St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-08-20

y
respond to my love"
Have you spoken to my father?
asked the young girl.
Yes, and he approves my wishe.
He will be happy, he said. in q unto
which will bring me nearer to hin
But that must not influence you, Maj
guerite. Wait until your heart speaks
Perhaps it will not remain insensibl
to the language of mine.''
7 will give you my answer in
MONTH" replied Marguerite de Ker
gariel, who had become grave an
thoughtful.
A week passed; Marguerite was sc
cretly watching Georges and beginning
to become accustomed to the though
OF a marriage with him. She kney
that he was kind and loving, and b.
seemed more attentive now that sh
looked at him more closely and witt
different eyes. Surprised by charm
OF mind and person which she had no
noticed before, her heart was graduall.
opening to love-
Georges OWNED the change, and hi
JOY was reflected in his face.
But one evening NJ. de Kergarie
disturbed his peace Of mind.
The two men were pacing up ant
down the terrace. 1t was cloudles.
night, and fresh breeze, blowing from
the sea, brought the salt breath of tn.
waves.
Il received a letter this morning
from my old friend, Nine. de Millery,
said M. de Kergariel. .'You know her;
she is distant relative.
"She is coming to spend a few days
here, and will arrive tomorrow. Sht
adds that she will be accompanied BY
a young man who was a ward OF hel
husband, to whom she is much at.
tsched. 81
He has no property, but she will
isave him her whole fortune. and be.
laeves that he would be an ideal hus-
band for Marguerite. What do you
say?"
Il say" replied Georges vehemently
chat these are very useless compiled
tons, and l 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. I don't wish to vex
Nine de Millery. She would never for
give me If your marriage did not take
place. I could write only in case
Marguerite accepted you. Then
could announce my daughters ap-
proching marriage and all would be
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 not
like to tell her the cause
Then you must understand that,
under these circumstances, I cannot
refuse to receive Nine. de Millery and
her friend II Marguerite will not mar
ry you, she must make another choice.
Come, my dear Georges, courage;
learn to fight-and to conquer!"
Georges made no reply. A dull sense
Of anger oppressed him. He feared the
stranger. SO
The morning of the following day
Mme de Millery reached the chateau,
accompanied by Raoul de Villiers, the
young man mentioned in her letter.
She also brought her maid and de-
pug dog named Coquette, from
which she never separated.
She was woman of 60, extremely
kind, but SO excessively vivacious that
she seemed to ill the quiet dwelling
with noise and hustle A great beauty
in her youth, she was now almost
hideous, owing to her efforts to con-
ceal, by art dyes, t'the irreparable dam
age of the years.
M. de Kergariel, who had known her
IN Ler prime and even at one time in
his life had been somewhat captivated
BY her, was full of indulgence for all
The whims which, after all, scarcely
disguised the genuine goodness of his
I'D friends heart.
Raoul de Villiers, whom she treated
Ike spoiled child, had v..y fine
1gure and a most pleasing face. Tall
md fair with blue eyes, whose ex-
preston was sometimes laughing.
sometimes cold and keen, he made a
leep impression upon Marguerite. But
lie had shallow heart, and the young
girls principal charm in his eyes was
he amount Of her dowry.
Georges and he instantly hated each
,ther.
There was an actual duel OF. sharp
words between the two young men
whenever they were alone.
Marguerite still hesitated.
Raoul perhaps pleased her more than |
seorges. He shared her tastes, had |
he same love for outdoor life. But |
seorges was so devoted to her, she |
new his loving, loyal SOUL. while she |
vas totally ignorant Of his rivals ma
ure. CY
So one day, when Raoul jested about
be love Of the handsome misan-
hrope," as he sarcastically dubbed
'eorges, she answered, with con-
ciousness of being wounded.
do not jeer, beg Of you. His love
as at least one merit: it is unfeigned
nd sincere. - nu1d + saw as much nf l