Brookings weekly register. (Brookings, Brookings County, S.D.) 1898-1903, 1899-03-23

Fernard's face was turned away from
her. and it was a husky voice that
said
Truly then it is not an undeserved
retaliation that Hugo's wrongs should
be the means of debarring Count En-
lie from his dearest hopes. Did you
say you liked this Hugo?"
Liked him." repeated Violante in
differently-"yes, well enough; he was
a peasant. you know"
"Ah" said he, answering her ques-
tioning look, "perchance you have
thrust your spear into sore place. J.,
too, may be a peasant"
"You-no indeed, will stake any
thing upon it, was her earnest reply.
Take care" said he dejectedly but
truly | will own your words panied
me- Why, if Hugo was good, and nobly
bred by natures largeness Of heart and
intellect, should you speak so slight
ingly Of him as peasant? Nay, far
ther yet, why should he not be more
worthy of your heart, your hand even,
than the miserable, treacherous Count
Emile? Oh, Lady Violante, Lady Vio-
lante, heaven sends out its nobility un-
titled, and free from estate or rent roll.
Aye, and this seething. boiling, trou-
bled land, is tending toward worthier
recognition of it's peasant Hugos, wher-
ever they may be. The coarse blouse
hides hearts as true and warm, nay, a
thousand fold more worthy. than beat
beneath the broidered vestments that
glisten in the court levees OF that
heartless Austrian Queen, who has no
thought of the wrongs and appressions
of groaning Francew
Lady Violante heard him as II in a
dream. Perhaps you are right" said
she, sorrowfully. II have often grieved
over the hopeless fate that seemed
thrust upon one-half of the land, while
the other half received and enjoyed ali
its honors and pleasures. But today
my own griefs press too heavily to al
low much thought for others. Ny faith
er is very angry with me. | can only
appease him by wronging my own con-
science-and then again his insinua-
tions, so cruel and sarcastic, they burn
my ears even yet"
What insinuations?" demanded Ber-
nard with vehemence.
she dropped her eyes, and the color
on her cheeks mounted even to her
forehead. He watched her silently a
moment, and then burst forth vehe-
mently-
Il see, | see. My lord, the Count, Is
tired OF his guest! He would withhold
from me the light of your presence. All
ha, Go you doubt whence comes the
suggestion? it is like the bastard jeal'
ousy of Count Emile. Take my word
for it, Lady Violante, it was he who
prompted your fathers words"
Violante was weeping bitterly.
He approached her, and stood look,
ing down upon her bowed head and
| fearful face. with stern self-control
When suddenly reaching down to lay
his trembling hand upon hers, he whis
| pered-
Did he say you were learning tC
love me?"
| Closer still the head was bowed upor
| the fair white arms. but no reply. Soft
er and more thrilling were the tremu
| lous tones
Did you deny it, Lady Violante?"
Fresh sobs, but no words He ben
down till he had fallen on his knees
and softly drew away the clingins
hands.
Lady Violante, this once, give {
drop of water to thirsty wretch, /;
ray of hope to brighten life of strug
gle; If / were worthy, in name and es
tate, and character, to ask the priceless
blessing, would you love me?"
| ITO BE CoNrINuED)