Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1904-07-12
The HIsER's DAUGHTER
- By HOMIE BALZAc
By HOMIE DE BALzAc

with no very clear idea, save that Of
fight, she rushed toward the darkest cor
ner Of the passage, outside Nanon's
sleeping hole; and there Charles, who
was close beside her, g-aSped both hands
in his and pressed her to lis heart; his
arms went round her waist, Eugene re-
sisted no longer, and leaning against her
lover she received and gave the purest,
sweetest and most perfect of all kisses.
Dear Eugene, a cousin is better than
a brother; he can marry YOU" said
Charles.
ing the door behind them, and emerging
from her den. Her voice startled the
two lovers. who fed into the dining
room, where Eugene took up her sew
ing, and Charles seized on a book and
began to read industriously.
As soon as Charles fixed the day of
his departure, Grandet hustled about and
affected to take the greatest interest in
the whole matter. He was liberal with
advice and with anything else that cost
him nothing. He was up betimes every
morning planning, fitting, mailing deal
boards together, squaring and shaping,
and, in fact, he made some strong cases,
packed all Charles property in them, and
undertook to send them by steamer down
to the merchant ship, and to insure them
during the voyage
Since that kiss given and taken in the
passage, the hours sped with terrible
rapidity for Eugene. At times she
thought of following her cousin, for of all
ties that bind one human being to an
other, this passion of love is the closest
and strongest, and those who know this
will know the agony that Eugene suf-
fered, She shed many tears as she walk
ed up and down the little garden; it had
grown so narrow for her now; the court
yard, the old house and the town had all
grown narrow, ana her thoughts went
forth already across vast spaces of sea.
1t was a melancholy group round the
breakfast table on the morning of the
day of departure. Even Nanon herself,
in spite of Charles gift of a new gown,
had a tear in her eye, but she was free
to express her feelings, and did so.
"Oh! that poor, delicate young gen.
tleman who is going to seal! was the
burden of her discourse.
AZ half past 10 the whole family left
the house to see Charles start in the
dij~ence. Nanon meant to carry Charles
'.Sadbag. Every storekeeper III the an
cient street was in the doorway to watch
the little procession pass. NJ Cruehot
joined them in the market place.
''Eugenie,' whispered her mother,
mind you don't cry"
They reached the gateway of the inn,
and there Grandet kissed Charles on both
cheeks. well, nephew" he said, "set
out poor and come back rich; you leave
your fathers honor in safe keeping. l.
Grandet-will answer to you for that;
you will only have to do your part
"Oh! uncle, this sweetens the bitter
ness of parting. Is not this the greatest
gift you could possibly give me?'
Charles put his arms round his uncle's
neck, and let fall tears of gratitude on
the vine growers sunburned cheeks: Eu-
genie clasped her cousins hand in one
of hers, and her fathers in the other,
and held them tightly. Only the notary
smiled to himself; he alone understood
the worthy man, and he could not help
admiring his astute cunning. The little
group of onlookers hung about the dill
gence till the last moment; and looked
after it until it disappeared.
"A good riddance!' said the cooper.
Luckily no one but NJ. Cruchot heard
this ejaculation; Eugene and her mother
had walked along the quay to point of
view whence they could still see the dill
gence, and stood there waving their hand
kerchiefs and watching Charles answer
ing signal till he was out of sight