Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-01-17

ooh, shceking," and madame looked rigid
with astonishInent. A" But il the engagement
were broken she would never lind a Husband
after such an intimacy"
That would make no difference" l re-
joined, 'unleSs girl were engaged six or seven
years, and the man broke his eng Agement then,
as sometimes happens. She would have lost
her fresh young beauty, and her heart might be
so set on her fslthless lover that no other could
ever take his place"
"Ah," said Madame, "our Young girls are at
least saved from all pains OF the heart
1" And they are kept from indecOrous flirting
and m2nUuvres to attract attention, too, ;" said
I, with glance at nay young Americans--not
that they needed the hint particularly, how
ever.
Belle, spiritedly. Don't you remember that
odiOus Madame T., with her yellow curl5. and
the young officer at the Grand Hotel? | never
saw any such flirting in America"
"DOn't talk, girls" said Emily, al want to
hear about the third marriage"
"Well," resumed madame, }" al felt good
formed a subject of conversation at my next re-
ceptiOn. Il am dsgusted,' said Madame Bel
val. Il have been trying all winter to bring
about a marriage between two of my friends,
and il has failed at last. 1 will never try again
If live a thousand years. Il am ready to try
again Tomorrow pray, be so kind as to give
me some assistance, them said Madame c.,
wife of the Minister of Marine. Il am looking
for suitable wife for Emile, as am very de-
sirous that he should marry. Young men are
exposed to SO many temptatiO in Paris-ac-
tTesSes and grisettes, and all that kind of thing
enough to drive a mother distracted. Emile
will be twenty-five next month";"
d" should think he was Ol / enough to ind a
wife for himself" whispered Alice.
"'Hls salary Is twelve thousand francs, viii n
IS not bad for young man, and his father will
DO something more for him when he marries.'
u know girl that will suit him exactly cried
Madame Belyll, eagerly, forgetting, like Rip
' an Wrinkle, that she had 'swOre or" This
is an Interpolation. I am afraid the French
ladies had not the pleasure OF being acquainted
with Monsieur Van Winkle.) "'The admini>-
traitor of the Lyons railway has daughter AL
most nineteen, the most amabie, the most
lovely, and her father will give her hundred
thousand francs. THAT is very reasonable
said Madame G.. L shall be under everlasting
Obligation TO you II yOa will speak to him OF our
son. with the greatest pleasure in the world
"Madame Belyil had an interview with the
administrator of railways. He would make in
quiries about the young man. The result was
satisfactory, and in a week the friends Of both
families, including NJ. Lefort and myself re-
ceived an invitation to sOires at Madame Bel
Wis, where the two young people would meet
for the first time. 1t was very embarrassing
for them in the presence of so MANY curious
observers. MademOiselle ThereSe was lovely,
with long fair curls and that delicate blond
beauty which is so rare in France. pitied the
poor child, she was so distressed at the thought
of being on exhibition, as it were, and looked
pale and then flushed alternately"
90 am glad l am not a French GIRL" said
Helen.
50 And the young man was scarcely less agi.
tated. They hardly dared to look at each
Other, and were as silent as deaf mutes the
whole evening. The next day his father made
formal demand of VI. Thouvel for the hand of
his daughter
=" His father! and the young man had moth
ing TO do with it?'' exclaimed Belle amazed.
" Marriages are always arranged by the pa
rents with u.s." said madame. an. ThouveI
gave an affirmative answer and the marriage
took place shortly after, as is usual in France"
:" And shall You be married in that way,
Clarice?" asked Alice cOmpassionately of III al
ame's pretty young daughter.
''HOw else: / am not going to America
LiyDiRcOf's.