The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1904-10-12
az love you"
Marguerite looked at him mourn

i
ton. True, love you, too, but only
as brother, infinitely dear, devoted
friend and comrade. I have never
thought that some day you might be
something more"
He gazed at her rapturously.
II suppose so, but now that you
know my dearest wish is to be united
to you, do not deprive me Of all hope
until you are certain that you cannot
respond to my love-"
Have you spoken to my father?"
asked the young girl.
Eyes, and he approves my wishes.
He will be happy, he said, in union
which will bring me nearer to him.
But that must not influence you, Mar
guerite. Wait until your heart speaks.
Perhaps it will not remain insensible
to the language of mine"
Il will give you my answer in a
month"; replied Marguerite de Ker-
gariel, who had become grave and
thoughtful
A week passed.; Marguerite was Sc
cretly watching Georges and beginning
to become accustomed to the thought
of marriage with him. She knew
that he was kind and loving, and he
seemed more attentive now that she
looked at him more closely and with
different eyes. Surprised by charms
of mind and person which she had not
noticed before, her heart was gradually
opening to love.
Georges OWNED the change, and his
JOY was reflected in his face.
But one evening M. de Kergariel
disturbed his peace of mind.
The two men were pacing up and
down the terrace. 1t was a cloudless
night, and fresh breeze, blowing from
tbs sea, brought the salt breath of the
waves.
Il received a letter this morning
from my old friend, Nine de Millery,' .
said NJ. de Kergariel. 'You know her;
she is distant relative.
She is coming to spend a few days
here, and will arrive tomorrow. She
| adds that she will be accompanied by
| a young man who was ward OF her
husband, TO whom she is much at
tached.
He has no property, but she will
leave him her whole fortune, and be-
lieves that he would be an ideal hus-
band for Marguerite. What do you
say?"
II say" replied Georges vehemently
chat these are very useless complica-
tions, and hope, uncle, that you will
avoid them. You need only tell Nine
de Millery that she is wasting her time
by trying to marry off Marguerite
since you have the man whom you de
sire for her.
Impossible. l don't wish to We.
Nine. de Millery. She would never for
give me if your marriage did not TAX
place. I could write only in cas-
Marguerite accepted you. Then
could announce my daughters ap
proching marriage and all would b
settled"
Marguerite requested months de
lay, uncle"
"Try to obtain her answer sooner.
"She would have reason. to be sur
prised at my urgency, and should no
like to tell her the cause"
Then you must understand thai
under these circumstances, canno
refuse to receive Nine. de Millery an
her friend. If Marguerite will not mar
ry you, she must make another choice
Come, my dear Georges, courage
learn to fght-and to conquer!"
Georges made no reply. A dull sens
Of anger oppressed him. He feared tn
stranger.
The morning of the following da
Nine. de Millery reached the chateau
accompanied by Raoul de Villiers, tn
young man mentioned in her lette
She also brought her maid and dc
testable pug dog named Coquette, fro1
which she never separated.
She was a woman of GO, extremel
kind, but SO excessively vivacious thu
she seemed to fill the quiet dwellin
with noise and hustle. A great beaut
!, in her youth, she was now almo:
hideous, owing to her efforts to COZ
ceal, by art dyes, "the irreparable dan
age of the years.
M. de Kergariel, who had known he
in her prime and even at one time i
his life had been somewhat captivate
by her, was full of indulgence for a
the whims which, after all, scarcel
disguised the genuine goodness of hi
old friends heart.
Raoul de Villiers, whom she treate
like a spoiled child, had very fin
figure and most pleasing face. Ia
and fair, with blue eyes, whose ea
preston was sometimes laughing
; sometimes cold and keen, he made
; deep impression upon Marguerite. Blu
, he had a. shallow heart, and the youn
, girls principal charm in his eyes wa
j, the amount of her dowry.
Georges and he instantly hated eac
7 other
| There was an actual duel of shar
: words between the two young me
| Whenever they were alone.
v Marguerite still hesitated.
: Raoul perhaps pleased her more tina
: Georges. He shared her tastes, ha
u 1<~,,- r