The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1861-06-12
4 French and Moving Story.

Lefori was a man some forty years olo,
with an income of fifteen thousand francs,
fond of pictures, and painting landscapes
himself in very remarkable manner. He
lived in Rue de Provence, in an apartment
in the third story, where he was often visit
ed by his friend Decamps, the noble painter
who has recently died in Paris, who was
very fond of Lefort and of sitting 10 talk in
his rooms. They passed long evenings in
chatting and SIN oking together before an
open window, which overlooked the vast
gardens of the Hotel Lafiue and the Hotel
Rothschild
One day, Lefori arrived at the cafe with
a long face and an air OF great dissatisfac-
ton.
"What is the matter ~ said Decamps
"The matter is, | am wretched at having
TO move from our apartment"
"Are you going to leave it?"
eyes, nay landlord wanted 10 raise my
rent. resis,ed-he insisted. grew ang-
~, and gave up the room. | am wretched
now. You were so fond OF these rooms"
"Ah, well, take back your lease"
"You are right, will take it back"
The next day Lefort had still the long
face and the grieved air of the previous day.
He had wished 10 resume his lease. But
il was too late. The apartment was let for
a term OF nine years.
Lefort must move in the month of 0cto.
Der. His landlord informed him, however,
in an obIiging manner, that the person who
was TO succeed him woulc not arrive from
the country till the middle of November,
and that he had all that time to seek an ap-
aumen, to suit him; only Lefort must leave
empty part of the suit of rooms 10 store
the furniture of his successor. Lefort con-
sented to this joyfuily, and the furniture OF
the new tenant was brought in.
Meantime Decsmps, who saw him, still
so sorrowful at having 10 quit his rooms,
said TO him one day:
"There is perhaps some way TO arrange
with your new successor"
81 do not know him; and don't wish TO
! Try to make bargain"
"Show me his furniture" said De camps,
"and can guess what sort OF a man II Is
Lefort conducted Decamps into the rooms
where the furniture of the new tenant was
placed.
"Hum, hum,' said Decamps on casting
! his eyes over the articles; call this is sim
| pie, comfortable, in good taste, furniture fo
! an income of twenty thousand francs, late
ly removed. Ii is the right sort of man
| or rather il is woman; here is woman
furniture, this toilet, this wash table, thi
book stand of inlaid work"
"But the husband !'
'I don't see any husband in the matter
no masculine furniture, single bed, NJ
bureau; we only want 10 know if she is
widow, young girl, or an old maid"
/ "How shall we find out that W
He opened the toilotte table. There wa
shell comb, to which was attached twi
magnificent hairs of golden blond.
"Good, this hair does not belong 10 a
old woman; let US look farther. He pei
ceiYed portrait turned against the wall
He turned the canvass. 1t was the portal
of a woman, blond, very pretty, painted j
1925, by Horsent.
81, is the portrai. of the lady," said De
camps ''Il is the portrait of a married VIC
man; the dress indicates it. The woma
was about twenty when il was painted
She must be still very pretty. She is
intelligent woman, loving art, Ijudge b
The selection of the books in the library, b
the music on the piano. My friends, 20
will not qui, this apartment"
'T must ask this lady TO give ii up 10 me
then"
"No, you must ask her to share IT wit
you You mus; marry her.
"You are mad you are laughing at me
az speak very seriously. Your furnitul
seems made TO go with that of the lady
The suite of rooms is TOO large for one
you alone; it is exactly what is wanted f
you two"
"But don't wish to marry"
"You are wrong. You are forty yea
old; this lady suits you in every respect
She pIeases me, this woman, and wis
you TO marry her. Let me manage"
Lefort gave him leave. When the lac
came from the country, she was surprise