Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1897-10-22
CHAPTER II.-(CoxrINuED.)

Dcan [ not? all, my child, you little
nness how thoroughly l read every
sSongbt. how l bleed over every
inward pang."
and YOU do not blame me? Say you
do not think l am wrong.
mot wrong, my precious one, but
,,ke tbe imprisoned bird beating itself
,,selessly against the bars, very I'M
mise What is unavoidable must be
occented with the best grace possible.
snare yourself unavailing agony"
~And if I could help it," was Felicie's
indignant reply.
"At least. my love, you might try to
look upon it in pleasanter light. Who
knows but the marquis may prove your
ideal hero? For l am sure there is no
reaI love. I have watched you jeal-
.ouslv enough, 1 hope, to make sure OF
that"
Felicie's eyes flashed angrily.
81 cannot like him. detest him-tO
sock a 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-
volting?"
Yes. my dear, exceedingly so. 1t
}s the fault of many years growth. We
in France do not look upon human be-
ings as so many souls, worthy or IN
worthy: but we rate rank with rank,
whether it Joins great hearts and puny
natures or otherwise. 1t is a great
evil. yet you and I, Felicie, cannot al
ter it. Your father approves OF it, sees
no harm in it. You know how thor
ough an aristocrat he is. I have hith-
erto tried to conceal from you the
main il gave me to see his lack OF sym
nathv with those below us. 1t seems
fhe time has come now when your hap
piness demands a better understand
ing"
81 do not need this explanation at
least-from a child have seen the dlT-
ference in your care for our people,
and NV fathers. l have not always
failed to notice the grateful glance OF
adoring love which follows you from
cottage to cottage, nor the angry scoWl,
or sullen apathy which greets my 1atn-
er's appearance" replied Felicie, grave
ly.
The countess was silent, lost in
painful revery.
ooh mamma. don't think l nave not
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
I 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
reDroof she Immediately received.
Hush, my child I cannot listen TO
disparaging word. He is your father,
nv husband. I would indeed he had
a more generous forbearance for the
down trodden peasant; but We are all
sinful in some wayne must forget
we must overlook each others faults.
"As if there were any fault in your
characterr' exclaimed Felicie Warmly
sinking down into her seat again-her
excitement somewhat exhausted.
"Alack. Felicie. if you knew what
constant struggling I have endured
But it is of you I am thinking nave
been painfully anxious concerning thls
engagement: but I build all my hopes
upon the marquis: I have only heard
favorable accounts of him. Oh, my
child. YOU must learn to love hlm'
Won must subdue this wilful objection
to one you have never seen, or your
happiness will be wrecked. Heaven
save YOU from all have undergone.
"You. mammal exclaimed Felicle, IN
establishment. quite forgetting her own
grief in pitv for the storm OF emotion
which the question brought to her usu-
ally calm and gentle mother.
"Hush! said the countess. regalnlhs
her composure with a powerful ehor'
"They are coming with the refreshmehl
tray"
The servants entered, spread out the
inv table with dainty repast lighted
the scores of candles in two silver can
delabra. and vanished again.
"Now. then. you must tell me ABOUT
If mammal said Felicie when they
rose from the table.
CHAPTER III.
rE--f7l HE countess hau