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

B smile.
"Is my presence very necessary p
the young girl asked. Then sh
added: ~ think that my uncle ant
yourself Will be able to talk NOR
at your ease if l 90 away. Besides
my uncle will question me, and
shan't know how to answer him."
"That is quite simple. You vii
answer him just as you answered
me-"
ooh, now, mother, you make M
cryw
And Antoinette burst into tear
and threw herself upon her moth
er's neck.
"Why do you cry, ma mignonne
There is surely no cause for tears
In our conversation"
At this moment a servant girl en-
tered the room and announced thai
the. Baron de Merillac and his sor
were waiting outside.
an. lie Baron de Merillac and hi
son." she said.
Then she withdrew. Antoinettt
hurriedly made up her mind to
conceal herself, when thereAappear-
ed upon the threshold of the room
her uncle and CASTOR. She stood
gaping at them without moving and
examined them.
"What does this mean?" she STAN
mered, turning toward her mother.
"Ask your uncle and CASTOR him
SELF" replied Nine. Odiot.
at MEANS" said NJ. Lambert very
seriously, Chat l come as your
guardian to ask for you in marriage
to the Baron de Merillac."
"But the announcement just
made by Justine?" interrupted An
toinette, who could not understand
why the baron and his father did
not make their appearance and why
her uncle made this request when
they were evidently both waiting in
the next room.
Her interrogating glances passed
from her mother to NJ. Lambert and
CASTOR, the latter Of whom appear
ed a little disturbed and nervous
in spite Of his smiling face. An
toinette had dried her tears, but her
eyes were still red and swollen from
crying.
CASTOR noticed this.
"You have been crying, Antoi-
nettep" he asked her while NJ. LAM
bert and Nine. Odiot stood apart
and conversed in low tones.
eyes," she replied to her cousins
question.
"Why|
81 cannot tell YOU"
"Oh," was all he said.
"Well, Antoinette," interrupted
M. Lambert, "you have given me
no answer"
"Mother has already spoken to
me about this gentleman, uncle, and
and
"And?" questioned Gaston's ia
ther.
"And," continued Antoinette,
playing nervously with a skein Of
wool she held in her hands.
"Well?" insisted NJ. Lambert. "Is
it difficult to say%
CASTOR made step in the direc-
ton of the young girl as though to
encourage her.
"Tell them, mother, what l an
swered YOU" murmured the poor
girl. Gaston's attitude was torture
to her.
"Well," began Nine. Odiot, ex-
changing a glance with her BROTH
er, "my daughter does not wish to
get marriedp
CASTOR made another step toward
Antoinette and seized her hand.
"Not even with me?" he asked,
with trembling voice.
"With you" cried the young girl,
blushing and growing pale by turns.
eyes, with me, for l love you!
Do you not know itP"
81 was sure of it," replied NJ.
Lambert, with wink.
"For goodness sake, explain your
selvesW exclaimed Antoinette, look
ing at all Of them in turn.
ut is easy to explain" said Cas-
ton. 81 thought l had guessed your
love for me, and l told my father,
confessing my love for you at the
same time. He and your mother
talked it over and laid this trap to
see II your love was strong enough
to resist rich and titled lover"
ooh, CASTOR! And you have fall
en- into the trap?"
eyes, petite couSine, for |, too,
wanted to feel quite sure that l was
being loved for myself alone. Now I
know and can no longer doubt, can
I? You will be my wife, won't
your"
"But she has not said So" inter
rupted Nine. Odiot mischievously,
without giving her daughter time to
reply and having hard work herself
to keep a serious face.
eyes, l have, mother!" cried An
toinctte, with delightful simplicity.
"Ah. Antoinette, Antoinette!
Thank you, my darling little cous-
in" exclaimed CASTOR, mad with
joy.
The young girl had flung herself
upon her mothers neck and en-
hraced her with all her heart