St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1904-08-20
THE CHOICE c ] . 3
i OF MARGUERITE ;
DE KERGARIEL

1uI daughter, Marguerite, and his
nephew, Georges d'Orval, lived in /:
huge chateau perched on a steep cliff
IN Brittany. overlooking limitles.
expanse OF sea Though a wealthy
man, he went to Paris only wher
compelled to do SO by important bust
ness, for he was passionately fond Of
hunting and priced his reputation as
a crack shot far beyond the highest
honors he could have won elsewhere
His daughter, Marguerite, shared
his taste for outdoor sports, horseback
riding and athletic exercises. In per-
son she was . wonderfully charming
girl Of IS, fair haired and slender, with
eyes whose expression was both frank
and gentle. - !.
The third inhabftant Of the chateau
N. de Kergariel's nephew, was about
"a. His figure, though only of middle
height, was admirably proportioned.
In disposition he was quiet and re-
served, with q marked inclination
toward art.
He loved fine paintings, statues. and
chivalrous persons. He wrote verses
himself, which were by no means dos
titute Of talent, and his last volume
had been highly praised by literary
men.
His cousin was somewhat dazzled by
this aureole Of fame, land felt both
deep respect and genuine affection for
the young man; but she would have
preferred to have him share her own
tastes. and leased him numerically
about his fancies. s.- ax
He received the innocent little jests
with smile, for, though he had never
acknowledged 1t, even to himself, he
Orphaned at 16, and the heir Of a
large fortune, Georges d'Orval had
spent eight months OF every year with
his uncle and cousin. He liked the
wild, desolate, arid region, whose beau
ties they admired together.
One day when lie was standing alone
lost in thought in one of the large
drawing rooms, Marguerite glided
softly into the .roDm,s mischievous
smile on her lips.
What is our poet dreaming about?''
she asked. s5s 9rg
He started eat the sound Of the be-
loved voice and clasping her hand
pressed long, tremulous kiss upon the
satin skin.
"Well, welE" said Marguerite, with
drawing it. Here Is cousin who
profits more than he ought from his
relationship"
Georges gazed deep Into the young
girls eyes.
II was dreaming ofsyon. he said.
Under the look Marguerite felt the
stirring of a new and strange emotion;
and, to conceal it she strove to jest
Indeed - And in what way II you
please? We're you composing some de-
licious madrigal Id my honor? am
prepared toshear my praises from your
lips, and ypur verses will seem better
than the finest music, II you compare
my hair to molten gold, my complexion
to lilies and roses, and my eyes to
corn flowers"
mo-" replied the young man. Il
will recite NO madrigal, but will tell
you something-something which per-
haps you do not expect, because until
now / have hidden 1t inthe depth Of my
heart, but which am longing to con-
fess. Do you understand me, Mar
guerite?"
Yes, she did understand him. And
the revelation, SO wholly unexpected,
bewildered her,
She gazedy at Georges with different
cyes. His ayowal seemed suddenly to
have raised b barrier between them.
He loved her! What a strange
thing! He. whom she had regarded
rs a brother, felt the love which she
would have expected only from q
stranger.
But she answered:
81 don't understand you, Georges.
What confession do you want to
maker"
Then, kneeling at her feet, he muir
INJURED the words so full Of the promise
Df JOY.
Il love yon."
Marguerite looked at him mourn
lully.
.sBut have done nothing to inspire
,,,ch a feeling, Georges. and do not
know whether / can return your affec-
ion. True, Il love you, too, but only
e : brother, infinitely dear, a devoted
,rfend and comrade. have never
hnueht that some day you might be
more"
He gazed at her rapturonsly.
81 snpntse SO, but now that you
now nv de(lest sklsh y to - united
q You. do not deprive me Of al hopei