Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1904-07-14

1.-THE CHOICE D 0
OF MARGUERITE.
DE KERGARIEL,

IHI daughter, Marguerite, and his
nephew, Georges d'Orval, lived in q
huge chateau perched on a steep cliff
IN Brittany, overlooking a limitless
expanse of sea. Though a wealthy
man, he went to Paris only when
compelled to do SO by important bust
ness, for he was p~assionately 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 a wonderfully charming
girl of Is, fair haired and slender, with
eyes whose expression was both frank
and gentle.
The third %inhabitant of the chateau,
M. de Kergariel's nephew, was about
"a. His figure, though only of middle
height, was admirably proportional.
In disposition he was quiet and re-
served, with a marked inclination
toward art.
He loved fine paintings, statues and
chivalrous persons. He wrote verses
himself, which were by no means des-
titute of talent, and his last volume
had been highly praised by literary
men.
His cousin was somewhat dazzled by
this aureole of fame, and 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 faneies.
He received the innocent little jests
with a smile, for, though he had never
acknowledged it, even to himself, he
loved her.
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 he was standing alone
lost in thought in one of the large
drawing rooms, Marguerite glided
softly into the room, a mischievous
smile on her lips.
"Wha is u poet dreaming about?'
she asked.
He started at the sound Of the be-
loved voice and clasping her hand
pressed a long, tremulous kiss upon the
satin skin.
"Well WE'LL" said Marguerite, with
drawing it. Here is a cousin who
profits more than he ought from his
relationship"
Georges gazed deep into the young
girls eyes.
Il was dreaming of you," 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 If you
please? Were you composing some de-
licious madrigal in my honor? / am
prepared to hear my praises from your
lips, and your verses will seem better
than the finest music, if you compare
my hair to molten gold, my complexion
10 lilies and roses, and my eyes to
corn flowers"
mo-" replied the young man. "I
will recite no madrigal, but will tell
you Notwithstanding which per-
haps you do not expect, because until
now I have hidden it in the depth of my
heart, but which l am longing to con
fess. Do you understand me, Mar
guerite?"
Yes, she did understand him. And
the revelation, so wholly unexpected,
completely b%ewildered her.
She gazed at Georges with different
eyes. His avowal seemed suddenly to
have raised a barrier between them.
He loved her! What a strange
thing! He, whom she had regarded
as a brother, felt the love which she
would have expected only from a
stranger.
But she answered:
Il don't understand you, Georges.
What confession do you want to
make?"
Then, kneeling at her feet, he muir
INJURED the words SC full Of the promise
Of Joy.
II love you"
Marguerite looked at him mourn
fully.
BAT I have done nothing to inspire
such a feeling, Georges, and I do not
know whether | can return your affec-
ton. True, | love you, too, but only
as a brother, infinitely dear, a devoted
friend and comrade. have never
thought that some day you might be
something more"
He gazed at her rapturously.
II suppose so, but now that you
know my dearest wish is to be united
to you, do not deprive me Of all hone !
VH lMLN MAlN H|LNN| '.ZH. HMGA