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

long closed volume Of my experience
Now it seems that knowledge Of my
trials will give force TO my advice.
will teach you to rely upon ny sympa-
thy and, | hope induce you to follow
my instructions. II / thought any ef-
fort Of mine could induce the count to
relinquish this marriage contract I
should still keep silent-but I am CON
WINGED that, fond as he is Of you, he
would break your heart before he would
forego his ambitious plans for you
Felicie shuddered and nestled closer
in her mothers arms.
There was a time, my Felicie, when
your mothers heart throbbed and beat
restlessly against just such an an
nOuncement as you have re-
ceiyed tonight-but how much
more hopelessly, you may i'm
agine, when I tell you her whole
affections were given TO another-and
that the startling revelation only came
to her upon the command to receive
husband from her own station"
The daughter reached up to kiss the
quivering lips, which spoke these words
falteringly.
My poor little Felicie, you thought
knew not how to pity you, while you
are so fortunately ignorant Of the fiery
pages which I have suffered. There
was ? pleasant boy, who was a foster
brother of my cousin Henri's, and who
shared Henri's home and education,
who even accompanied him to Germany
to the college. 1t was done with the de-
sire OF giving the poor, sickly child Of
nobility a companion TO cheer, amuse
and help him. And all Henri lacked
Emile possessed. He had a swift,
keen intellect, a splendidly developed
frame. a wonderfully gentle, refined,
and knightly soul. He was absolutely
necessary 10 the comfortable existence
of the feeble invalid, and he shared all
the advantages Of wealth. He dressed
like a gentleman, he had an education
far above the average, his manners
were elegant, his soul was pure. I was
constantly with the household. I
thought it was a pity for poor Henri.
and affection for my cousin Annette,
which drew ne there, into that happy
circle. I never discovered that il was
love for Emile. until I 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.
4 cannot tell you what strange I'M
pulse impelled me 10 hurry away into
the little arbor where Annette and Hen
ri sat listening to Emile's melOdious
tones as he read to them some old
poem, and break upon them the an
nouncement in the most tragic tone
Nv ewes were upon Emile's face. l
saw il turn deadly pale; l saw the
sDasm of agony shake his strong young
frame into the helplessness of child
hood Wretched and selfish that l
was. I felt a glow Of JOY to know that
he loved me-that the blow which
nierced 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 I 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 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 Fe-
licie. as she wiped away the streaming
tears.
The countess smiled drearily.
1T is of the past I 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 I acknowledged
then and now. What was a paltry
coronet. he asked. beside a lifetime OF
love and happiness? He was not no
hle horn 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
I could not contradict him. Then he
franticaIly besought me to fly to the
new world. just in the glory of its in
dependence. Oh, my child. Heaven
snare you the terrible conflict which
shook my very soul. 1t was a terrible
temptation-to leave the harsh, unpity-
ing father, who would wreck my hap
piness so needlessly. to fly with the
one nv whole heart clave TO- But