The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1896-02-07
81 swear it."

tB lcl u w d. COIilOIlCu ny
promise; the latter was treasured, for
he knew he could postpone, at least for
awhile, the dangerous explanation to
his wife and Levignard. He must still
find the solution which he had prom
Used, and, to tell the truth, he could
think of nothing that would prove sat
isfactory. But he was too kind-heart-
ed not to feel remorse with respect to
his comrade, and to appease it he felt
that he must fulfill his promise.
When Nine. Durrieux returned lit
tie late from a walk, there seemed to
be something unusual in the home at
mosphere; her husband, with his
cheeks swelled out by something that
seemed to be suffocating him, turned
and twisted through the salon with
disconsolate look; as for her niece
she was assiduously playing the piano.
making discords, which showed that
this occupation was only pretense.
''Well-what's the matter?' said
Mime. DurrieuX.
Her husband raised his hands to
heaven, loosened his cravat as though
IlC COulu oSdlCCly eihNl, p
ing, said: "Asl1 your niece"
Her niece, with her hands on her
head, leaned her elbows on the piano.
producing about as much harmony as
moment before, her plump and grace
full shoulders shaking perhaps with
sobs, perhaps with suppressed laugh
ter; it was hard to tell.
"Well,' said Durrieux, who had at
last succeeded Ill controlling himself.
''your niece went out during your alb
sence, and where do you think 1 found
her?'
"How should l know? You make
me uneasy; has anything happened to
her?"
81 found her at her lovers Office"
Nine. DurrieuX rushed to her niece,
seized her by the arms, and turned her
about, exposing 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, or the
torment a smothered laugh inficts
upon one who tries to control it.
''Do you mean to tell me you have a
lover?" said Nine. Durrieux.
"She went to his Office" interrupted
her uncle.
you went to his office!"
"She even resorted to his house."
again answered her uncle.
''You will be good enough to-"
But the child had had time to catch
up her handkerchief with deft hand
and cover her face under pretext of
weeping; thenceforth it was vain to
try to 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 l have forbidden
her. 1t is a lover whom / decline to
sanction, and they are both aware of
it. It is a lover to whom both you and
I have closed our doors, and with good
reason; it is the notary"
He might just as well have called him
eXecutioner; he could not have alluded
TO the suitor's profession in more dis
paraging manner.
daughter" he began again in mild
tone, 81 discover at the notary's in
clined to revolt against her aunt's au-
thority as well as my own. What will
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 her?" said Nine.
DerrieuX, frightened at the gossip
that might enSue.
'She may have been seen, or she may
not; but. my dear, in our little COM
munity, everybody knows such things
as that. How unfortunate that this
scoundrel, Levignard, should have
such a cursed reputation. | should say
that they ought to marry at once, with
out delay. He is of good family, and
later will inherit some property; be-
sides, he alread has an established po-
sition which may become brilliant.
But to give him our niece would reflect
upon us, and surely do not wish that
no, it would be better to exile the un
fortunate young girl"
w ndC are you dreaming Oh 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"
81 will not"
81 insist"
81 repeat what said, my dear; I
will--not. That ends it,"
"You-will-not! / shall send the
maid for him." and the imperious
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 thai he has compromised me, he will
protest mis- innocence aid my aunt will
accuse us of ,deceiving her."
Don't distress yourself about Levi,
gnard." returned Durrieux, ST have
warned m,''-From the French OF
Jean Destrem. in San Francisco Ar.
gonaut.
Corn is poor food for young stock
of any kind.
Any sudden change of diet is sure to