The Argosy — page 378: what you’re looking at

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The Curé’s Sister. 355 “Do not think her cold,” I said, earnestly, ‘‘lest you fall into some. error which may grieve you.” “Alas! she is cold to me! I shall never win her love,” saic Madame. ' L ‘‘ Have patience,” I answered. ‘‘Can she root up old affections: in a week 2?” ‘You ever strive to comfort me,” returned the lady, gratefully... But you see, I am losing my jealousy of her foster-mother, and I am even disappointed that she has grown indifferent so soon. I dread to see her new wealth develop hardness or ingratitude in her- character.” “Does Madame Valmine think her ungrateful?” I asked. “I fear so. And although I have sent her flowers and fruit every day in Léonie’s name, and although I have made for her every possible excuse, I can see both she and the Curé are deeply hurt at her persistent absence. ‘The poor woman wept yesterday, and flung the gift I brought her to the ground. ‘I want none of your gifts,’ she said, ‘I want a sight of Léonie’s face, a loving word from her lips—it is for this I pine. We are very sad here, Madame—my son and I; you have taken from us the light of our home. Léonie-. was my daughter and Gabriel’s sister for twenty years.’ ‘‘Her words smote me to the heart,” continued Madame de St. Erme; “and I promised Léonie should come to see her to-day; but I promised vainly. ‘I cannot go,’ she said to me in her quiet way. ‘I can never see their faces again.’ ” “They know of the coming marriage?” said I, anxiously. “Yes,” she answered; ‘‘I told them of it yesterday.” ‘“‘And what did they say?” I cried. ‘‘Madame Valmine sent Léonie her blessing, but her son said nothing. He seems a reserved and silent man, that young Curé,” observed Madame. I held my peace, half in sorrow, half in fear. And soon after this I took my leave, uttering no word to Léonie that could disturb the coldness of her aspect. . VIE. AL the village talk was of the grand wedding at the chateau. “Think of our little Léonie being Madame la Comtesse,” said the peasants. ‘It’s like a fairy tale. ow happy she will be! And he is handsome as the day, that young Count. ‘The wedding will be the grandest féte ever seen!” Thus the spectators talked, while the actors in the drama hid their aching hearts beneath their tinsel of rank and wealth. I was at the Curé’s house on the night before the great day. Madame Valmine was tearful and excited, the Curé calm and quiet. ‘““T am to go to the chateau to-morrow,” said Madame Valmine. ECORNIClOOOKKS (C©)