The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-11-05
The Tu() Orphans.
BE D@SEnnSry.
CHAPTER NJ.
THE SECRET.
(IlIlSI"N.

mSDl. ,
That any one in his right mind
should refuse to accept OF the means
of advancement to the royal favor
when it was to be purchased by such a
simple. and in the present case, such
an agreeable means. was past the OLD
gentIeman:S mprehenSiOn.
1t required some little time for him
to understand that his nephew had
rejected the kings tlattering proposals,
and then his anger began TO get the
better Of his surprise.
The Countess de LiniereS, with
woman's ready wit, understood that
there could be but one cause for such q
decided refusal, and that must be that
he was already in love.
The chevalier was the son OF her SIS
ter. who had died several years previous
TO the opening Of our story, and t0l
that reason. IS well as his own noble
qualities, she loved him as She would
had he been her own son.
Understanding her husbands quick
and variable temper, the countess
darted d warning glance at De Nau'
drey. which, if it was seen, was moi
needed.
Before committing yourself ire
trieyably. Chevalier de Naudrey. re-
fleet" said the count, in an angry
tone. Il know the weakness ofyouth
and the temptations to which it is eX
posed. I also know that within GER
tain limits it is well to close the eyes
to faults, provided they are not too
serious. This marriage is an honor
which his majesty desires to confer or
you, and when the king has spoken
II will go to the king" interrupted
the chevalier, and speaking with great
rapidity and earnestnesS, he added
II will thank him for his goodness, J
will place my services at his disposal
My devotion, my life are his, but my
affections are my own, and wish K
remain-free!.'
''Free." exclaimed the count, scorn'
fully. Free to lead life of dissipa
tion which you may not always be able
to hide from the world"
These words which implied so much
stung the noblehearted De Naudrey
more than any words Of anger or re
proach could have done.
There is nothing in my life to hide
he said, proudly, but impatiently
nothing for which l have reason K
blush" 80.
Are you sure Of that, Chevalier?'
asked the count. in tone that plainly
said the speaker knew differently
Conscious of his own uprightneSs, this
doubt cast upon his word was more
than the chevalier could bear, and he
advanced toward his uncle with
menacing air. ,
"Monsieur::.,,' he began, boldly, u
cannot"
Maurice. my husbandl'' exclaimed
the countess, as she stepped between
the two men to prevent those words
from being spoken which both would
have afterward deeply regretted
'sDefer the conversation for the pres.
ent. Permit me to speak to Maurice .
VERY we'll" said De LiniereS, stern,
ly. Then turning to the chevalier, he
said, in voice which he had never be-
fore used to his nephew: I'VE will re:
turn to this another time. You will
remember that, as head Of the family
its honor is contided to my care, and
will not suffer any one to suIly 1t with
a STAIN"
De. Vaudrey had nearly lost all con-
troll of his temper, and in a moment
the outbreak which the countess was
so anxious to avoid would have broken
forth, had no. the count, without Civ
ing his nephew time to speak, said,
quickly:
II leave you with the countess, and
I hope that your respect and affection
for her will cause you TO lend more
weight to her counSels than you are
DISPOSED to give TO mine
As if fearing that he might have
tried the young mans temper too far,
or that he did not wish to prolong a
useless controversy, the count left the
room as he finished the sentence, and
De Vaudrey was alone with his aunt.
The countess went up to the noble
looking young man, and taking hs
hand in hers, asked, in sweet, win
ming voice:
.tWho is this woman you love? What
obstacle prevents the avowal OF your
passion? fit is only matter OF for
tune, take mine; it is all at your dis
posal. and l will give it to you cheer
fully" -,
"Ah. where shall find a heart like
vourS?" exclaimed the cheyaller, in a
voice trembling with emotion. You
have OWNED my secret. l love young
girl as charming as she IS pure. l love
her, vet my lips have never sought
hers. l adore her, yet l hare never
dared to whisper my passion"
Her name-her family: asked the
countess. eagerly.
She was born of the people, > said
De Vaudrey. proudly. yet tenderly.
she is an orphan, and lives by the
labor Of her hands
The countess, who had never for a
moment imagined such an answer to
her question, was surprised. and she
showed plainly that grief was mingled
with her surprise.
land you would make such woman
your wife?" she asked, reproachfully.
''Do not Judge her until you have
seen her." entreaCed the cheralier
Consent to see her. and then advise
me-"
And the young man TOOK tne cOuE'
tess's hands in his, and looked implor'
ingly into her lace.
But his aunt turned away from him
with a gesture Of sorrow.
In such a marriage she said. sad
", there can be no happiness foryou,
nd for her, only misery Believe me:
know the result Of those unequal
unions. You must renounce her. You
owe obedience to your family and to
your king"
As the countess said these words,
which. if they were Obcyed, would
doom the young man TO give up all
that the world held for him, she turned
YEARLY away, and sunk into Il chair,
as if the advice came only from the
echo of her husbands words. and not
from her own loving heart.
Can you tell me that" asked the
chevalier, in d tOae Of surprise. y ou
who have suffered so much. and have
been a victim to blind obedience
which has sacrificed your life, and
made you miSreab!e:~