Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1897-11-06
cHAPTER II.-IcorrIrrrn.
INTERNATIONAL Paess ASSOCIATION

But you cannot imagine hos keenly
] suffer" sobbed she.
Can notg al. my child, yoa little
guess how thoroughly ] read every
thought, how / bleed over every
inward pang."
And you do not blame me? Say you
90 not think ! am wrong"
Aoi wrong. my precious one. but
Ike the imprisoned bird beating itself
uselessly against the bars. very un-
wise. What IL unavoidable must be
accepted with the best grace possible.
Spare yourself nnayailing agony"
And IL ] could help It" was FeIicie's
indignant reply.
At least, my love. you might try 10
look upon il in pleasanter light Who
knows but the marquis may prove your
ideal hero2 For ] am sure there is no
real love. / have watched you jeal-
ously enough. ]. hope, 10 make sure OF
that"
Felicie's eyes flashed angrily.
i cannot like him. detest him-to
seek defenceless. unwilling bride for
the sake OF her wealth--if he were pos
sessed Of all the graces ] should abhor
him."
Now, my daughter is unreasonable"
was the mild remonstrance.
But. mamma. is not this way of con-
tracing marriage barbarous and re-
yolting?"
les. my dear, exceedingly SO. II
Is the fault of many years growth. We
in France do not look upon human be-
ings as so many souls, worthy or un-
worthy: but we rate rank with rank,
whether IL joins great hearts and puny
natures or otherwise II Is a great
evil. yet you and /, Felicie, cannot al
ter IL Your father approves of it. sees
no harm in II. You know how thor
ough an aristocrat he Is. I have hith-
erto tried 10 conceal from you the
pain IL gave me to see his lack OF SYM
pathy with those below US. 1t seems
the time has come now when your hap
piness demands a better understand
ing"
Il DO not need this explanation at
least-from a child have seen the Eaf-
ference in your care for our people,
and my fathers ] have not always
failed TO notice the grateful glance OF
adoring love which follows you from
cottage 10 cottage. nor the angry srowl,
or sullen apathy which greets my faith
er's appearance" replied Felicie, grave
E.
The countess was silent, lost IN q
painful revey.
"oh. mamma, don't think have net
appreciated your noble nature. your
generous delicacy. that would never
hint to me, NOR allow me to refer to,
my fathers failings. Do you know,
have often wondered how you came
TO have him. you who must have been
so grand and beautiful in your girl
hood"
Felicie spoke timidly. expecting the
reproof she Immediately received.
Hush, my child! cannot listen TO
a disparaging word. He is your father.
my husband. would indeed be had
a more generous forbearance fer the
down trodaen peasant; but We are all
sinful In some way-we mnst target,
We must overlook each others faults"
AS IL there were any fault in your
character exclaimed Felicie warmly,
sinking down into her seat agaiK-,her
excitement somewhat exhausted.
'Alack. Felicie, IL you knew what
constant struggling / have endured
But IL is of you i am thinking. ! have
been painfully anxious concerning this
engagement; bat 1 build all my hopes |
upon the marquis; ! have only heard |
favorable accounts OF him. Oh, my
child, you must learn to love him.
you must stIbdue this wilful objection
to one you have never seen, or your
win be wrecked. Heaven
save you from all have undergonew
You. mammal exclaimed Felicie. I'm
quite forgetting her own
grief in pity for the storm of emotion
which the question brought to her usu-
lilly calm and gentle mother.
"Hush!" said the countess. regaining
her composure with a powerful effort,
They are coming with the refreshment
ray"
The servants entered. spread out the
my table with dainty repast. lighted
he scores of candles in two silver can
lelabra. and vanished again.
Now. then. you must tell me about
I. mammal" said Felicie when they
ose from the table.