Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1900-05-11
AUNT ROSES SECRET.
DELvALLEY rose, furious, bis eye.


take place." be said.
"And swear 1t SHALL" cried Andre, with
only shade less OF determination in his
face and voice.
But the old man paid no attention to his
sons words, and continued:
"It is the most outrageous thing | ever
heard Of. A boy whose education has been
what yours has, upon whom no expense has
been spared, who for 20 years has been my
constant thought, to be utterly lacking in
every feeling of gratitude. Just at the
very moment when l have made plans for
your future you announce to me that you in
tend to marry the girl of your choice! And
what choicel A girl without pennyl"
"But you do not believe money to be tn.
only consideration in marriage, do your
said Andre, striving to be calm. ut seems
to me that happiness enters in somewhere,
and If can be happy with no one but Noe
mie-"
"Enough!"
The tone in which this word was pro-
nounced convinced Andre that his fathers
decision was inflexible. He was accustomed
to bow to the will of despotic father, just
as he had seen his mother yield until her
death.
The next day Andre returned to the
charge.
Il believe II you knew what an unhappy
night / passed, father"
Enough, say" cried the old man, not
allowing him to complete his sentence. 81
tell you l will never give my consent to the
marriage A girl without a pennyl"
81 would not ask for your consent at all
il she had not refused to marry me without
it," exclaimed Andre, hotly.
"0h, you would not!" NJ. Delvalley
laughed "And pray, where would you live
and what would you do to support your
wife?'
II could find something" replied the
young man, in tone which made his father
say. more gently than he had yet spoken:
81 am convinced that this girl and her
relations are after your fortune. You met
them at summer hotel. They found out
who you were and thought you would be a
good catch and have proceeded to catch
YOU"
'If you would only listen to me, father, I
could convince you OF Noemie's sincerity"
Without replying to his son NJ. Delvalley
went on: "As you can't take care of your
self, ] must take care Of you. Where do
these Durands live?"
"No. 81 Rue Nolet."
hue NOltl! hnu you say LneV are not
after your money!" NJ. Delvalley said, as he
eft his son. He returned in few moments,
n paper in his hand, from which he read in
| loud voice:
| "Mme. Durand, q Rue Nollet:-I formal.
| y refuse my consent to the marriage Of my
son Andre and your daughter, and inform
YOU that If the event takes place shall alb
Solutely disinherit my SON.
"DELVALLEY."
! He rang the bell and u servant appeared.
Send this telegram at once" he said.
Andre made move to follow the servant
from the room. but after glance at his
father restrained himself. The old man
waited until the servant had had time to
cave the house and then retired to his study,
eaving Andre alone.
The unhappy young man sat thinking of
lis misery for some time. The words of
Noemie spoken the night before came back
0 him; she had been SO full of confidence,
while he was doubtful enough of his fathers
epproval.
when he knows how much we love each
,ther he will consent" she had said
''But II he refuses?" Andre had asked.
Then It must be good-by for us, because
| can never Let you ruin yourself for me-"
Poor Noemie," he thought. "How will
he feel when she reads the telegram? And
er Aunt Rose, who considered the mar
rage already made. She used to tell us when
we feared to tell father that we had no cause
0 worry; that everything would come out as
We wanetd 1t; that she had magic charm
which sbe could apply, if necessary, at the
lst minute, and that charm secret What
will she say now! Why not go and find out
and give her q chance to try I'll" Andre
prang up, seized his hat and ran from the
house.
"Well," said Noemie, "what news?"
She had not yet received the telegram.
"The very worst" said Andre. "He re.
fuses and threatens to disinherit me. But,
learest, you will marry me anyway. can
ind something to do, and we viii at least
have each other"
Noemie was very much in love, and her
GOOD resolutions began 10 waver before the
strength OF her lovers desire. They were
talking despondently when the door opened
and pretty elderly woman entered the
room.
Dear me, how unhappy you look!" she
said What is the matter?"
IN. Delvslley has refused his consent"
said Noemie.
'Tndsedl Well, IL would be funny If it
we're not 20 sad"
"Aunt Rose, how can you" murmured
Noemis.
Stay here until como back, Andre! !
am going to try my little fairy charm as
last resort"
All afternoon the two young people sat
disconsolstely together, waiting for the tele-
gram and for Aunt Rose. What had be-
come Of his fathers dispatch. Andre could
not imagine. At last, long after the time it
should have come, the maid entered with the
formidable envelope. Noemie took 1t and
was about to open it when Andre said:
Tear it up without reading 1t. We know
what it says"
'I want to see how it looks" replied
Noemie.
As she read wave of color swept across
her face.
Andre" she cried, "there 10 some mis-.
take. Listen to this:
4" I have the honor to ask the hand of
Nile. Noemie Dursnd for my son Andre. ]
will call at your convenience. Respectfully,
"DELVALLEY.'
rs it possible that Aunt Rose was sue.
cessful!" cried Andre, beside himself with
joy.
ut must be that. But what means did
she employ? What is her secretP
It was long time before they found out,
and then Andre overheard conversation
not meant for his ears.
81 was right, was not, TO keep my faith
in your good heart, and to intercept that
first dispatch before l went to see your"
asked Aunt Rose, in a voice that Andre had
never heard her make SO tender and soft in
tone.
"Ah, Rose!" responded NJ. Delvalley in
voice stranger stifl to the listener, "how
could | know that the girl Of Andres choice