Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1895-07-25
an. Ie Baron de Merillac and his son, y

IN. Ie Baron de Merillac and his son, +"
she said.
Then she withdrew. Antoinette bur-
riedly 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 mean?" she stammered,
turning toward her mother.
"Ask your uncle and CASTOR himself, f."
replied Nine. Odiot.
"It means" said M. Lambert very seri-
ously, THAT come as your guardian to
ask for you In marriage to the Baron do
Merillac."
"But-the announcement just made by
Justiner' 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 glanoes passed from
her mother to M. Lambert and CASTOR
the latter Of whom appeared little dis
turbed 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 Antoinette?" he
asked her while N. Lambert and Nine
Odiot stood apart and oonversed In low
tones.
eyes" she replied to her cousins ques-
ton.
"Why"
II cannot tell you"
"Oh," was all he said.
"Well, Antoinette," interrupted M.
Lambert you have given me no answer
Mother has already spoken to me about
this gentleman, uncle, and-and"-
"Andf" questioned Gaston's father
And continued Antoinette, playing
nervously with q skein of wool she held in
her hands.
"Wellf" insisted M. Lambert. as it
difficult to sayp''
CASTOR made a step in the direction of
the young girl as though to encourage her.
Tell them, mother, what answered
you" murmured the poor girl. Gaston's
attitude was torture to her
well, " began Nine. Odiot, exchanging
glance with her brother, "my daughter
does not wish to got married."
CASTOR made another step toward An
toinette and seized her hand.
mot even with mep' he asked, with q
trembling voice.
with your cried the young girl, blush
ing and growing pale by turns
Yes with me, for love you! Do you
not know itp"
II was sure Of It,, replied M. Lambert,
with wink.
" For goodness sake, explain yourselvesl"
exclaimed Antoinette, looking at all of
them in turn
ut Is easy to explain, " said CASTOR. II
thought ! had guessed your love for me,
and ! told my father oonfessing my love
for you at tho same time. He and your
mothor talked 1t over and laid this trap to
see IT your love was strong enough to resist
rich and tilted lover"
"Oh, CASTOR! and you have fallen into
the trapY'
Yes, petite cousine, for I, too, wanted
to feel quite sure that was being loved for
myself alone. Now I know and can no
longer doubt, can II You will be my wife,
won't your"
But she has not said SO, J" interrupted
Mime. Odiot mischievously, without giving
her daughter time to reply, and having
hard work herself to keep serious face.
Yes, have, mother cried Antoinette,
with delightful simplicity.
"Ah, Antoinette! Antoinettel Thank
you. my darling little cousin" exolaim
CASTOR, mad with Joy.
The young girl had flung herself upon
her mothers neck and embraced her with
all her heart
Naughty mother" she mur1nured in
her ear as she kissed her.
"YOu are crying stillp" asked Nine,
Odiot happily.
"Oh no, ohere petite mere. I am
laughing now''
And, turning hcr radiant faco toward
her uncle and cousin she placed her hand
in that Of CASTOR and allowed him to draw
her to his shoulder in warm embrace
From the French.