Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1904-04-13
A Test of Love

nette to Nine. Odiot. 81 am so
happy with yourself, but should /
enjoy the same happiness, the same
peace and the same contentment,
when l change your fireSide for an
other? l doubt it. No, no, | have
plenty of time yet; | am only eight
cen years of age. While | am much
honored by the attentions of NJ. lie
Baron de Merillac, repeat that l
must refuse him."
"My dear child" replied Nine.
Odiot, "you should reflect that one
of these days you will lose me. l
have been suffering for long time,
and very little would suffice to carry
me off. You will then find yourself
without support, since your dear
father is gone, and a husband is the
natural support of young girl
when she has lost her parents. Bar
on de Merillac is very estimable
young man. You will probably new
er get such another offer. He is
enormously rich"
"Then you know him?" asked An
toinette, with surprise.
without doubt"
"Yet have never seen him here"
persisted the girl.
"No, he has never been here, but /
have met him several times at the
house of Nine de Saverny, where
you would never accompany me, un-
der the pretext that she displeased
you, and 1t was Nine. de Saverny
who spoke to me of the baron as a
man who would be suitable for you
from every point of view"
81 shall like Nine. de Saverny
still less now" exclaimed the girl.
"What business is it of hers? If
she is so anxious to get NJ. de Meril-
lac married, let her take him her
self. She is a widow"
"You are foolish, ma bonnie
cherie. NJ. de Merillac is twenty
Ave years old, and Nine. de Saverny
is fifty. She might be his mothef.
But you should not get angry. One
would almost think that you had
some other reason than the one you
give so vehemently for refusing NJ.
de Merillac."
"Some other reason" stammered
Antoinette, lowering her eyes, while
a pretty little flush came into her
cheeks.
Nine. Odiot watched her smiling
ly, and several minutes passed in
silence.
Antoinette took up her sewing
again and, being aware no doubt
that her mothers eyes were fixed
upon her. presently rose and went
over to the piano. Nine. Odiot
stopped her as she went.
ave will settle the matter once
for ALL" she said, never to return
to it. The reason you refuse NJ. de
Merillac is because you don't want
to marry. Is it notP'
"Mais oui, maman," said Antoi-
nette in a voice that nevertheless
lacked the ring Of sincerity.
$50 that no matter who else may
come to me to ask your hand / may
tell him no and send him about his
business 2"
ooh, didn't say that-perhaps
later-when / am older-if theft
l liked him." stammered the young
girl, much embarrassed.
$50 be it. We will talk Of some
thing else. For instance, my dear
nephew CASTOR has now been with
us for three weeks and has nearly
finished his picture. He has been
very busy making some sketches in
the woods for another one he has in
view. think he is with your uncle
at this moment. Let us 60 across
and see him-I mean my brother.
He has not been very well of late"
ooh, no, mother; my uncle is
quite well again." said Antoinette
quickly.
"Ah, you have some news about
him ?"
Antoinette bit her lips. Her an
swer had slipped out too quickly.
"The gardener told me-" she add
ed naively.
Nine. Odiot pretended not to no.
tice her daughters embarrassment.
"Will you come with me? | am
going at once. AS he is your guardi-
an ought to let him know at once
Of your decision with regard to M.
de Merillac, for he knew all about
him."
ooh, nay uncle knewP"
dyes"
"And he approvedP"
Eyes"
"Then CASTOR knew that it was
l should marry this bar
'on~
"Perhsps,"
But be has said nothing to me
bout itp
q thought You had not seen him~