The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-12-01
DAWN Or The
AGE OF LOVE.
BY MICHAEL CORDAY.

She was still but Il young girl. in all the
budding grace and fairness of her 10
summers. Marcel had attained his eight
eenth year, an orphan, whom chance had
thrown In Milate's path, and the latter
had been instantly struck by the boys
talent and persuaded him to study art
Jaime and Marcel loved each other
with youthful fervor and absolute ten
derness, which was both ardent and dc
| lightful, but where desire did not enter.
A project was thus awakened in the
| fathers heart and so forcibly impressed
| itself on his mind that it speedily became
a species of consolation for all the agony
| that he was compelled to endure. He
! &ished Marcs,i aynl 3Gntue 10 marry. be
l Wesired % ur1tte the child OF bis Hesh TO
| the one of his intellect and thereby to be
| revivifed in them, and he passionately
longed for the realization of his desires.
| He felt that his days were numbered,
| tnasmuch as the crisis in his illness was
| fast approaching. the attacks were more
| frequent and of greater duration, and he
trembled Mt the thought that he might
not live to execute his unique idea and
| desire. Then his morbid condition came
| to his aid and suggested the following
| stratagem: Marcel and Janine had at
| tanned the age when the law would per-
| NIT them to marry even If nature and
| reason had not yet sufficiently matured
them, and they could therefore be united
by the sacred rites of the church. and
yet their positions could remain unchang-
cd until the time when they all would
have considered 1t propitious for the un-
ion had he not been menaced by this
| frightful fear. The grim monster of
death could then assail him, and he
should disappear with the certainty Of
! having left happiness behind him.
Milate accordingly revealed his plan to
the three persons that he so tenderly
| cherished. At first they revolted at the
thought of there being any necessity to
take such a hasty step. But Nine. Mi
late invariably bent to her husbands s
will, and the youthful couple were sway
cd equally by anxiety and delight. The
double ceremony of church and state was
therefore quietly performed, and the
painter assisted, although in great agony.
Then, as If he had strained his powers
and endurance to the utmost limit, he
J died eight days after the date of the un-
Ion he had effected.
| After the first pangs of her sorrow had
been allayed Nine. Milate was troubled
as to how and when she should authorize
!, the young people TO begin their new life.
"What moment or day would be the
; | auspicious one?" she unused. and how
might she make 1t clear to them? Mar
riage regulated and foresaw so much. but
: this was an exceptional case, and she
! keenly felt the responsibility of her posi-
tion.
She consulted those who had been her
husbands most trustworthy friends. hop,
4 ing thus to come to wise decision. But
some, austere in their judgment. spoke OF
the young couple waiting still for the sue
ceeding ten years. Others consented tC
reducing the period to seven, five oil
three, as If it were question of military
, service. Some who thought but Of senti
ment urged the speedy union, and they
cited Daphne and Chloe as examples
There were still more who affirmed that
all depended on their dispositions. The
friends who had fondly dreamed OF theil
son marrying Janine Milate were slyly
revengeful and said. "Your daughter i:
so delicate" or at is running grea
risk" After these various consultation
! | the painters widow was more undecided
than before.
Then her thoughts reverted to Marcel
and she reflected as to confiding her anx
ieties to him. She could question him a
| to his opinions on this serious subject. |
| they were reasonable and worthy of ap
! probation. she could intrust the future t
= him. She could enter into n sort of com
pact with him that he would undertake
to execute. He could swear. and sh
would thus be relieved of all surveillanc
and concern. However, she was ever dis
= payed over the abnormal character o
sbe sfsuatsn and fearfni OF opeu
- broachfng the subject to her in-law
: Thus she waited, looking TO and yet fea'
full of what chance might offer and lon
ing for some sudden inspiration tha
would be advantageous to her childre
and at the same time make all railler
impossible.
Marcel and Jaime meanwhile were 81
premely happy The young painter us,
the easel ana brushes of his master an
worked In Janine's presence, while sh
would occupy herself with some embroil
cry. Their repasts and promenades wei
always taken in each others society. wit
Mime. Milate ever near AT hand. discree
but vigilant. Then, when evening cam
and at about II o'clock, Marcel woul
regain the little room on an ad1oinin
street which he had occupied since b
marriage.
And thus their existence passed fraugl
with infinite happiness and so strong
confidence in the future that words seen
G ed useless while Nine. Milate would {
- lently long that it might thus be indet
nitely protracted.
A year passed in this way, and then
difference became apparent to the mot
o er, difference which gave her an unce
- tain tranquility. Janine and Marcel we
verging into maturity. One day, wht
returning to the studio after brief a
sence, she surprised them In each other
arms. with their lips pressed closely
gether. She then realized that the
nouement was near at hand. The uninte
rupted surveillance fatigued her an
moreover, now seemed out of plaC
Should she simply close her eyes, 81
mused. but in that case some dissimul
ton would be necessary. She would ha
to ignore the truth. and in that way h
misapprehensiOn might be prolonge
Then followed time when she long
- that the young people might take the IL
tiative themselves. Her unuttered pra
er was hearkened to. for on II winte
night, when Il snowstorm was raging
riously without. Jaime took compassi
upon poor Marcel who was lamentah
preparing to depart. She opened t
sash, then quickly closed it and mt
INJURED:
at is too cold for you to leave tonight
Thus it was that Jaime and Mare
had attained the age to love.-Translat
| 81 ;,,C