Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1879-05-06
awrRANs1RNr BILLs-cAsH.
| vim only repea. whas

when married. / had Q great name and
small dowry, and my husband was very little
richer than l. / endured our moderate cir
cumstsnces without complaining, but he
guessed the trouble, aud undertook 20 in
crease our means by speculations, which
ended disastrously, so that when he died hs
owed l00, 900 francs. I did not hesitate q
second to give up my small fortune in order
to bequeath to my daughter an unblemished
name. A rich relation settled an income on
me on condition of my never marrying no
more. Tell me, sir, eau deprive this little
daughter of those luxuries which are the ne
cessities to so delicate child? said, apd
repeat, what would become of us, If loved
you, since you are dependent on teaching
German for your liyingg
e.s...It is in that, Madame, that my crime
looms up in gigantic proportions. do nos
know word of German"
"What2 You have not even that fe>
source?'' o.
"No." said NIederic, smiling, "but have
an income Of zoo, 900 francs, which perhaps,
will partly make up for it."
Then he confessed everything-his name,
shis visit to the church and his talk with his
friends-except that he didn't mention his
friends name, aud he wished to devise .
theatrical sensation for the latter's benefit.
He had so submissive au air, his speech was
so persuasive that the lady of the blue hat
consented to allow tho extcnuation circum-'
stances in his favor. She did not even in>
sist very strenously upon knowing the psme
of tho oficious friend who had trumpeted
her merits so loudly.
"Doubtlcs, !" sho said gayly, ''it is one of
my bankers friends who persists in thinking
have done fuo thing, as tho world goes.
We live in time SO morally disturbed that
they who do their plain duty are regarded
as heroes"
Mederic went home intoxicated with joy.
His head was in tho clouds, and he felt like
stopping now and then. lest he should knock
off star or two. And yet the lady had by
no means said yes. Still less had she said
The Marquis found his friend Paul at his
house.
"My dear Medoric." !" said Paul, '.I havea a
confession to make. When came here three
weeks ago, 1 swear by my hoary headed
ancestors that had the most disinterested
dcsiro to see you married. 1 had pearl in
my hand that would have given you on tho
spot; but it is we'll to distrust your frst
thought, because that is only good-it is Sec
ond thoughts which are best. When / found
myself alone, I still said, 'Ycs, Moderio shall
be happy. / haven't a better friend in the
world But rs I was walking along began
to reflect Yes, I have better friend now
than Mederic-that friend is myself re-
turned to tho beautiful widows and begged
her not TO go 10 the Church OF Saint Roch.
or if she couldn't possibly stay nwsy. At least
not to wear tho pretty hat she wanted TO
wear for tho first time for good luck. She
laughed, she blushed, she laughed again.
Then mustered up all my courage. j said
to her, Il love you, my cousin And sho
said, 'My cousin, know it, And SO my
dear Medcric, have come to invite you 20
tho Wedding But, now, take my hand for
l have betrayed friendship. Ono word, how
ever; have come and come again several
times in hopes of meeting you. believed
you had closed your doors me aud felt ike
taking offense, but fually contented mysoH
with writing to you"
al did not get your letter"
81 thought you were furious at not meot-
ing the lady in the blue hat"
Il did meet her, and met her to such pur-
pose that am engaged to her aud now ask
you to my wedding. Only it was q white sad
blue hat"
II did not get your letter"
al don't understand" cried the two friends
in chorus, as if they had been actors nt tho
Opera Comique.
II want to own up" muttered the valet,
falling on his knees before bis master.
There is only one culpri. here. and thas ID
me! First. told Monsieur the Marquis thas
Monsieur the Viscount was out of town; seo-
ond, l closed the door on Monsiuer the Wis.
count. / suppressed the letters Of both gem
tlemen. To be brief, acted like rascal.
and, what is harder to admit, like . fool.
wanted TO prevent my master from marrying
and was ass enough TO put him in the way
of it. If it hadn't been for my folly you two
gentlemen would have met the next day After
that total Sunday. You'd laughed . liiflo
about it at the club. Monsieur the Marquis
would have retired from the affair as soon a.
he perceived the feelings of the Viscount 80
ward his cousin, and there would have been
an end of it."
THE rascal is right" cried Paul. "He
has been the necessary obstacle which makes
these things successful"
WELL" responded Mederic, "ii my wife
doesn't take dislike to him, I'll keep him"
''Mousieur the Marquis does me great
honor" said the valet, "but am bound to
leave his service. have sworn to follow the
! example Of my ancestors, who died bachel-
org, every one of them, and who never would
consent to go out to service with married
people. must religiOusly keep the promise
! 1 medo to myself"
Mcderic married the lady with the biue
! hat Paul married bis cousin. The two
households are perfectly happy, and there
| are plenty of children. too. Mederic has
! given up his German lessons. The little girl
| has an excellent teacher, but she thinks he
doesn't begin to teach her as much or rs well
| as her dear papa.
| 81 have been intending for several years."
said the Marquis one day to his wife, "to ask
an explanation; but we've always had some.
thing else to talk about when we were alone.
! What kind of hat YVES it you wore at Sc.