Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-08-07

Indeed they have, sir, beer very hap
! by ones But, alas, the thought has
often been with me of late must they
all end in misery now?''
How, -miseryY uttered the
marquis. IN establishment. What mean
Won! Do you fear that / am going to
turn you awayg
An instantaneous flash Of defiance pass
ed over the younger mans face, but he
revealed none of the feeling that had
given it birth.
"No. no. he replied, Il did not fear
that. You do not understand me. Re
member, sir that Louise st. Julien has
grown up under my care-that | have
seen each opening beauty as it has grad
ualiy expanded itself into life. and each
bud Of promise have seen blossom into
the fun rose She has now grown to be
woman Think you have seen and
known all this unmoyed? No, sir. My
/ heart has been caught in the snare Of her
charms. and am but as an outcast now,
If ! possess her not for mine own. 1ou
understand me nowY'
Brion st. Julien understood, but he
made no reply. He started when the
truth first broke upon him; and when 81
mon ceased speaking be arose 10 his
feet and commenced to pace the room,
The nephew watched him for a moment,
aud then. in a tone as soft and persuas-
i've as he could assume, he resumed:
Reflect calmly upon this, my lord. Re
member, you are growing old; your chill
dren are yet young
TOO young for this simon whisper
ed the marquis. And then | am not old.
either. | am but ffty-fve-thats ALL"
Il know" pursued the nephew; ''but
Louise is not yourg. Her mind is that
of a woman"
But you are one year over and above
double her own age" suggested the par
ent; almost old enough-ay, fully old
enough TO be her father"
And yet | am not old, n1r have | yet
reached my prime; only ive-and-thirty
years But what Of all this? Speak
plainly, sir, and let me know ,-cHr mind.
Only remember that l have nJt sought
your daughters society. has been
forced upon me, and coul2 not avoid the
result. All, sir. | cannot think you win
refuse me-"
Now, to speak the truth for the mar
quis~-he had not the fullest confidence in
Simon Lobois. He knew that his nephew
would work well for pay, but he had long
doubted the truth of his heart-the pure
ness of his motives; and what was more,
he had moments when he almost feared
him This latter emotion was a sort of
dim, vague working of mind, without
point and without shape; but yet 1t
worked, and had i1s influence.
Simon" he said, when ] left France.
left all the rotten, useless usages Of
society behind me, and here | resolved to
form a world of my own. First among
the miserable falsehoods Of old society,
meant to cast away that plan which
makes the marriage OF the child 4 work
of the parent. When my child is old
enough to marry. she is old enough to Sc
lect her own husband; and until she is
old enough to use her OWL judgment in
that respect she is not oil! enough to per-
form the duties Of a wife Upon the mar
'riage Of my children may depend the
whole veal or woe of their earthly fu-
ture. Such being the case. l must leave
them to choose for themselves. only hop
ing that they will seek my counsel. and
listen to my advice, so far as my judg-
ment is good"
What am | to understand by this.
STRIP asked Simon, not able to conceal his
ehagrin.
simply that Louise may choose her
own husband
'But you will exercise some authority?
YIN will speak in my behalf2"
First. | would know it the girl chooses
you
But -but-you might influence her
choice"
Not now, Simon
yet you will speak one word?'
why so soon: Louise is young yet
Why. bless you. man. there's some time
yet-some years-ere she'll be of lawful
age"
Not quite year, sir"
II mean ere SHE'LL be able to do bust
ness as an heiress. Let the matter rest
now
mo, mol cannot / cannot live in
doubt. must know what my fate Is TO
be"
"Bat what is to be gained by this
hasteg Louise must be free yet. unless
she may reciprocate yoar own love"
"Ay," cried Simon. holly and passion
ateiy. and speaking now without thought
or consideration ''buS how long Is this
10 be so: How long nefore this new
aedged popinjay may seize her with the
FIRE of his eye, aud influence her to love
him? He is here, and he is likely to
stay here while"
Simon Lobois" spoke the marquis;
sternly and quickly, 'you know not what
you say. Beware, sir. or / may tell you
a truth that shall CRATE upon thine ear.
Speak, sir-speak," uttered the
nephew. still under the influence of pas
sion let ME hear all
Listen" Interrupted the marquis, and
YOU shall hear. took you to my home
penniless. Only remember ycu this: the
Count ST Denis was one among the few
very few, trne friends ever had aud his
only son has inherited an his fathers
good qualities. all his nohlchess of soul
and an his virtues And mark me, love
Goupart Mt. Denis. Yet | will speak one
word more siDce you have brought the
subject up; and hope this may be the
last time that need shall arise of abiding
TO the subject When | came here. you
begged that | would take you with NE.
offered you a salary OF four thousand
francs a year in money besides your iiv-
ing 10 come and keep the bare account
ot my business. and three thousand more
TO teach my children, Thus far you have
done your duty Wen, Have ! not done
mineE"
There was something in the look, the
tone and the words OF the speaker. that
struck a transient feeling of awe TO 81
mons soul. aud in mcment he conceal