The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1900-05-23


"Send this telegram at once" he
said.
Andre made move TO follow the
servant from the room, but after n
glance at his father restrained him
self. The old man waited until tho
servant had had timo TO leave the
house and then retired TO his study,
leaving Andre alone.
The unhappy young man sat think
ing OF his misery for some time. The
words OF Noemie spokod tho night be-
fore came back TO him; she had been
30 full Of confidence, while he was
doubtful enough OF his fathers MP.
proval.
"Whon he knows how much we
love each other he will consent" she
had said.
"But il he refuses?" Andre had
asked.
"Then IL must be good-by for us,
because [ can never Lot you ruin your.
self for me-" And in spite Of plead
ings and arguments she had remained
firm.
"Poor Noemio," he thought. "How
will she feel when she reads the tele.
gram? And her Aunt Rose, who con-
sidered the marriage already made.
She used TO toll us when we feared 60
tell father that we had no cause to
worry; that everything would como
out rs we wanted il; that she had a
magic charm which she could apply.
If necessary, at tho last minute, aud
that charm secret. What will she
say now? Why not 60 and find ont
and give her n chance TO try it?" An.
DIRE sprang up, seized his hat and ran
from the house.
swell, said Noemie, "what nows? ?"
Sho had not yet received tho tele.
gram.
"The very worst, said Andre. "He
refuses and threatens TO disinherit
me. But, dearest, you will marry me
anyway. can find something TO do,
and we will ut least have each other"
Hoomie was very much in love, and
bor good resolutions began TO waver
before the strength of her lovers de-
sire. They were talking despondent-
ly when the door opened and pretty
elderly woman entered the room.
Dear me, how unhappy you lookp'
she said. "What is tho matter?"
"M. Delvalley has refused his con-
sent" said Noemie.
'lndeedl Well, it would be funny
If IL were not so sad"
"Aunt Rose, how cnn you?" mur-
INJURED Noemie.
at is rather serious, madame"
said Andre. "He has sent telegram,
but 1T has not come yet"
But still Aunt Rose smiled.
"Stay here until come back, An
drol j am going to try my little fairy
charm as last resort"
All afternoon the two young people
sat disconsolately together, waiting
for tho telegram aud for Aunt Rose.
What had become of his fathers dis
patch? Andre could not Imagine. At
last, long after the time it should havo
come. the maid entered with the for.
midable envelope. Noemie took IL
and was about to open it when Andre
said:
'"Tenr il up without reading it. We
know what it says"
81 want to sec how il looks" re-
piled Noemie.
AS she read wave of color swept
across her face.
ANDRE" she cried, "there is somo
Listen to this:
"'I have the honor to ask the. hand
Of Mile. Noemie Durand for my son
Andre. will coll at your convent.
ence. Respectfully,
"'DELvALLEY.'
els it possible that Aunt Rose was
cried Audre, beside him.
self with joy.
"It must be that. But what means
did she employ? What is her secret?"
1t was a long time before they found
out, and then Andre overheard q con.
versation not meant for her ears.
81 was right, was / not, to keep my
faith in your good heart, and to inter-
cept that first dispatch before I went
to see you?" asked Aunt Rose, in O
voice that Andre had never heard her
make so tender and soft in tone.
"Ah, Rose" responded NJ. Delval-
ley in a voice stranger still to the
listener, show could know that the
girl Of Andres choice was your niecep
To think that l was about to separate
them, as your father separated us, be-
cause / was then poor-that they
would have suffered all that suffered
in giving you up, and in thinking of
you all these years! And now that
we are united at last, you will not re-
fuse"-but suddenly Andre realized
that he was listening and crept softly
away.