Rocky Ford enterprise., 1896-11-19
7.M.T.CALDOR

who even accompanied him to Germany
to the college. 1t was done with the de-
sire of giving the poor. sickly child OF
nobility companion to cheer, amuse
| and help him. And all Henri lacked
| Emile possessed. He had swift,
keen intellect, splendidly developed
frame, wonderfully gentle. refined,
and knightly soul. He was absolutely
necessary to the comfortable existence
of the feeble invalid, and he shared all
the advantages Of wealth. He dressed
like gentleman, he had an education
far above the average. his manners
were elegant, his soul was pure. was
constantly with the household.
thought 1t was a pity for poor Henri.
and affection for my cousin Annette.
which drew me there, into that happy
circle. never discovered that 1t was
love for Emile, until l was Informed
by my father that he had accepted the
| suit of Count Languedoc."
She sighed heavily. and caught her
breath quiveringly. Her daughter
seized her hand, and covered 1t with
kisses. Hi. r.
II cannot tell you what strange i'm
the little arbor where Annette and Hem
ri sat listening to Emile's melodious
tones as he read to them some old
poem. and break upon them the an
nouncement In tho most tragic tone.
| My eyes were upon Emilc's face. /
saw 1t turn deadly pale; saw the
spasm OF agony shake his strong young
frame into the helplessness OF child
hood. Wretched and selfish that !
was. 1 felt glow Of joy to know that
he loved me-that the blow which
pierced mine struck home to his heart.
He said not word, but threw down
his book. and walked away. Annette
looking frightened. went after him.
and 1 threw myself. weeping bitterly.
beside Henri. Poor boy! he tried to
comfort me-but he had read that one
swift look exchanged between Emile
and myself, and well understood the
depth of my wretchedness. Too we'll
he knew, who had known such true
nobieman with natures signct. instead
OF an earthly monarch's. on his brow.
| could have no heart for lower union
of SOUL"
| MY poor, poor mother!' sighed Fc-
licie. as she wiped away the streaming
tears.
The countess smiled drearily.
"It Is OF the past am telling you my
child-not of the present. remember.
Emile found means to speak with me
alone. He was nearly crazed with
grief. He talked bitterly and wildly:
alae, truthfully, Also as acknowledged
then and now. What was a paltry
coronet, he asked. beside lifetime of
love and happiness? He was not no.
BILE born, but he should never be poor.
His education, his strength. his tai
cnts were an unfaii.ng m.ne-he would
make me happier, as his wife. than the
| count could with a palace and a crown.
l could not contradict him. Then he
frantically besought me to fly to the
new world. just in the glory of its in
dependence. oh, my child. Heaven
spare You the terrible conflict which
shook my very coul It was terrible
temptation-to leave the harsh, unpity-
ing father, who would wreck my hap
piness SO reedlessly. to fly with the
one my whole heart clave to. But l
was spared the decision. My father
cause of my reluctance to fulfil his
wishes. He had watched our meeting
In the summer house between the two
estates. He came upon Us like roar
Ing lion; he hcaped upon Emile the most
abusive language, the most abhorrent
revilings. Emile was like marble sta
tue, only the nostrils were curved with
fiery Indignation, and the eyes glowed
like balls Of fire. He answered not a
word-but coming 10 me. held out hls
hand, and the hollow despair of the
tone haunts me now.
"'It is needless to struggle longer
against fate,' said he slowly: farewell,
Marguerite. Heaven give me all the
bitterness and leave you peace
And before I could speak. he was
gone. My fathers anger with me was
terrible. was so crushed beneath
1t, made no effort to save myself. and
more like a corpse than a bride. was
brought hither by your father, only
two months after Em!le's farewell"
"Oh, mamma, mamma. my angel
mammal" sobbed Felicie; "and you
have lived till this time"
The countess smiled mournfully.
Dear child grief does not always
kill. Moreover. found kind friend
Just the comforter needed. The Able
Recalled is dead now; you will no long
er wonder that hang wreath every
Christmas upon his grave when tell
YOU he taught me to be at peace
again. pf
"'lt was useless to repine, nothing
could relieve me now-why not try to
find some happiness said he. since
heaven had sent me such lot?
And / saw the wisdom and goodness
of the suggestion. Even before you
came, my treasure, my jewel, my hap
piness, had grown calm and cheerful.
/ had shut the past from my mind as
much as possible. and sought out the
pleasures of my lot. Never should
have revealed 1t to you. but that 1t
seemed to me you needed the lesson.
1t is even more hopeless now to at
tempt to escape from your fathers will;
he can appeal to the king. and compel
you to marry as he wishes. For you,
my Felicie, is no such trial as l have
related; you understand why l have
kept you in such strict retirement, why
l have watched over you SO jealousy
to prevent your forming any attach