The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-03-27


forbidden paradise. everything that
| fans within me these vain 1lames-I put
it aside. l hate it, will not have it,"
| Maxine was distressed and shocked. II
sincerely pity you, mademoiselle," was all
he could say. And he said it gravely. She
held out her hand wet with the tears
which she had striven to press back from
her eyes, and Maxine kissed that hand
gently. Soon after this Maxine, at the
imminent risk of his life, rescued Mar
guerite's pet dog from drowning, and she
saw that he was physically brave, fact
which he also proved before her eyes by
his management of vicious horse.
Nine. Laroque became confidential with
lei steward, and consulted him about her
daughters marriage with NJ. de Bevallan.
''But If Mademoiselle Marguerite is salts
fed and you are satisfied with the match,
what is there to hesitate at%' said Max
ime. But we are not satisfied replied
the creole widow. decisively. I'm fact. this
marriage is a marriage de convenience
pure and simple" LAS I to understand
that it is determined orr mo, for ask
your advice Maxine remained silent,
emo finally Nine Laroque said, GO mon
sieur; | will not detain YOU Maxine felt
that distinct advance had been made
TOW ard him. But his honor forbade him
TO accept it. He reasoned thus Sup
ros e 1t is true that Marguerite loves me-
as it is sure that l love her. My hands
are empty. have no more future than
| have present. OF all the advantages
which the world values / have but one,
my title, and 1 shall take good care that
1t is not said that it was the consideration
OF a bargain. In short,I should receive
everything and give nothing. A king may
wed a shepherdess-that is unselfish and
charming. But shepherd who would al
low a queen to marry him would not act
dignified part. / ought to leave this
place and the presence of her love Wis
dom counsels such a course But he
could not bring himself to the fatal sepa-
ration and stayed on.
One day as they were riding together
Marguerite said. to Maxine: Human &C.
tions generally have more than one side.
Your conduct toward Mademoiselle de
Pcrhoet for instance, looks very WE'LL but
I am not quite sure you are not currying
favor with her in the hope of becoming
her heir ALLOW me- mademoiselle, to
truly pity you," replied Maxine. ITO pity
me, monsieur" Eyes, nothing can be
rrore deserving of compassion than
heart withered by distrust at the very
threshold of existence you forget to
whom you are speaking" That is true
am talking a little at random; but 1t
was you who set me the example," The
cir: fixed her eyes upon the tops of the
trees which lined the road and said with
naughty irony: 'Must / ask your par
don?'' Certainly, replied Maxine. IF
one of us ought to ask pardon it is YOU.
You are rich, I am poor; you can humble
yourself, I cannot" silence followed
anc then, after little, lowering her whip
by way of salute. Marguerite saids well,
pardon, then" and flashing her horse with
a sudden blow she started on a gallop and
Maxine was left behind her. After that
Marguerite was. for a while, naughty and
distant in her treatment of the steward.
She seemed to feel that she must, some
how. make up for the humiliation of hav-
ing been forced to ask pardon. Although
Max1meS neart was breaking Tor the
vayward beauty. he kept studied air
of Indifference which aroused her resent
n,ent more than any other line of con-
duct could have done. @
over Marguerite and her mother
Mile. Helouin possessed the ascendency
that deception naturally gains over
honesty-cunning over candor. She
enjoyed the confidence that naturally
springs from the habit of daily inter-
course, and her masters to use her
own expression, had no reason to sv.-
pect the existence, under the appear
ance of kindly playfulness and obse-
ouious attention with which she en-
yeloped herself with 'consummate art.
OF the frenzy born of pride and in
gratitude that was consuming the
wrecked heart. 1t was only too prob
able that SO sure and sl,illftn q hand
would meet with the greatest success
| in instilling its poison Into hearts thus
prepared. Maxine knew that Mile.
Helouin. yielding to hor resentment.
would try to place the hand of Mar
guerite in that of NJ. dc Bevallan and
thus insure : marriage which. while it