River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-02-13

1T is absolutely necessary. You
promise me that you viii not show yoar
face?-
Il swear it,
They parted mutually satisfied. Lev
ignard was comforted by Durrieux's
promise; the latter was treasured, for
he knew he could postpone, at least for
awhile, the dangerous explanation to
his wife and Levignard. lie must still
find the solution which he had prom
ised, and, TO tell the truth, he could
think of nothing that would prove sat
isfaetory. But he was TOO Lind-heart-
ed not TO feel remorse with respect to
his eOmrade, and 10 appease it he felt
that he must fulfill his promise.
When Mime. Durrieux returned lit
tie late from a walk. there seemed TO
oe something uI-usual in the home at
mosphere; her husband. with his
checks swelled out by something that
seemed to be suffocating him, turned
and twisted through the salon with a
disconsolate look; as for her niece
she was assiduously playing the piano.
making discorls, which showed that
this occupation was only a pretense.
''Well-what's the matter?" said
Zine. Durrieux.
Her husband raised his hands to
heaven. loosened his cravat as though
he could scarcely breathe, and, gasp
ing, said: Ask your niece"
Her niece, with her hands on her
head, leaned he- elbows on the piano.
producing about as much harmony as
a moment before, her plump and grace
ful shoulders shaking-perhaps with
sobs. perhaps with suppressed laugh
ter; IL was hard to tell.
well" said DurrieuX, who had at
last succeeded in controlling himself.
your niece went out during your abb
sence, and where do you think found
herr"
Bracing himself, with his feet spread
apart and his arms crossed, he COM
menced swinging backward AMI for
ward like the pitching of a boat at
sea. and at last said: Where do you
think?"
'.IIow should / know? You make
me uneasy; has anything happened to
here"
II found her .; her lovers Office"
Mime. DurrSux rushed to her niece,
seized her by the arms, and turned her
about, exposing q roguish face, young
and lovely. but enigmatical. For
quarter of an hour it was impossible
to tell just what this pretty face ex-
pressed - confusion, remorse, 1r the
torment a smothered laugh infiicts
upon one who cries 10 control il.
''Do you mean 10 tell me you have
lover2" said Nine. DurrieuX.
'She went TO MS Office" interrupted
her uncle.
'You went TO has oflice!"
'She even resorted 20 his house."
again answered her uncle.
You will be good enough to-"
But the child lad had time to catch
up her handkerchief with n deft hand
and cover her face under preteXt of
weeping; thenceforth il was vain TO
try 10 question her.
'.You little rascal" Durrieux took
advantage of this to exclaim. "She
does not wish to answer. because she
has nothing to say; she does not wish
to tell the name of her lover, because
We do not approve of him. Yes, her
lover is the very one / have forbidden
her. II is n lover whom [ decline TO
sanction, and they are both aware of
it. 1t is a lover to whom both you and
have closed Gun doors, and with good
reason; il is the notary"
lie might Just as well have called him
eSecutioner; he could not have alluded
to the suitor's profession in a more dis
paraging manner.
~ child / looked upon as my own
daughter" he began again i'm a mild
tone, II discover at the notary's in
clined to revolt against her aunt's au-
thority as well as my own. What win
become of us? She cannot stay with
us after such an insult. 1t will be
necessary for her to leave the country.
But the scandal of her misconduct will
reflect upon u.s."
"Did anyone see hero" said Nine.
Derrieux. frightened at the gossip
that might ensuc.
''She may have been seen. or she may
not; but. my dear. in our little COM
munity, everybody knows such things
rs that. How unfortunate that this
seouudrel, Levignard, should have
such cursed reputation. i should say
that they ought To marry at once, with
out delay. lie is of a cool family, and
later will inherit some property; be-
sides, he alreadf has an established po-
sition which my become brilliant.
But 20 give him our niece would reflect
upon us, and surely do not wish that
no. it would be better TO exile the UNI
fortunate young girl
'What are you dreaming of? Are
YOU crazy? A marriage would be pref
cradle to all this scandal. Go and
bring that scoundrel of a notary and
let's make an end of all this"
Il viii not
Il insist
II repeat what said, my dear; I
will-not. That ends it,"
"You-wiil-not, | shall send the
maid for him. and the iinperious
woman ran to give orders about the
message.
After she had gone, both uncle and
niece sank into their chairs, exhausted
from their efforts TO control their
laughter.
''But, uncle" said the notary's future
intended, when poor Levignard finds
out that he has compromised me, he will
protest his innocence and my aunt will
accuse us of deeeiving her"
Don't distress yourself about Levi
enard." returned Durrieux. II have
warned him,"-From the French of
Jean Destrem, in San Francisco Ar
gonaut.
He Wanted the Best.
y little story which emphasizes the
fact that there is 4 great deal of human
nature where one would scarcely expect
10 discover il. is told of an old Quaker.
Many years ago. when church organs
\.