River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1902-05-08

nothing can stl1f1e.
Not a word, not an allusion ever be-
trayed the young doctors secret; he
expected to live and die with it-maybe
die from it. Between Isabelle and him
self lay an insurmountable obstacles:
the gold heap constituting her dowry.
1t sealed Johns lips forever; humble
enough to understand the distance be-
tween the rich heiress and the poor
country doctor, too proud to allow
anyone to suspect him of covetous
| thought.
This discretion was not emulated
| by the numerous young men who in
Paris or at Pertuis whenever Isabelle
passed, followed her like swarm of
bees around a hive. The capital fur
nished it's contingent of the army of
| pretenders, as well as the provinces
and the foreigners-al degrees of So
ciety, magistrates, diplomats, fnan-
ciers, military men, landed propri-
etors, manufacturers, many ruined
noblemen, celebrated professor of
the university, two renowned artists,
rich men who wished to double their
income, young men who did nothing.
1t is usless to continue this enumera-
ton of interested aspirants. Still,
some were sincere admirers, few and
far between, but it was difficult to dis
tinguish them from those whom the
dowry, and not the lady, attracted.
To every overture, past and present,
NJ. Duplessis replied with equal cour-
| tesy. The worthy man could have
avoided all this parley by providing
himself with a printed answer:
"My dear Sir: Although I am
Frenchman, my wife was born in Chi
| cago, my daughter born and reared in
the United States, and I myself having
resided many years in America, we are
all little American, and consequently
rather eccentric. We have decided in
our family council that my daughter
shall study conscientiously all those
who aspire to her hand. She will take
note of her impressions, keep them to
herself without imparting them to us,
her parents; she is the one to be mar
ried-not ourselves. She will be free
to choose her husband. Besides, we
are certain she will make wise dice,
for we have full confidence in her
sound Judgment and her good heart.
"She is rich enough not to allow any
mercenary consideration to balance
the principal one, namely, that, be-
sides pleasing her, the companion she
chooses offer her real, true guaran-
tees of happiness.
'The list is open, you may enter it. ;"
Then M. Duplessis added, the year in
which my story takes place:
"On the 18th of October my daugh-
ter will be 81 years old. On that day
we will give great reception to our
friends and acquaintance. You, my
dear sir, and all other aspirants are
cordially invited. Before the ball my
daughter will present her intended to
our guests and to ourselves"
On the 18th of October Pertius was
in a perfect bewilderment. All kinds
of equipages had been put in requisi-
ton. The guests came from far and
near. The two hotels were crowded to
suffocation. The immense park was
brilliantly Illuminated, the sumptuous
villa an enchanted palace.
The rivals at this court of love sur
rounding Isabella burned incense at
her shrine, each one trying to plead
his cause with the most eloquence.
She stood, handsome, placid, smiling;
a true goddess.
Her father asked: "Well, the YER
,dict?''
The smile vanished; a shade of disap-
pointment overspread her features.
zone minute more, father" she re-
piled.
There was a well-known, peculiar
creaking of wheels.
The smile returned.
"There is DR.. de st. Leonard" said
a familiar friend; he will be in time to
succor the vanquished."
A servant announced:
"MM. de St. Leonard"
"How late you are" said Isabelle,
holding out her hand to the father and
the son.
Forgive us, dear child" answered
the old doctor; ''we had to go out of
our way to poor Landry, who broke his
leg, and you know Cocotte will never
hurry"
John, very pale, notwithstanding his
efforts at self-control, disappeared in
the crowd. In a moment the one he
worshiped in his inmost heart would
announce to whom she pledged her
love. What was it to him? He was no
aspirant. He would not have come
had he not feared his absence would be
misconstrued.
Isabelle advanced reso1utely to the
middle of the drawing-room. ''My
friends" she said, gravely, "what is
going to take place is rather eccentric,
more so even than you think. The
kindness of my parents has allowed me
to choose husband among those who
honored me with proposal. I have
made my choice, and he is precisely
the one who never spoke word of
love to me, although I know he loves
me with his whole soul as love him.
What kept him back is what attracted
some others-my fortune.
"Since he does not ask it, must offer
it to him, wishing it were still greater,
for know well enough the use he will
make of 1.-THE whose principal heredi-
tary virtue is kindness"
Addressing the old doctor, her voice
trembling with emotion:
with the permission of my pa
rents" she continued, "Dr de st. Leon
ard, have the honor to ask the hand
of your son. love him. He loves me,
and I believe we will be able to do a