Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-08-16

Nine. Odiot pretended not to notice her
daughters embarrassment.
"Will you come with me? am going
at once. AS he is your guardian l ought
to let him know at once of your decision
with regard to NJ. dc Merillac for he knew
all about him."
"Oh, my uncle knew"
eyes"
"And he approvedP"
eyes"
"Then CASTOR knew th2t it was pro.
posed l should marry this Daron"
Perhaps"
"But he has said nothing to me about
itr'
~ thought you had not seen him''
ooh, yes-that is-Oh, mol have not, "
replied the girl, turning her face away in
her confusion over her little fbs with
which she was inexperienced.
"Lct us 60. Are you coming?"
Nine. Odiot turned away to hide a smile.
as my presence very necessary" tho
young girl asked. Then she added: 81
think that my uncle and yourself will be
able to talk more at your ease if l go away;
besides my uncle will question me, ana 1
shan't know how to answer him."
THAT is quite simple. You will an
swer him just rs you answered met"
"You are making fun of me, mother,
replied AntOincStc pCevishly.
"Not the least in the world 1t is not
quito natural that you should refuse q
match so agreeable to your mother and
your tutor for so plausible Il reason. You
l., ,t T,,f 1,,nr,rin1 Int Ipr
are talking again on this subject, which
we had agreed to leave alonol 1t was you
that started it again, you must nOtice!'
"Oh, now, mother, you make me cryl"
And Antonctte burst into tears and
threw herself upon her mothers neck.
"Why do you Cry, ma mignonnc? There
is surely no cause for tears in our CONVEX
sation."
At this moment q servant girl entered
the room and announced that the Baron
dc Mcrillac and his son were waiting out.
side.
AN. lie Baron d, Murillac and his son"
she said.
Then she withdrew. Antoinetto hur-
ricdly made up her mind to conceal her
self, when there appeared upon the thresh
old of the room her uncle and Castor.
She stood gaping at them without moving
and examined them.
"What does this mcan?' she stammered,
turning toward her mother
ASK your uncle and CASTOR himself,
replied Nine Odiot.
1T mcans,@ said NJ. Lambert very scri-
ously, "that l como as your guardian to
nGl- for in, 70 tbn do
Morillac."
"But-thc announcement just made by
JustinC?" interrupted Antoincttc, 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 inteTogating glances passed from
her mother to NJ. Lambert and Castor,
the latter of whom appeared u little dis
turbcd and nervous in spite of his smiling
face. Antoinetto had dried her tears but
her eyes were still red and swollen from
crying.
Castor noticed this.
"YOu have been crying, Antoincttc?" he
asked her whilo NJ. Lambert and Nine.
Odiot stood apart and conversed in low
tones.
Yes, )" she replied to her cousins ques-
ton.
"Why?"
81 cannot tell you"
"Oh, " was all he said.
"Wcl, Antoinctte," interrupted NJ.
Lambert, you have given me no answer"
"Mothcr has already spoken to me about
this gentleman, uncle, and-and"-
"Andy" questioned Gaston's father.
and - continued AntoinGtte, playing
ncryously with skcin of wool she held in
her hands.
"Well?" insisted NJ. Lambert. as it
difficult to sayg'
Castor made a step in the direction Of
the young girl rs though to encourage her.
"Tell them, mother what answered
you" murmured the poor girl. Gaston's
attitude was torture to her.
"Woll," began Nine. Odiot, exchanging
a glance with her brother, "my daughter
does not wish to get married."
Castor made another step toward An
toinettc and seized her hand.
"Not even with me?" he asked, with a
trembling voice.
with your" cried the young girl, blush.
ing ana growing pale by turns.
Yes, with me, for l love you! Do you
not know it,"
81 was sure of it, - replied NJ. Lambert
with n wink.
'For goodness sake, explain yourselves"
exclaimed Antoinette, looking at all of
them in turn.
at is easy to explain, said CASTOR. 81
thought l had guessed your love for me-
and l told my father confcssing my love
for you at the same time. He and your
mother talked it over and laid this trap to
sec if your love was strong enough to resist
a rich and tilted lover"
"Oh Gastonl and you have fallen into
the trap"
eyes, petite cousinc, for I, too, wanted
to feel quite sure that was being loved for
myself alone. Now l know and can no
longer doubt, can 1? You will be my wife,
won't voug'