooh, now, mother, you make me
cryl"
And Antoinette burst into tears and
threw herself upon her mothers neck.
"Why do you cry, ma mignonne?
There is surely no cause for tears in
our conversation.
At this moment a servant girl en-
tered the room and announced that
the Baron de Merillac and his son
we're waiting outside.
monsieur 10 Baron dc Merillac and
his son." she said.
Then she withdrew. Antoinette
hurredlY made up her mind to conceal
herself, when there appeared upon
the threshold of the room her uncle
and CASTOR. She stood gaping at
them without moving aud examined
them.
"What does this mean?" she STAN
mered, turning toward her mother.
''Ask your uncle and CASTOR him
SELF" replied Nine. Odiot.
"It MEANS" said NJ. Lambert very
seriously. "that come as your guard
ian to ask for you in marriage to the
Baron de Merillac.
"But-the announcement just made
by Justine?" interrupted Antoinette,
who could not understand why the
Baron and his father did not make
their appearance, and why her uncle
made this request, when they were
evidently both waiting in the next
room.
Her interrogating glances passed
from her mother to NJ. Lambert and
CASTOR, the latter of whom appeared
a little disturbed and nervous in spite
of his smiling face. Antoinette had
dried her tears, but her eyes were
still red and swollen from crying.
CASTOR noticed this.
''You have been crying, Antoin-
cite ?" he asked her, while NJ. Lam
bert and Nine. Odiot stood apart and
conversed in low tones.
EYES," she replied to her cousins
question.
"WhyP"
81 cannot tell you"
"Oh |" was all he said.
"Well, Antoinet' e." interrupted NJ.
Lambert, "you have given me no
answerl"
"Mother has already spoken to me
about this gentleman, uncle, and
and"
"And?" questioned Gaston's father.
"And-" continued Antoinette,
playing nervously with a skein of
wool she held in her hands.
"Well?" insisted M. Lambert, sis
it difficult to say?"
CASTOR made a step in the direction
OF the young girl, as though to en-
courage her.
"rell them, mother, what l answered
you," murmured the poor girl. Gas
tons attitude was torture to her.
"Well," began Nine. Odiot, ex-
changing glance with her brother,
"my daughter does not wish to get
married."
CASTOR made another step toward
Antoinette and seized her hand.
"Not even with me-" he asked with
trembling voice.
"With your" cried the young girl,
blushing and growing pale by turns.
eyes, with me, for / love you. Do
you not know it?"
"I was sure of it," replied NJ. Lam
bert with a wink.
"For goodness sake, explain your
selves l' exclaimed Antoinette, look
ing at all of them in turn.
"It is easy to explain" said CASTOR.
81 thought had guessed your love
for me, and told my father, confess
ing my love for you at the samo time.
lie aud your mother talked it over
and laid this trap to see if your love
was strong enough to resist rich and
titled lover"
"Oh, Castor! and you have fallen
into the trap?"
"Yes, petite cousine, for | TOO want
cd to feel quite sure that was being
loved for myself alone. Now know,
and can no longer doubt, can II"
You will be my wife, won't your
"2ut she has not said So" inter
rupted Nine. Odiot mischievously,
without giving her daughter time to
reply, and having hard work herself
to keep serious face.
"Yes, l have mother" criel An
to:uette, with delightful simplicity.
"Ahl Antoiuette Antolnette !
Thank you, my darling little cousin,
exclaimed Castor, mad with Joy.
The young girl had flung herself
upon her mothers neck and embraced
her with all her heart.
Naughty mother !" she murmerod
ia her ear Rs she kissed her,
'You are crying still2" asked Nine.
Odiot, haunn