The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1897-01-15
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CHAPTER II.-(CoNTINuEp,

but you cannot imagine how keenly
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
10 not think am wrong"
mot wrong, my precious one, put
like the imprisoned bird beating itself
uselessly against the bars, very uh-
wise. What is unavoidable must DC
accepted with the best grace possible
Spare yourself unavailing agony"
"And if could help it" was Felicies
indignant reply.
cat least, my love, you might try to
ook upon it in a pleasanter light. VINO
knows but the marquis may prove your
deal hero? For am sure there is NO
real love. have watched you Jeai-
nusly enough, hope, to make sure OF
hat"
Felicie's eyes flashed angrily.
II cannot like him. l detest hlm-tc
seek a defenceless, unwilling bride fol
he sake of her wealth-if he were pos
sessed of all the graces l should abhol
him"
Now, my daughter is unreasonable
was the mild remonstrance.
But, mamma, is not this way OF con-
tracing marriage barbarous and re-
yolting?"
Eyes, 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 I'M
worthy; but we rate rank with rank
whether it joins great hearts and puRy
aatures or otherwise. 1t is a grea
evil, yet you and l, Felicie, cannot al
Ter it. Your father approves OF it, see'
no harm in it. You know how thor
ough an aristocrat he is. have hlth
erto tried to conceal from you INT
pain it gave me to see his lack of sym
pathy with those below us. 1t seem!
the time has come now when your hap
piness demands a better understand
ing"
II do not need this explanation a
Ieast-from a child l have seen the dill
ference in your care for our people
and my fathers. l have not always
failed to notice the grateful glance O
adoring love which follows you from
cottage to cottage, nor the angry scoWl
or sullen apathy which greets my faith
ers appearance" replied Felicie, grave
iy.
The countess was silent, lost in
painful revery.
"Oh, mamma, don't think have no
appreciated your noble nature, YOU
generous dellcacy, that would never
hint to me, nor allow me to refer to
my fathers failings. Do you know
I have often wondered how you cans
10 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! l cannot listen to
disparaging word. He is your father
my husband. l would indeed he had
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
sinking down into her seat again-her
excitement somewhat exhausted.
"Alack, Felicie, if you knew what
constant struggling 1 have endured
But 1t is of you l am thinking. ! have
been painfully anxious concerning this
engagement; but l 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 wilful objection
to one you have never seen, or your
happiness will be wrecked. Heaven
save you from all have undergone"
"You, mammal! exclaimed Felicie, in
establishment, quite forgetting her own
grief in pity for the storm of emotion
which the question brought to her usu-
ally calm and gentle mother.
flush" 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 dainty repast, lighted
the scores of candles in two silver can
delabra, and vanished again.
NOW, then. you must tell me about
it, mammal said Felicie when they
rose from the table.