Crawford avalanche. (Grayling, Mich.) 1879-19??, 1895-06-27
A Test Of Love.

IDOL VI LUY6.
a. assure you, mother, that do
not want to marry yet" said Antoi-
nette to Nine. Odiot. II am so happy
with yourself; but should enjoy the
same happiness, the same peace and
the same conGentment when change
your fireside for another? l doubt
it! No, no, have plenty Of time
yet am only Is years of age. While
am much honored by the attentions
OF NJ. lie Baron de Merillac, l repeat
that / must refuse him! -
My dear child" replied Nine.
Odiot, you should reflect that one of
these days you will lose me. / have
been suffering for long time, and
very little would suffice to carry me
off. You will then find yourself with
out support, since your dear father is
gone, and husband is the natural
support Of young girl when she has
lost her parents. Baron Merillac is
very estimable young man. You
will probably never get such another
offer. He is enormously rich, and he
has title and is the only son of pa
rents 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 wishY'
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 l
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 a
man who would be suitable for you,
from every point of view"
Il shall like Nine. de Saverny still
less now" exclaimed the girl.
"What business is it of hers? If she
is so anxious to get NJ. de Merillac
married let her take him herself
She is q widow"
You are foolish, ma bonnie cherie.
Nj. de Merillac is % years old and
Nine. de Saverny is 50. She might
be his mother. But you should not
that you had some other reason than
the one you give so vehemently for
refusing M. de Merillac. I"
Some other reason" stammered
Antoinette, lowering her eyes, while
a pretty little flush came into her
cheeks.
Nine. Odiot watched her smilingly.
and several minutes passed in ST.
fence
Antoinette took up her sewing
again, and being aware no doubt
that her mothers eyes were fixed
upon her, presently rose and went
over to the piano. Nine. Odiot
stopped her as she went.
1--WE will settle the matter once
for all, 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 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
business?"
"Ohl / didn't say that-perhaps
later-when / am older-if theft ]
liked him. stammered the young
girl, much embarrassed.
so 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.
l think he is with your uncle at this
moment. Let US 60 across and see
him-I mean my brother-he has not
been very well of late"
''Oh, no, mother! my uncle II
quite well again." said Antoinettt
quickly.
''Ah! you have some news about
him?"
Antoinette bit her lips. Hel
answer had slipped out too quickly
''The gardener told me-" she added
naively.
Nine. Odiot pretended not t.
notice her daughters embarrass-
ment.
"Will you come with me an
going at once. As he is your guar
dian / ought to let him know at once
OF your decision with regard to M
de Merillac. for he knew all abou
him?"
"Oh! my uncle knew"
Yes"
And he approvedf"
YES"
Then CASTOR knew that II wa
proposed should marry this Bar
onY'
Perhaps"
% But he said nothing to me abou
iti"
II thought you had not seel
himv
"Ohl yes, that is-ohl no,