Hutchinson gazette. [volume] (Hutchinson, Kan.) 1895-1902, 1897-04-22

''It is no time now; can AFFORD to
wait"
Edward. leading the smiling Felicie.
came to the countess.
Dearest mother, will you give US
your blessing, though come stripped
Of coronet, fortune, estate; Of every
thing except devoted love, strong
arm, and resolute will"
"A thousand times more joyfully, my
dear boy, than l could have done in the
Chateau Languedoc on that fatal even
ing; you will give my Felicie the price
less offering 1t was not then in your
power to bestow, a loving and appreci'
ating heart" answered the countess.
"As regards the fortune" observed
Emile, "the package of diamonds re-
mains untouched, just as your hapless
father secured 1t in readiness for leav-
ing France. have kept 1t on my per
son day and night through many perils
and vicissitudes, but it is safe, and SO
are all the valuable gems Of the Ian
guedoc family. You may lack the
grandeur of the old days, but poverty
you will never need to fear"
Noble, generous Emile" echoed one
and all; you have done all for US, moth
ing for yourself"
He smiled dreamily.
Lady Felicie drew his stately head
down to her lips, and whispered some
thing in his ear.
He smiled again, kissed her fondly,
and turned away hastily.
What did you say, my child?" asked
the countess.
Il made him promise; sometime I'll
tell you what It was. Oh, mamma,
mamma, how can we be thankful
enough for this joyful ending of our
troubles!
The other passengers had discreetly
retired. Jeannot had retreated after
Emile, and now Edward Jules discOV-
cred 1t were judiclous for him also to
leave the agitated mother and daugh-
ter to themselves. 1t was long and
perfectly open conversation which en-
sued.
And the good ship sped Oh her way,
and bore them all safely to the friendly
English shore.
They found a pretty country seat a
little distance from the seashore, but
whose cupola gave a glimpse Of the
blue waves stretching toward their
poor, distracted, but still dearly be-
loved France, and thither they all went.
Jules and Felicie were to be married
at once, In the most private and I'M
ostentatious manner. Emile was very
grave, and very restless after the day
was actually fixed upon.
Lady Felicie had watched him anxi-
ously, and one morning she suddenly
seized his hand, and with an arch
smile, though dewy eye, she led him
to the easy chair where her mother sat
looking out thoughtfully into the sunny
garden.
Her new found happiness, and cloth
ing becoming her station, had wrought
marvellous change In the appearance
Of the countess. A soft color restored
the youthful outline to her face, the
peaceful look in the dark eyes, the be-
coming head dress, all had restored as
II by magic, her olden beauty.
TRY, dearest Emile, and remember
that have promised It," cried Fellcie,
and ran hastily away.
What followed was too sacred for
Fellcie even to inquire about, much
more, then, for me to give to pen de-
scription. But in little more than an
hour, they came out to the garden
where Felicle and Edward were wait
ing in painful suspense.
A single glance showed the young
couple what had happened.
What serene peace deepened the
tints of Emile's eagle eyes, what a
sweet content nestled around the lips
Of the countess!
"Felicie," said Emile, my child In
deed; we will have a double wedding"
Fellcie kissed them both in extrava-
gance OF delight.
And so both members Of the naughty
counts family parted with the proud
name OF Languedoc. Neither ever re-
pented 1t. They lived in England in
peace and quiet. until tranquility re-
turned to France, when they sought
again her beloved shores.