The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1901-11-26

lack of fortune. Nine. Rousselin gave
her niece's youth as the ground of her re-
| fusal, but in reality she was obeying the
suggestion of her son, whom Madeleine's
obvious attachment to his rival had made
more furious than ever.
And now the story becomes dramatic.
Edmond remained in the country during
half of the winter, his love only increased
by obstacles, until he was forced to choose
between two plans submitted to him by
his father. He must either return to
Paris or accept a colonial post which was
offered to him. At all events, he must
leave the spot, and forthwith.
Madeleine on her return from church
one Sunday found a note in her muff.
There were only a few passionate lines,
in which Edmond assured her of his love
and begged for a meeting in which she
could tell him whether it was returned or
not If she loved him, he would wait for
her; if not, he would expatriate himself,
efface himself forever. But he must have
an answer, if only word. He would
steal into her garden that evening, con-
ceal himself behind the big snowman
which the gardeners sons had erected,
and there wait patiently for her - for
hours, if necessary. If she did not come
at all, it would mean no." and he would
go.
He carried out his programme, but the
snowman did not conceal him from the
sharp eyes of a servant, who reported the
matter to Louis Rousselin.
"Hiding, you say?" Louis asked.
eyes, sir; behind the snowman, like his
shadow, opposite the house, which he is
watching as if expecting some one. At
first l thought he was a thief, but on
coming nearer / recognized him. What
shall dor
Nothing. You may 60"
"Ah, my fine fellow" Louis said to
himself, $50 you come and put yourself In
my hands, do your"
Roussein was on very good terms
with himself that evening. A successful
boar hunt and an excellent luncheon had
conspired to make him more animated
than usual. There was wicked light in
his eyes, the reflection of a diabolical
thought that had crossed his brain. He
went up stairs, musing. At the first land
ing he stopped and stood watching the
door of Madeleines room. He suspected
that she knew who was hiding behind the
snowman.
Assuming a careless air and whistling,
he approached a collection of weapons
hanging on the wall and took down gun.
He was trying the lock when Madeleine
appeared.
"Beastly weather for a walk, Made
leine," he said.
Madeleine stopped in confusion. After
long conflict with herself her tender
compassion for Edmond, combined with
the fear of losing him forever, had decid-
ed her to go to the rendezvous, and now
she found herself confronted by her de-
tested cousin.
''You had better take wrap, If you
must CO." sneered Louis; "overshoes, too,
would not be amiss for a tramp in the
snow"
"What makes you think l am going
out?"
"The bright CLEAN in your pretty eyes,
the rich color of your cheeks and the VIC
lent beating of your heart-I can almost
hear it. But you will be very foolish to
run the risk of taking cold in the off
chance of finding lover out there in the
snow. 1t is too cold a night for lovers;
they would be chilled. You won't find
any, take my word for it."
Rousselin, who was getting good deal
of enjoyment out of his cousins embar-
rassment and modification, threw open
window which overlooked the snowclad
garden.
"There is nobody" he said, absolutely
nobody-except the snowman. He isn't
in love with you, is he? What splendid
target he would make, with the light
from the window falling on him and ev-
erything else black"
He played with his gun, slyly watching
and enjoying the look of terror that over
spread Medicines face.
''That fellow has been an eyesore too
long" he added. 81 think will put
bullet through him. Bet you l hit him In
the head at the first shot,"
'Louis, do not shoot, l beg of you,"
Madeleine cried impulsively.
''Why not? Just for the fun of the
thing"
Poor Madeleine could scarcely speak
distinctly in her excitement and despair.
1.-THE noise," she stammered. "The re-
port-so late in the evening. 1t might
brighten some one"
'Whom? My mother will not hear it,
and you are forewarned Are you afraid
of soaring the servants?"
"Please, Louis, l beseech you"'
sparrow-only a snowman
"But filthy chance-there should be
some one
''In the garden, at this hour? A thief,
perhaps? All the better 1t will be kill
ing two birds with one stone. However,
can point a gun, hope, and intend to
hit the snowman alone - right in the
heart. Here goes"
Sha nrd and urocnod no
gun, exclaiming:
"No, no; you shall not shoot"
''Then there is some one there?"
"Yes."
"Your lover?'
81 do not know" Madeleine retreat
ed in confusion, dreadfully shamed by the
confession that had been wrung from her,
but thinking, in her ignorance of the
workings of Rousselin's mind, that now
all danger was passed.
Meanwhile Rousselin stood nervousy
lingering his weapon, with his face dis
torted with rage, until another atrocious
thought came to him and made him laugh
aloud.
"a fine arrangement, truly, and a pref
ty confession" he sneered. made
moiselle has lovers who come prowling
about my house at night That is only
an additional reason why ! should exer-
else my rights. If l should wing this
lover of yours, what complaint could he
make against me? But, pshaw, it is only
fancy of yours! There is nobody be-
hind the snowman"
'There Isl
"EdmondP
"Yes."
Rousselin laughed no longer, and the
girl made no further attempt at conceal
ment.
"Well," he said, 81 give you your
CHOICE
"HowT
"Either you swear to marry me-
"Ohp
"Or l fire."
This brutal threat so shocked and over
whelmed Madeleine that she could find
no answer but sob.
SCR fire, 1 sayw
"Oh! Then-well-yesw
Rousselin closed the window.
do not cry" he said. 1--WE shall get
on well together, l have no doubt. 1t is
something. you must remember, to be
Nine. Rousselin."
That great honor however. won BIZ 80