The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1877-10-11
A FATAL MARK,

All was gayety and hustle at that
deseryedly admired and popular spa,
Chaudfontaine, spot more highly gifted
by nature than any other in Belgium
The unusual circumstance of a marriage
having taken place there, to the great
amusement and satisfaction of the visi-
tors and immediate neigh borhood and
the real Joy of the parties concerned,
filled the persons congregated on the oc-
casion with perfect ecstasy.
Jules Duviyier, a subaltern in the
French lancers, had left his division of
the army in Spain, having received a
severe wound at the battle of Salamanca,
which compelled him for time, by the
advice of his medical attendants, to seek
the reviving air of his native hills, stu
ated in the vicinity of Diego. Arrived
here, he quickly recovered, and had al
ready made up his mind to leave the
neighborhood of Chaudfontaine, when
he accidentally met Mile. Halliere, a
Swiss by birth, who was here enjoying at
once the pleasures of society and the adj
vantages derived from the admirable
waters of the place.
~ bilOcC VIM bdNC "dltl-
ing-places it will be necessary to diIate
upon the ease with which mere acquaint-
ances grow into intimacies. Thrown
continually in each others society, free
from the restraint of city life, admiring
beautiful scenery together, the best feel
ings of their nature expanding with the
clear blue sky above them, can we'won-
der ut the circumstance or blame the
young lancer for falling violently, pas
sionately in love with the fascinating
Marie de Halliers.
To account for this, to reason on it, is
necessary. Suffice it to say that Jules
became desperately enamored of the
lovely girl, and in less than three weeks
found his suit not only approved but
his hand accepted. Mile. de Halliere
had no one to consult; no kind, affection
ate father, uncle or guardian to thwart
her wishes. An orphan for many years,
living on limited but independent
patrimony, derived, as she asserted, from
small estate left to her by her father,
she did not hesitate to pronounce full
affirmative to the warm solicitations of
our hero (for jules was hero) to become
his bride.
During their courtship, if the pointed
and lover-like attentions of youth to a
young lady during fifteen days may be 50
called, there were many who strove their
utmost to mar the match A prudent
dowager, marchioness without a single
son, her only riches consisting of six ugly
daughters, had whispered her advice to
the lancer to find out first "who and
what the young lady was before he
further compromised himself
Another female-a rival belle, | be-
ieve-ingeniously limited that "Mlle
Halliere always wore high gowns to hide
the marks of certain royal disorder, to
cure which she had doubtless sought the
spa" Another, rejected sutton, swore,
she was a widow, and that her name was
assumed" But Jules laughed at these
remarks and only loved her the better
for the envy she excited. 1t is true, he
sometimes wished that she would speak
of her past life in less ambiguous terms,
and as frequently he determined to
question her on it; but when they met
that thought was forgotten, and, with
truth and innocence beaming in her
countenance, the young soldier felt it
would be blasphemy to doubt her
The result need scarcely be told; the
morning on which this sketch opens be-
held Marie the bride, the beauteous
bride, of proud Jules, who, after par
taking of sumptuous breakfast, given
by him to large party of congratulate
ing friends, started off in high spirits for
the chateau of his uncle, situated near
Bruges, determined to linger some few
days on the road, and thus enjoy, in low
ing seltishness, the uninterrupted society
OF her whose very life he felt himself to
be-
At about u o'clock of the fifth day,
the young married couple arrived at
Bruges, having hurried past the many
objects of interest which presented them
selves on their journey, in consequence
of the most earnest solicitation to ioin
their good old relative, whose handsome
seat was at no great distance from the
capital of West Flanders. Here they
halted at the principle hotel, intending
after dinner TO set out for the residence
of their uncle. To save time and trouble
they joined the table dhOte which here
as throughout Flanders, takes place at
one O'Clock. BY the time, therefore,
that the lady had performed those little
dgremens de toilefte' incident to an APP
pearance before strangers, the great bell
sounded, and as Jules handed down his
lovely bride, the already loud clatter of
forks and spoons bespoke the fact that
the substantial meal was already begun.
On entering the room they found about
forty persons seated, all greedily en-
ployed IN devouring their soup, scarcely
deigning to look toward the strangers
who came in. In France, under similar
circumstances, dozen gentlemen would
have risen to offer their seats TO the lady.
In Belgium, however, it is different, aud
each honest burgher eats his meal.
scrambling both for the best seat and
dalntiest dish, without the slightest at
tention TO either rank or sex.
1t was an unfortunate circumstance,
the loving pair TO be divided thus early
IN their honeymoon, but so on the pres
ent occasion they were compelled to be.
Two chairs alone stood unoccupied, and
these were far apart, while, if possible To
make the separation more diSagreeable,
they happened 10 be on the same side of
the table, 50 that not even an interchar ge
vi S4ahces could take place, no words
pass, save for the benefit of few stupid
intervening citizens-a benefit which
neither party was anxious to confer upon
TWEEN.
As strangers, therefore, they sat down
10 table, consoling themselves with the
confident assurance that their separation
could not continue above an hour. ana
that then a thousand extra caresses MIGHT
make up their lost portion of "loYe's
sweet interchange. Poor Jules, how
ever, was far too much enamored IN sit
down philosophically and enjoy his meal
with appetite. His eyes roved about him
till they fixed, in some establishment. on
hls opposite neighbor, who, having coollv
LAID down his knife and fork, sat anX-
iously gazing at Marie. At first jules
thought it migdt be accident. some casu-
ut resemblance might have struck him: