Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-08-16
A TEST OF LOVE.

IT assure you, mother, that 1 do not
want to marry yet, said Antoinctto to
Nine. Odiot. 81 am so happy with your
self, but should 1 enjoy the same happi-
ness, the same peace and the same content
mcnt when l change your freside for an
other? doubt it! No, no. have plenty
of time yet, am only IS years of age.
While 1 am much honorcd by the attentions
of NJ. lie Baron dc 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. 1 have been suffering
for long time, and very little would suf-
flee to carry me off. You will then find
yourself without support, since your dear
father is gone, and husband is the nat
ural support of a young girl when she has
lost her parents. Baron McrilaC is very
estimablc young man. You will probably
never get such another offer. He is enor
mously rich, and he has title and is the
only son Of parents who will adore and
worship you as ifyou were their own child.
1t would surely he madness to persist in a
refusal that has no basis. The baron is n
handsome cavalier, and his manners are
of the best. What more can you wish?'
CITIZEN you know himI" asked Antoi-
nettc, with surprise.
"Without doubt"
"Yct l have never seen him here, per-
sisted the girl.
"No he has never been here but have
met him several times at the house of Nine.
de Savcrny, where you would never accom-
pany me, under the prctcXt that she dis
pleased you, and it was Nine. de Savcrny
who spoke to me of tho baron as II man
who would be suitable for you, from every
point of view"
II shall like Nine. dc Saverny still less
now" exclaimed the girl. "What bust
ness is it of hers? If she is so anxious to
get NJ de Mcrilac married, let her take
him herself. She is widow"
"You are foolish, ma bonnie cheric. NJ.
de Mcrillac is 25 years old and Mmo. dc
Savcrny is so. 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 vehement
ly for refusing Nj. de Mcrillac."
"SOme other reason, " stamnorcd An
toinettc, lowering her eyes while pretty
little flush came into her checks.
Mime. Odiot watched her smilingly, and
several minutes passed in silence.
Antoinctto took up her sewing again,
and being aware no doubt that her moth
ers eyes were fixed upon her presently rose
and went over to the piano. Nine. OdioT
stopped her as she went.
eve will settle tho matter once for all, "
she said, "neycr to return to it. The rea-
son you refuse NJ. dc Merillac is because
you don't want to marry. Is it not?"
"Mais oui, maman, " said Antoinctte in
q voice that nevertheless lacked the ring
of sincerity.
$50 that no matter who else may come
to mo to ask your hand may tell him no
and send him about his busincssy"
"Oh didn't say that-pcrhaps later
when l am oldcr-if theft liked him, >"
stammerod the young girl, much embar-
raised.
$50 be it! We will talk of something
else. For instance, my dear nephew Gas
ton has now been with us for three weeks
and has nearly finished his picture. He
has been very busy making mo.slictchcs
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 well of late"
ooh, no, mother; my uncle is quite
well again, " said Antoinctte quickly.
"Ah, you have some news about him?"
AntoinCtte bit her lips. Her answer had
slipped out too quickly.
"The gardener told me- she added
naivolv