Smyrna times., 1900-04-25

doubtful enough of his fathers an
proval.
When he knows how much we love
each other, he will consent" she had
said.
But if he refuses?" Andre had ask
ed.
"Then it must be goodby for us. be-
cause l can never let you ruin yourself
for me-" And in spite of pleadings
and arguments she had remained firm.
Poor NOemie!' he thought. "How
will she feel when she reads the tele-
gram? And her Aunt Rose, who con-
sldered the marriage already made.
She used to tell us when we feared to
tell father that we had no cause to wor-
ry, that everything would come out as
we wanted it, that she had a magic
charm which she could apply, if neces-
sary, at the last minute, and that charm
q secret. What will she say now?
Why not go and find out and give her
a chance to try it?" Andre sprang up.
seized his hat and ran from the house.
WELL" said Noemie, what news?"
She had not yet received the tele-
gram.
"The very worst" said Andre. HE
refuses and threatens to disinherlt me.
But, dearest, you will marry me any
way. l can find something to do, and
we will at least have each other"
Noemie was very much in love, and
her good resolutions began to wayer
before the strength of her lovers de-
sire. They were talking despondently
when the door opened, and a pretty,
| elderly woman entered the room.
Dear me, how unhappy you look"
she said. ''What is the matter?"
an. Delvalley has refused his con-
sent" said Noemie.
"Indeed! Well, it would be funny if
it were not so sad"
Aunt Rose. how can your murmur-
ed Noemie
1T is rather serious, madame" said
Andre. HE has sent a telegram, but
it has not come yet"
! But still Aunt Rose smiled.
"Stay here until come back, Andre!
1 am going to try my little fairy charm
as last resort"
All afternoon the two young people
sat discOnsolately together, waiting for
the telegram and for Aunt Rose. What
had become of his fathers dispatch ?
Andre could not imagine. At last, long
after the time it should have come, the
maid entered with the formidable en-
velOpe. NOemie took 1t and was sa3etHt
| to open 1t when Andre said:
'Tear it up without reading it. We
know what it says"
Il want to see how it looks" replied
Noemie.
AS she read a wave of color swept
across her face.
ANDRE" she cried, "there is some
mistake! Listen to this:
81 have the honor to ask the hand of Mile
Noemie Durand for my Andre. | will call al
your convenience. Respectfully,
''DELvALLEY"
''Is it possible that Aunt Rose has
succeeded" cried Andre, beside him
self with joy.
''It must be that. But what means
did she employ-what is her secretY'
1t was a long time before they fount
out. and then Andre overhead a con
versatiOn not meant for his ears.
81 was right. was | not, to keep m!
faith in your s'od heart and to inter
cept that first dispatch before l wen
to see yOu?" asked Aunt Rose in {
voice that Andre had never heard he
make so soft and tender in tone.
"Ah, Rose" responded NJ. Delvalle.
in voice stranger still to the listener
''how could know that the girl of An
dre's choice was your niece? To thinl
that | was about to separate them a
your father separated us. because
was then poor; that they would hav,
suffered all that | suffered in givin;
you up and in thinking of you al
these years. And now that we ar
united at last you will rot refuse
But suddenly Andre realized that h
was listening and crept softly away
Chicago News.