Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-11-20
CHAPTER |.

true scion of the old French noblesse,
with fine features and clear, pale com
plexion. There had been viyacity and
brightness, too, in those brown eyes, but
the ulster was gone now, and there was
left only the calm expression of resigna-
ton which follows life Of troubles molly
borne. She had lived sixty-four years
in the world
Her father and mother the Marquis
and Marquise lie Montolcu had heen in
high favor at the court Of ! lis the Six
teenth They wc.e proud handsome
aristOcrats, and when the Revolution
came with its fearful horrors. they were
forced to fly for their lives. When they
reached England they were penniless and
con. pelled 10 earn their bread
The marquis gave lessons in singing.
and the marqnise made little money bg
selling her paintings. A kind-hearted no
bleman. who had known them in former
days, allowed them fifty pounds a year:
and with this and the frui Of their own
exertions, they managed TO exist. Three
years later daughter was born to them.
whom they named Marie Antoniette IN
sffectionate and reyerential memory Of
their martyred queen. From her earliest
infancy She was deeply mbued with the
sad spirit of the time; and the nnvaTying
melancholy of her parents produced
strong effect upon her. She WAS nat
urally bright and yiyacious but the at
mosphere Of constant sadness was infec-
tious
When she was seventeen years old her
beloved father died, and from that time
all her energies were strained TO provide
for her heart-broken and widowed moth
err. Five years later the .narquise died
also, and Marie was thrown on the world,
literally penniless and triendless. Then
all at once the nobleman who had be-
friended her parents came forward and
offered her home in his house. in spite
OF the circumstances OF his wife. who
was keenly alive to the imprudence of
bringing beautiful young girl uGder the
same roof with her grown-up sons.
For a time Marie Autoinette was hap
py, and then ,ame the most bitter trial
Of her life. She went out again as a
goyerness, and travelled abroad. At the
age of thirty-five she went into Sir How
ard Champions family. to educate his
daughters. and remained with them
twelve years. The elder daughter made
a brilliant match, and the younger eloped
with a gentleman farmer There being
thus no further occasion for her services
she was dismissed; but Sir Howard. be
ing a liberal although arrogant and des
potic man, settled an annuity OF hun
bred pounds on her for life On this, aud
the interest Of what she had saved dur
ing her long years Of teaching. she lived;
g.,
away much. Hers was grand life of
love, cf charity and of seIf-abnegation
Unsecured by her troubles, unimhittered
by her loneliness. she was the true picture
of a gentle. sympathzing and patient
woman.
Sir Howard cursed his younger daugh-
ter solemn'y on the Bible--from which he
erased her name aud commanded that it
nigh: never be uttered in his presence
zsain The whole household were awe
stricken, and erept about silently and
fearfully. Madame dc Montolieu was
heart broken.
Winifred bitterly regretted her false
step. She loved the world and the fash
ion, and SO the comparatively humble life
she now led was gall and NORWOOD to
her. Her husband was fond of her, but
he ehafed under her constant fretful re-
grets: she quarreled with his family, re-
fused 10 notice them. and made him bit
ter, contemptuous little speeches, which
drove him in anger from her presence,
The only link left 10 her between the
present and the past was Madame de
Montolieu who came to live in a small
cottage 70 r her. and was with her con.
stantiy. but poor Winifred fretted night
and day AZ her loss Of caste and became
thin and i'll; and when her little girl was
born she died.
For some years little Wlnifred was
brought up and taken care Of by her faith
er's sister; but VII n she was eight years
old Miss Eyre married. and her father
was somewhat perplexed what to do with
her. Madame de Montolieu offered TO
educate her. and Mr.. Eyre gladly accept
e. the offer
She received a complete education from
Madame de Men,olieu who loved her as a
daughter. and had brought her up with
tender care and watchtulness She spoke
French perfectly. was a good musician
and sang as swcctly as nightingale.
Madame de Montolieu had devoted great
time and care to perfccting her ACCOM-
pllshments, hoping that, when She grew
up. Sir Howard might telent and give her
an opportunity of entering into so, lety.
for which she was eminently fitted But
the baronet and his whole family sternly
persisted in ignoring her, and it was a
very bitter grief and humiliation 20 poor
Wiuifred.
II seemed so cruelty unjust. Why
should Flora Champion her COUSIN. and
tlattered, and received eV rywhcre, while
shu. who longed 50 ardentiy foc the same
advantage, was compelled 10 live unnotic.
ed in a farm house: Her father had riv-
en- her a pretty little pony and carriage.
in which she took great pleasure. She
would have liked to ride rs well. but her
father could not afford, ne said. To keep
two horses for her. and had given her a
chance Of riding or driving; size preferred
the former, bat chose the latter. rcnem-
bering that il was pleasure which her
dear madame could share
Mr.. Eyre was very fond % his dangh
ter, and moreover. exceedingly proud ot
her. He desired intensely for her th,
advantages Of wealth and station. persoa
ally indifferent though be was to them
His greatest truple, his most bitter mor
tiheatiou ia life. was that her sraudfAth
rr would not acknowledge her. Tor hjnt
self he did not care, he had no wish (,
rise from the position with which his fore
fathers had been coutnnted. Once. n
his instjgation, Madame ie NouTolieu ha,
Mentioned WjnIreJ 10 SIR Howard NJ
angry flush darkeued lis brow as h'
said, sternly
Madame, feel no interest in hearn,