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

| suffer, sobbed she.
Can not? ah, my child. you little
guess how thoroughly l read every
thought. how l bleed over every
inward pang."
And you do not blame me? Say you
do not think | am wrong"
Not wrong, my precious one, but
like the imprisoned bird beating itself
useleesly against the bars, very UNI
wise. What is unavoidable must be
accepted with the best grace possible.
Spare yourself unavailing agony"
And if could help it, was Felicie's
indignant reply.
AT least, my love, you might try to
look upon it in a pleasanter light. Who
knows but the marquis may prove your
ideal hero? For | am sure there is no
real love. | have watched you jeal-
ously enough, | hope, to make sure OF
that"
Felicies eyes flashed angrily.
Il cannot like him. | detest him-to
seek a defenceless, unwilling bride for
the sake of her wealth-if he were pos
sessed of all the graces l 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
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 it joins great hearts and puny
natures or otherwise. 1t is a great
evil, yet you and /, Felicie, cannot al
ter it, Your father approves of II, sees
no harm in 1t. You know how thor
ough an aristocrat he is. | have hith-
erto tried to conceal from you the
pain 1t 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"
II do not need this explanation al
least-from a child | have seen the diff
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 to cottage, nor the angry scowl
or sullen apathy which greets my faith
er's appearance" replied Felicie, grave
ly.
The countess was silent, lost in q
painful revery.
"Oh, mamma, don't think / have moi
appreciated your noble nature, YOU
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 beer
so grand and beautiful in your girl
hood"
Felicie spoke timidly, expecting the
reproof she Immediately received.
Hush. my child! | cannot listen tC
a disparaging word. He is your father
my husband l would indeed he had
more generous forbearance for the
down trodden peasant; but We are al
we must overlook each others faults.
AS If there were any fault in your
Character exclaimed Felicie warmly
sinking down into her seat again-her
excitement somewhat exhausted
"Alack, Felicie, If you knew what
constant struggling | have endured
But it is of you ! am thinking. | have
been painfully anxious concerning this
engagement, but ! 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 subdue this wllful objection
to one you have never seen, or your
happiness will be wrecked. Heaven
save you from all I have undergone"
You, mammal! exclaimed Felicie, in
quite forgetting her own
grief In pity for the storm of emotion
which the question brought to her usu-
ally calm and gentle mother
Hush said the countess. regaining
her composure with a powerful effort.
They are coming with the refreshment
tray"
The servants entered, spread out the
tiny table with a dainty repast. lighted
the scores of candles in two silver can
delabra, and vanished again.
Now, then. you must tell me about
1t, mamma" said Felieie when they
rose from the table.