Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1895-07-25
VI le Baron dc Mcrillac and his son. I"

an le Baron dc Mcrillac and his son. "
she SAID.
Thea she Withdrew Antoinette hur-
riedly made up her mind to conceal her
self, when there appeared upon the thresh-
old of the room her uncle and CASTOR.
Sho stood gaping mt them without moving
and examined them.
"What docs this mean" she stammered,
turning toward her mother.
ASK your uncle and CASTOR himself"
replied Nine. Odiot.
ut means" said NJ. Lambert very seri-
ously, that ! come rs your guardian to
ask for you in marriage to the Baron de
Merillac."
'But-the announcement just made by
Justinc?' interrupted Antoinettc, 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 intcrrogating chances passed from
her mother to NJ Lambert and CASTOR,
the latter Of whom appeared II little dis
turbcd and nervous in spite of his smiling
face. Antoincttc had dried her tears, but
her eyes were still rcd and swollen from
crying.
CASTOR noticed this.
"You have been crying, Antoincttc?' no
asked her while NJ Lambert and Nine
Odiot stood apart and convcrscd in low
tones.
Yes, she replied to her cousin qucs-
ton.
WHY"
~ cannot tell YOU"
"Oh, " was all he said
well, Antoincttc," interrupted NJ
Lambert, you have given me no answer"
Mother has already spoken to me about
this gentleman, uncle and-nnd"-
"Andl" questioned Gaston's father.
"And' - continued Antoincttc, playing
ncrv0lIsly with II skcn of wool she held in
her hands.
"WcllY" insisted NJ. Lambert "Is it
diilc,'lt to say"
CASTOR made II step in tho direction Of
the young girl as though tooncouragc her.
"Tcll them, mother, what | answered
you, murmurcd the poor girl. Gaston's
attitude was torture to her.
"Wcll, began Nine. Odiot, exchanging
n glance with her brother, "my daughter
does not wish to get married. "
Castor made another step toward An
toincttc and seized her hand
"Not oven with moy' he asked, with u
trembling yoic"
"Mith your" cried the young girl, blush,
Ing and growing paIo by turns
eyes, with me, for love you! Do you
not know it?''
~ was su"o of it, " replied Nj. Lambert,
with II wink
For goodness sake ,cxplain yourscvcsr'
exclaimed Antoinrtte, looking ut all of
them in turn.
cit Ii easy TO explain" said Castor. 81
Thought | had guessed your love for me-
and told my father, COnfcssing my lovo
for you ut the Same time. He and your
mother talked il over and laid this trap to
SEQ If your love was strong enough to resist
u rich and tilted lover"
"Oh, Gnstonl and you have fallen into
tho trap"
Yes, petite cousinc, for ], too, wanted
to feel quito sure that | was being loved for
myself alone Now | know and can no
longer doubt, can /? You will be my wife,
won't yOuY'
81 But she has not said So" interrupted
Mime. Odiot mischicvously, without giving
her daughter time TO reply, and having
hard work herself To keep II serious face.
Yes, | have, mother, cried Antoincttc
with delightful simplicity.
All, Antonctto! Antoincttol Thank
you, my darling lttlo cousin, cxcaim
Castor, mad with joy
The young girl had flung herself upon
her mothers neck and embraced her with
all her heart.
Naughty mothrrl" she murmurrd In
her car ms she kissed her.
You are crying still2' asked Mime.
Odiot happily.
"Oh, no, chcro petite mere | am
laughing now
And, turning her radiant face toward
her uncle and cousin shn placed her hand
in that of Castor and allowed him to draw
her To his shoulder in u warm embrace -
From the French