Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-04-28

talnly, II the marriage depended
only on hermother, she would have
demanded all the dispensations in
the world in order to have it cele-
brated on the spotl
But Goutran had counted with
out Baron-au old roue-who in
yited him into his study and spoke
to him in these terms:
"You are very reasonable youth,
too reasonable even, for it is pre-.
ciSely your wisdom that frightens
me for the future of my daughter.
You see, my friend, each one of us
has, so to speak, an amount of pas
sion to expend in the course of his
life. The savings made on that
capital in youth are spent at ripper
age. Because you are yirtuous TO.
day, | presume that you will net be
so tomorrow, and the happiness
and dowfy of my daughter would
have too much to suffer. So them
Enough, Monsieur le Baron.
have understood" He took his hat
and went.
"To the devil with these girls
who have step-fathersl" muttered
he when he was in the street. "One
repulses me on account Of my fol-
lies, the other because of my wis
dom. Let us try the widows. |
shall perhaps be more fortunate. :"
be was acquainted with one, the
wittiest and the most charming
She had lost her husband six
months before, and she wore her
mourning with am affected melan-
choly which rendered her beauty
the more provoking and attractive.
There are women with whom sor-
row becomes a means of fascina-
ton and coqueGry besides.
He presents himself, does the
agreeable, and triumphs, without
difficulty, over the crowd of COM
morplace adorers a rich and pretty
widow necessarily attracts around
her.
The Viscountess (for she was one
in her own right wished nothing
better than to allow herself to be
persuaded. She accepted Goutran.
on condition that they would make,
once a year, a pious pilgrimage to
the tomb of the deceased.
''Poor lie coupe, my fate is de-
cided," said the Marquis, arranging
artistically on the wedding evening
the bow Of his crayat.
They entered the carriage; they
arrived at the "Mairie." Ia descend
ing, the bridal robe caught in the
handle of the carriage door, and
was torn.
"Ohl the little fool!' muttered
Goutran between his teeth.
They enter the hall of l'Etal Civil
The first deputy, having previously
adjusted his spectacles on his mu-
nicipal nose, pronounces the saora-
mental formula:
Monsieur de B., will you take
for your wife Madame the widow
Viscountess X. here present."
"Oui, Monsieur"
Madame the widow X. will you
have for your husband Monsieur
the Marquis de B. here present"
"Non, Monsieur, am too fool
ish for so intelligent a husband"
And she proudly walked away
leaving the witnesses stupefed and
Goutran stunned.
He swore to be revenged. Was
it the sense of yesterdays insult?
Was it resentment for by-gone
burning hours, that caused him to
kneel, some weeks after, before the
susceptible Viscountess?
"Let us see, Goutran, l was crazy
that eveningl Forgive me-"
81 have SO completely forgiven
you, Madame, that | supplicate you
once again to bestow upon me your
hand"
ooh! my friend, be sure that this |
time" and thereupon they return
to the "Mairie."
The deputy, who feared new
freak from the young widow, ad.
dressed first to her, contrary to
rule, the customary
question:
"Oui, Monsieur" she replied.
"And you, Monsieur lie Mar
luis Z"
Non, Monsieur, l will not have
for a wife cne who for an insignif-
can't word, lightly said, breaks.
With a light heart, her most sacred
engagement"
Tableaul
The widow-doubly a widow, by
the by-fainted. Goutran with
drew, well satisfied with his re-
yenge, but despairing, after such a
series of disasters had overwhelmed
him without mercy, of ever being
lble to get married! Returning to
lis home, he remembered that he
lad given his servant leave of
absence for the night. He went to
sleep on the sofa.
Toward 6 o'clock he was awak-
ened with start, by the sharp