Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-05-31
A MOVING STORY.

Leiort was man some forty years old,
with an income of fifteen thousand francs,
fond of pictures, and painting landscapes
himself in a very remarkable manner He
lived in Rue de Provence, in an apartment in
the third story, where he was often visited by
his friend Docamps. the distinguished painter
who has recently died in Paris, who was very
fond of Lefort and of sitting to talk in his
rooms. They passed long evenings in chat
ting and smoking together before an open
window, which overlooked the vast gardens
of the Hotel Lafttc and the Hotel Roths-
child.
One day, Lefort arrived at the cafe with a
long face and an air of great dissatisfaction.
What is the matter;' said Deoamps.
The matter is, | am wretched a; having to
move from our apartment
Are you going to leave it
Yes, my landlord wanted to raise my rent
l resisted-he insisted. l grew angry, and
gave up the rooms. l am wretched now
You were so fond of these rooms.
All, well, take back your lease
The next day Lefort had still the long face
and the grieved air of the previous day. He
had wished 90 resume his lease. But it was
too late. The apartment was let for a term
of nine years.
Lelort must move in the month of October
His landlord informed him, however, in an
obliging manner, that the person who was to
succeed him would not arrive from the coun.
try till the middle of November. and that he
I had all that time to seek an apartment to suit
him; only Lelort must leave empty a part o
the suite of rooms to store the furniture OF
his successor Lefort consented to this Joy,
fully, and tho furniture of the new tenant was
+ brought in.
Meantime neoamps who saw him still Sc
p sorrowiul at having to quit his rooms, sal,
Q to him one day:
e There is perhaps some way to arrang
= with your new successor.
1 do not know him and don't wish to tr,
to make a bargain
Show me his furniture said Decamps
and | can guess what sort Of man he is
a Lefort conducted Decamps into tho room
, where the furniture Of the new tenant wa
y placed.
y Hum, hum said Decamps on casting hi
j. eyes over the articles; all this is simple
G comfortable, in good taste, furniture for al
I income of twenty thousand francs, lately re
t moved. 1t is the right sort Of man, or rath
er it is a woman; here is a woman's furniture
= this toilet, this wash table, this book stan,
!, Of inlaid work
y But the husband ?
= Il don't see any husband in the matter NJ
y masculine furniture, single bed, no bureau
we only want to know if she is a widow,
J young girl, an old maid
2 How shall we find out that ?
n lie opened the toilette table. There wa
,, a shell comb, to which was attached tw
c magnificent hairs of golden blond.
Good this hair does not belong to an oil
= woman let us look farther, lie perceive
t portrait turned against the wall lie turn
e ed the canvas. 1t was the portrait Of wo
/, man. blond, very pretty, painted in 1925 b
- Horsent.
l. Iii the portrait Of the lady said Decamps
e, 1T is the portrait Of married woman tn
d dress indicates it. This woman was abou
p twenty when it was painted. She must
'e still very pretty. She is an intelligent woman
i LOVING art, judge by the selection of th
e books in this library, by the music on tn
3, piano. My friend, you will not quit you
e apartment.
Is 1 must ask this lady TO give it up to M
Il then
" No, you must ask her TO share it with yol
d You must marry her
r you are mad, you are laughing at me-.
i speak very seriously. Your furntul
ID seems made to go with that of the lady, IN
}" suit Of rooms is too large for one of you alone
n il is exactly what is wanted for you two
- But | don't wish to marry
nd You are wrong. You are forty years old
at this lady suits you in every respect. St
es pleases me, this woman, and | wish you
nd marry her. Let me manage
th Leiort gave leave. When the lady can
at from the country, she was surprised to fiji
he her rooms occupied and her furniture double
l. Decamps awaited her. lie showed the Lao
OF the rooms arranged by himself and the portra
O. Of Lefort hung up opposite her own.
See, madame, said he, what wonderf
at harmony between these articles of Mrnitur