Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-01-02

OAA OCSAA DANNS tAAS SoSAASAOeAAt "
ing pause of apparently deep reflection,
spoke again
"Well, madame" said he, "there re-
mains but one way to arrange our little
dispute, so as to enable you to resume
possession of your delightful residence
without ousting me-"
"What is your meaning, sir? demand
ed the bewildered young widow, looking
still more charming in her amazement.
My meaning is this, madame my
name is Arthur--Baron Arthur de B.
l belong to an old and honorable family,
am a bachelor, and two and thirty years
of age. My estates are worth fifty thou
sand francs a year Hdt this I mention
merely out ofrespect to the laws Of bust
ness, and despite the originality and
queerness of my conduct, which may per-
haps have offended you, I am consider
ed very good natured person, and, up
on the whole, fatter myself am a
man fully capable of making a lady hap
py. VIII you, therefore, do me the
honor of accepting my heart, my hand,
and my fortune ?"
To this sudden proposal, Madame de
y replied with dignity: Your jest
is not in very good taste, sir, and all I
can do is to laugh at it"
Serious, most serious, madame, am
indeed-and beg you to believe it"
What, sir! you propose marriage
merely that you may not have to give
up my apartment"
A little upon that account, madame,
but still more because of a more over
powering reason for, among the many
considerations l have had the honor Of
laying before you, there is one I dared
not mention but allow me now to con-
fess i'll love you"
At this avowal, Madame de y
blushed to the eyes-what lady, young
or old, would not have done so, particu-
larly when the avowal came from a
young, handsome and wealthy man ?
However, she took it in good part, and
laughed outright at her interlocutor.
You are laughing, madame, and
however,
"Your folly provokes my laughter, Mon
sieur lie Baron I really cannot help it. p
Nevertheless, madame, can assure
you I am fully master of my reason, OF
at least of as much of it as remains, sub
dued as it is by intense passion"
"What, sir intense passion at first
sight p
You forget, madame, that I have
now been living three long months in
your apartment, and that your portrait
which | now see is an adorable likeness
is hanging up there in the next room. i
was the first object which caught my at
tention on entering, and have looked al
it and admired it every day since. MOI
was captivated by the charms of your
beauty alone, for ! am well acquainted
with your merit in every way, your many
superior qualities, and your irreproach'
able character. A man, however so lit
tie versed he may be in womanly affairs
cannot spend three months in a lady,
apartment without noticing and studying
many things disclosing her habits, hel
tastes, her feelings, have been al
acute, and perhaps an indiscreet observe
madame, and what have discovered ha
captivated my heart forever that hear
1 offer you again, and humbly wait you
answer to know my fate"
There was no bombast, no fanfaronad
/ III thO DoLeh . Ian SutlSC II was Inc IC
solve of man who had made up hi
mind, and was determined to succeed
But the more he urged the suit the les
he advanced in it ; till at last the widow
signified to him in due form and unmis
takeable phraseology, that he must in
stantly shift his quarters, thus giving hin
his leave, and intimating to him at tn
same time, that he must never think c
setting foot in her residence again.
Very well, madame withdraw
| and will not return until you invite me t
do so = the answer 10 which partin
r words was a saucy smile, and toss {
the head which evidently meant Yo
t have long to wait, Monsieur lie Baron be
fore receiving such an invitation"
> However, at the end of few days tn
s invitation acas sent and the baron arrive
= just as the widow had completed maxim
1t herself more charming than ever.
/ =" What have ] been apprised o
: sir Z" said Madame de Y to him g
II he seated himself in an arm chair rigl
/ opposite to her. " During my absenc
e Won brorI csbt N, Io,,,x - L.. - I -