The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1903-02-06

children
"And haven't they been happy hours
SimonT
Indeed they have, sir, been very hap
py ones. But alas! the thought has
often been with me Of late-must tney
all end In misery nowT
"How, Simon ?-misery?" uttered the
marquis, in astonishment. what mean
you2 Do you fear that l am going TO
turn you away|
An instantaneous fash of defiance pass
ed over the younger mans face, but ne
revealed none Of the feeling that had
given 1t birth.
"No, no." he replied, II did not fear
that. You do not understand me. he
member, sir, that Louise St. Julien mas
grown up under my care-that nave
seen each opening beauty as It has grad
ualIy expanded itself into life, and each
bud Of promise have seen blossom INTO
the full rose. She has now grown to be
a woman. Think you have seen ana
known all this unmoved? No, sir. MY
heart has been caught In the snare OF her
charms, and am but as an outcast now,
IL possess her not for mine own. 1ou
understand me nowY
Brion st. Julien understood, but ne
made no reply. He started when the
truth first broke upon him: and when 81
mon ceased speaking he arose to his
feet and commenced to pace the room.
The nephew watched him for moment,
and then, in a tone as soft and persuas-
i've as he could assume, he resumed:
"ReAect calmly upon this, my lord. he
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"
II know" pursued the nephew; but
Louise is not young. 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, nor have yet
reached my prime; only five-and-thirty
years. But what of all this? Speak
plainly, sir, and let me know your mind.
Only remember that l have not sought
your daughters society. 1t has been
forced upon me, and could not avoid the
result. All, sir, l cannot think you will
refuse me-"
Now, to speak the truth for the mar
quls-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,
lie had moments when he almost feared
him. This latter emotion was sort Of
dim, vague working of mind, without
point and without shape; but yet it
worked, and had its influence.
Simon he said, when left France,
l left all the rotten, useless usages Of
society behind me, and here | resolved to
form world Of my own. First among
the miserable falsehoods Of old society, l
meant to cast away that plan which
makes the marriage of the child 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 own judgment in
that respect, she Is not old enough to per-
form the duties Of wife. Upon the mar
riage of my children may depend the
whole veal or woe of their earthly fu-
ture. Such being the case, 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"
-HWhat am l to understand by this,
sir?" asked Simon, not able to conceat his
chagrin.
"Simply that Louise may choose her
own husband"
"But you will exercise some authority ?
You will speak in my behalfY
"First, l would know IL the girl chooses
you"
"But-but-you might influence her
choice"
mot now, Simon"
"Yet you will speak one wordT'
"Why SO soon2 Louise is young yet.
Why, bless you, man, there's some time
yet-sonle years--ere she'll be Of lawful
age"
"Not quite year, sir"
II mean ere she'll be able to do busi-
ness as an heiress. Let the matter rest
now"
"No, mol cannot. cannot live in
doubt. must know what my fate Is to
be."
"But what Is to be gained by this
haste? Louise must be free yet, unless
she may reeiprocate your own love-"
cay" cried Simon, hotly and passion
ately, and speaking now without thought
or consideration; 'but how long is this
to be so2 How long before this new
fedged popinjay may seize her with the
fire of his eye, and influence her to love
hlmP He is here, and he is likely tC
stay here while"
"Simon Loboisv' 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-speakw uttered the
nephew, still under the influence of pas
sion. "Let me hear ALL"
Listen" interrupted the marquis, "ant
you shall hear. took you to my homG
pennlless. Only remember you this: the
Count st. Denis was one among the few
very few, true friends l ever had; and his
only son has inherited all his fathers
good qualities, all his nobleness of soul
and all his virtues. Aud mark me, | love
Goupart st. Denis. Yet will speak on'
word more since you have brought th'
subject up; and l hope this may be thC
last time that need shall arise of alludins
to the subject. When I came here. you
begged that l would take you with me.
offered you salary OF four thousanG
francs year In money, besides your llv
ing, to come and keep the bare account
Of my business, and three THOUSAND NOR,
to teach my children. Thus far you hav,
done your duty WELL Have | not don't
mineT
There was something In the look, the
tone. and the words Of the speaker, thai
struck a transient feeling OF awe to 81
mons soul, and In a moment he conceal
ed all traces Of his anger. He found that
there was much Of the old blood yet left