Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1873-12-24
Early Fruit.

1t was very cold at Nice; that is my
only excuse. Alas, by what slender
threads ones happiness depends:
1t was all arranged / was to marry
Mile. Louise early in June, and the Mar
quise, her mother, was commencing tC
treat me with something less than hel
customary reserve. She was a terrible
woman, that Marquise. BE treacher
ous,'' some one had told me. And 1 was
treacherous. At particularly trying mo-
ments looked in the eyes of my betroth.
ed, but one can form no idea of the
circumlocution had to employ to eX-
press to the Marquise the simplest things
in life. In speaking to me of the trous-
seau the word chemise made her blush,
and one day l caused her to leave the
room II don't know WHY, simply be-
cause l happened to mention pair OF
suspenders.
One evening Mile. Louise was even
more charming than was her wont. The
air was heavy with perfume. Coffee had
been served in the conservatory, we sat
beneath large magnolia trees, which were
fairly bowed down with fragrant bios
SONS. Seated quite close to her, sketch
ed a thousand projects for our future,
and while she listened with her great
blue eyes, fixed upon me, gaZed upon
her graceful head; her waving blonde
tress caught up from the neck; her light
robe rising in a snowy fraise at the throat
and descending to a point upon the bos-
som: and thought that in six weeks at
the longest she would be mine.
1t is so difficult to speak to young girls.
Every moment there came to my mind
stories which found too gay, and which
would certainly have frightened SO poetic
and ethereal nature.
So. having plunged into a senseless
anecdote which L did not know exactly
how to get out of, l said suddenly, in
order to change the conversation
''By the way, Mademoiselle, do you
like strawberries 20
II adore them,n she answered, with
a dainty little movement of the lips !:
''but suppose that it will be necessary
to wait little while.''
The fact is that it was only the be-
ginning of April, but L thought that one
could get anything in Paris, and that
very evening | sent my friend Raymond
the following despatch:
"Send me large box of strawberries
from Paris at any price. HECTOR"
Three hours afterwards | received the
reply:
Little pots make up a box. Will send
as soon as possible. RAYMOND. :"
Ny friend Raymond was Il jewel Be-
sides perfect taste and great amiability,
he was so fortunate as to possess Paris,
and, whenever | was away, | charged
him with my commissions. trusting as
much to him to order a coat as to for
ward me bouquet.
The next day, early in the morning,
resolved a great box. well bound, and
labelled with my address. 1t was enorm-
Gus, and it was frightful to think of the
number of little pots Raymond must
have purchased to be able to send me a
package of such respectable weight in so
short time. Under the circumstances,
my present became truly royal gift,
and the same day | sent it to my fiancee.
together with my daily bouquet of white
lilacs.
All that day l remained away from
Nine. de Boisenfort S, so that the effect
of my gift might be greater. The time
seemed very long. | could see Mile.
Louise opening my box, the eagerness
which her feminine curiosity would be
sure to give rise to. Then 7 imagined
her establishment at the sight of the con
tents. She would take a berry at random
(the largest, hold it delicately between
her slender fingerS-the little finger in
the air-I could see it all as though l
We're there-and nibble it with her white
teeth, making all sorts of grimaces as she
ate. Decidedly it was happy thought
to send to Paris
When evening came l presented my
self at the usual hour, studiously affect
ing the indifferent air of a gentleman
who does not think he has done anything
remarkable.
l opened the gate, and was a little
surprised not to find Mile. Louise in the
garden. Usually she came to meet me,
and, after cordial grasp of the hands,
we would enter the drawing-room to-
gether.
Bah - said to myself, II shall find
her in the greenhouse. And ascend
ed the steps.
She was there, to be sure. Her face
was flushed and her eyes swollen, as
though she had been crying. AS soon
as she perceived me she came forward
and said;
''Oh sir; it was very, very horrid of
you.''
Then, throwing me glance full of
reproach she left the place.
l commenced to feel little uneasy
npon entering the drawing-room. The
Marquise was asstandingbeforet themantel-
piece, erect and naughty, something like
the statue of the commander.
''You received my package?" asked
with my most amiable air.
''Yes, sir yes" ground out the Mar
quise. Il awaited the key to this puzzle.
And" continued she, Il consider it
was little too soon-much too soon.
''GoOd heavens, madame, these things
have no value unless they are sent before
the time for them-as early fruit, you
know
'.As early fruit, sir-as early fruit
You continue your absurd justification.
Leave the house. Neither i nor my
daughter will ever see you again. Leave
tle mouse
Twas stunned. l went away complete
" disconnected, asking myself if it was
not some frightful dream. Arriving at
the hotel. my servant handed me letter
from Raymond together with little
box:
MY DEAR FRIEND: send you the
strawberries you wish. Forgive me for
not having sent them sooner, and more
of them, but they are yet very rare. ***.n
Without finishing the letter, l tore
open the little box; it contained indeed
some magnificent Strawberries. What
was in the box of the previous evening,
then?
Afrightful suspicion crossed mymind.
All at once 1 uttered cry. There was
a postscript:
Il hope you received last evening the