Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1897-10-20

sire of giving the poor, siekly child of
nobility a companion to cheer, amuse
and help him. And all Henri lacked
Emile possessed. He had a swift,
keen intellect, splendidly developed
frame, a 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
Tar 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 it 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 it with
kisses.
Il cannot tell you what strange i'm
pulse impelled me to hurry away into
the little arbor where Annette and Hen
ri sat listening to Emiles melodious
tones as he read to them some old
poem, and break upon them the an
nouncement in the most tragic tone
My eyes were upon Emile's face.
saw it turn deadly pale, | saw the
spasm of agony shake his strong young
frame into the helplessness of child
hood. Wretched and selfish that |
was, felt a glow of joy to know that
he loved me-that the blow which
pierced mine struck home to his heart.
He said not a word but threw down
his book, and walked away Annette
looking frightened, went after him,
and | 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 we'll understood the
depth of my wretchedness. Too well
he knew, who had known such a true
nobleman with natures signet instead
of an earthly monarch's, on his brow,
could have no heart for lower union
of soul"
My poor, poor mother" sighed Fee
licie, as she wiped away the streaming
tears.
The countess smiled drearily.
1T 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;
alas, 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
ents were an unfailing mine-he would
make me happier, as his wife. than the
count could with palace and a crown.
| 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 chlldl Heaven
spare you the terrible conflict which
shook my very soul! 1t was a terrible
temptation-to leave the harsh, unpity-
ing father, Wiz would wreck my hap
piness so needlessly. to fly with the
one my whole heart clave to. But |
was spared the decision My father
had somehow obtained an idea of the
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 heaped upon Emile the most
abusive language, the most abhorrent
1irfy MI l, L.,
tue, only the nostrils were curved with
fiery Indignation, and the eyes glowed
like balls of fire. He answered not a
word-but coming to me, held out his
hand, and the hollow despair of the
tone haunts me now
1t is needless to struggle longer
against fate, said he slowly; farewell.
Marguerite. Heaven give me all the
bitterness, and leave you peace.
And before | could speak, he was
gone My fathers anger with me was
terrible. | was so crushed beneath
it, | made no effort to save myself, and
more like corpse than bride. was
brought hither by your father, only
two months after Emile'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 a kind friend.
just the comforter | needed The Able
Recalled is dead now; you will no long
er wonder that | hang a wreath every
Christmas upon his grave when | tell
you he taught me to be at peace
again.
1t was useless to repine, nothing
could relieve me now-why not try to
find some happiness, said he, since
heaven had sent me such Iot?'
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.
II 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 f'elicie, is no such trial as | have
related you understand why | have
kept you in such strict retirement, why
aaye watched over you so jealousy
to prevent your forming any attach
ment before seeing the marquis-I |