Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-07-10
A PHOTOGRAPH FROM LIFE.

certain day in the usually quiet house
hold Of al. Borno, by letter from the
married daughter, Nine Artois, who
resided in Rome, III which she informed
her parents that a sutton for her sister
Elise would soon appear at VIllefieurs.
And she further told them that this M.
A. de Villain, young man of good
birth and with a comfortable fortune,
had been struck with a photograph in
a shop window-sO struck and charmed
that he felt he must try every means to
win the original for his wife. This pho
tograph turned out to be one of her
young sisters that she had sent to be
copied, and seeing that the young mau
was in earnest, she had promised to
write and introduce him as an unex-
ceptionable palti Nine. Artois wound
up by reminding her father that Elise
was no longer a girl, and, that, in fact,
it would be very foolish not TO accept
this bit of good fortune.
1t was therefore agreed, in q family
conclave, the fair Elise conserving, and
with the due approval of the family
friend, NJ de Beandi, that the coming
guest should be graciously received.
NJ. de Belandi even insisted on having
him in his own house. as he l8ughingly
said, in order that he might the better
Judge if this M. A. de VILLAIN vas
worthy of the prize he sought.
Among the numerous and various
visitors to the beautiful southern city,
Vlllefeurs, with its girdle of mountains
and blue waves, few could help remark
ing, in the gay crowd on the prOmen-
ade or in the public gardens, a girl al
most always accompanied by a favOrite
dog, whose elegant and quiet toilet, as
well as her graceful walk and the piqu-
ant expression of her face, always made
one wish to look again. 1t was an at
tractive face, rather than decidedly
beautiful, generally wearing a thought
ful look, which, however, was often
frightened by smile which prettily
curled her lips. There was quiet ele-
gance about her, although different
from the fashionable ladies, English,
French, German, or Russian, who rested
on the chairs or paced up and down.
Generally might be seen at her side NJ.
de Belandi, a man past youth, but with
a vigorous, spare frame, whose keen,
dark eyes seemed to take notice of
everything, but were often turned
the tender familiar interest of a
privileged friend. NJ. de Belandi was
rich, and having no particular occu-
patton, he made himself useful to his
friends in general, but to those of the
Maison Borne in particular. Thither
he brought all the news of the place to
amuse NJ. Borno, who was too old and
infirm to 60 out. He could tell of the
last offense given to the old inhabitants
of Vlliefleurs by the new French
corners, and the latest reform In town
regulations. He could say what was
the prospect of the olive and grape
crops. etc. He was always ready to
escort Mile. Elise to the theatre or try
a new song with her. He was a con-
venient partner at ball or patient
companion for a mornings shopping.
Moreover, NJ. de Belandi's taste was q
proverb All this made his visits to the
old Maison Pontneut very welcome, and
with him seemed to come little watt
from the outer world to the very retired
sombre street in which many of the old
NllleHeurs aristOcracy resided, with
drawn from the newer part of the town
to which visitors resorted. To look at
it from the outside, one would not
imagine the quaint ami rich carvings
which adorned the walls or the broad
marble steps and handsome suite of
rooms which belonged to this house.
In the simple and quiet manner COM
mon to the old inhabitants of the
place, the principal amusement and
luxury being TO retire now and then
to the Maison de Champagne, lived the
Bornos with their youngest child, two
other daughters having married salts
factorily. Nor were the old couple
very eager for her to follow her sisters
example, in spite of the hints of their
acquaintance, and M. de Belandi's
serious warning, given every now and
then, that it was really high time TO
marry her" ''Such an agreeable,
amiable, gentle girl! it was a pity, and
very astonishing. All her contempt
raries were married, or about to be so;
and Elise was nearly Up AT this the
old father would look troubled, and,
Struggling his shoulders, ask what his
friend would have. Could he do no
more2 Had there not been two or
three eligible proposals? But the girl
had refused them ALL Elise was duti-
full and the light of their old days; and
it was surely not their duty to force her
into matrimony, if she evidently pre-
ferred TO remain as she was.
To this NJ. de Belandi said nothing,
but looked relieved for his visits to the
Maison Pontneuf would have been very
different without Elise. But on hearing
the letter of Mime. Artois, speaking so
highly of the young man, and even APP
pealing to himself to use his influence
in favor of the match, he threw himself
calamity into the spirit of the adven-
gence Office 10 receive and welcome M
A. de VILLAIN, whose first visit to the
Maison Pontneuf was paid in his COM
pany, his easy, genial manners and real
kindness helping 10 put every one at
ease, and to draw out the nervous and
somewhat over-agilated.
When it was over, they all agreed that
not a word too much had been said in
his praise. His manner was all that
could be desired; while it was evident
that he was very much in love. On the
other hand M. de Villain poured out to
his kind host mis- contentment and satls-
faction. There was no disappointment,
Elise was better than her picture; and
each time he saw her he found some
new perfection. Truly she was one of