The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-02-07

--~ '-.s u,iii ~idow. Jnougn suitors
Tor her hand had not been lacking.
among whom none was so<devoted as
the Comte de Vaugirard. No rebuff
could daunt his ardor He had propos-
ed and been refused. yet persisted in
his suit. She was touched by his peril
nacity and had grown to depend upon
his continuous attentions.
AS jeanette left her, after q passing
regret that her little maid should al-
ready have had taste of the bitter
sweet fruit of the tree Of life. she dis
missed the subject from her mind.
Vaugirard had returned to Paris. and
she would ask him who the blue eyed
roue could be who had made love to
jeanette while she took care of the
duchess children. for he knew the
Saverins and had visited st. Rene.
with this reflection the marquise
glanced at the clock. eyes, in a few
minutes Leon will be here" Her eyes
grew tender, and she sighed as she took
up book and reseated herself on the
stiT backed little sofa. But the book
remained unread. 1t rested lightly In
her lap while she glanced around the
salon. Yes. the red and gold vase was
filled with fresh flowers, aud the wax
candles shed 9 soft light from their
brackets on the wall. The spinet stood
open, with songs, on the music rack.
Between rare Turkish rugs the polish
ed parquet glinted. The bric-a-brac
and pictures showed the taste of an
artist.
The marQuise cast a satisfied glance
around. ALI was in readiness for the
expected guest. but was she? "uow
much easier to say Yes to man one
likes than constantly to refuse him."
she thought. "And why DO hesitate?
What is 1t fear? Is not Leon all a
woman could desire, and lie loves me,
but-how well? Does he mean oil he
says? Is his heart absolutely mine?
All, who knows? If married him and
found him false, dare not think what
would be the end. To be deceived, and
by the man I trust! No! We both
could not breathe the same air after
that! Does not he ask for all have to
give, and shall not 7 then have all lie
has to give? Love for love, truth for
truth. faith for faith-or nothingp'
"M. lie Comte de Vaugirard," an
nounced Pierre as a handsome man
somewhat over 80 years Of age enter
ed. He was dressed in dark maroon
velvet, with pale yellow satin waist
coat. Fine old lace fell over his wrists,
and in his jabot, on his fingers, sword
hilt and shoe buckles diamonds SPAR
kled. His three cornered hat he press
ed close to his breast as he bowed low.
MY fair marquise, am. as ever,
your slave"
'Let me set you free them
''But love my chains. To others I
may vaunt my pride, but at your feet
I am all humility"
She made no reply. but her eyes look
ed ut him with affection. Vaugirard
knelt before her, and, taking one Of
her hands, he kissed it fervently. "a m
I to kneel forever in vain?" he pleaded
Rise, III. le Comte," she said hastily.
"You are not IN actor to play q pas
sionate rofe."
"And yet my passion, alas, is but too
real! love you, and you alone"
"Fer how long?"
until eternity?'
'If I married you," said the mar
quise sadly, "and you proved unfaith-
full 1t would break my heart"
"You break mine with these doubts"
She held out her hand to him. s"Then
will try to Danish them"
"Oh, my love! May hopeW
"Wait, Leon, until tomorrow"
"Then?"
iAnd then l Will listen to you. Now
be seated again, like an ordinary NOR
tai. Come, you must have glass of
Tokay."
"Your words are as wine to me-" said
the count gayly. His face flushed with
pleasure. The goal seemed near. The
prize he had for years sought so eager
ly was within his grasp.
"How did you spend this morning?" ;
asked the marquise as she pulled the
bell rope.
II rode out near Issy. The .Jasamines
live there. They are related to the
Saverins. you know"
"Ah. that reminds me. You were |
with them last spring. How lovely st. |
Rene must be in May! 1t should have
inspired you with many poem"
'"The inspiration was lacking, as you |
were not there"
"But Gid none Of tie other gre-ts |;
write poetry?"
J mo one was there while was visit
ing st. Rene"
"No one?.' echoed the marqulse. much !
startled.
~ was the only friend enjoying their
hospitality at the time"
"What! No gay damsels or proud !
seigneErs to dispute with you the role |
of favored guest?"
'There was no one." said vauglrard.
at. the agitation in her voice.
"Did Nine. Ia Marquise rIng?" asked
Pierre, entering.
"Some Tokay for M. le Comte, and"
with slight pause, "let my little maid
serve It"
Pierre bowed and left.
did you hear Of other guests at st.
Rene" asked the count, reverting to
the subject and troubled by the man
ner Of the marquise.