The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-03-29
APRoPOsAL BEFORE SUPPER.
N Iavenel's Impolltic interruption Of
PhIIOmene's Outlet,

N L.avenel's ImpoIitic Interruption o
PhlI0mene's Outlet.
From "PhllOmenOS Marriages" by lIenrI GreSllle.
Philomenc, who, as we have said, did
not dislike good eating, was just about re,
moving from the fire a veal outlet with III
usual accompaniment of green peas, and
inhaled with vOluptuous melancholy the
appetizing odor Of her supper. Voluptu.
ously, one understands why; with melan.
Choly, because meat is SO dear! a hasty
hand knocked twice on the door and i'm.
mediately visitor entered.
"Ah! it Is you, NJ I.avenelP" said Philo.
meme, in tone that had nothing engaging
in it.
Eyes, neighbOr, it is myself; do dis.
turb you?p
Tho widow had had time to cover the
saucepan and to deposit It on the hearth;
she approached the intruder, saying to
him:-
"Oh! no; oh! now exactly as though
she had said: "0h yes; oh! yes?"
You see, l gathered some cherries q
little while ago, before the rain, Nine
Crepin-they arc not wet don't be afraid
and l have brought you a few"
The few cherries quite filled basket,
which their owner placed on the table,
with that sort Of pride which It is agreed
TO call modesty.
"But, Mr.. I.avenal, shall never eat all
thosew exclaimed the widow little
softened.
you can make them into preserves"
returned the gallant visitor.
Sugar Is SO dear" murmured Philo.
meme, contemplating the cherries with
sad eye.
"Bah" said the bachelor with an easy
mir; sin your position one can procure
ones self many sweetest"
"Thnt is where you deceive YOURSELF"
energetically answered Nine Crepin.
You must not imagine that am we'll Off;
| have hardly enough to make the two
ends meet, and only SO by depriying my
self OF everything!"
Anyhow, don't deprive yourself of
cherries; here are some that only ask 10
be eaten"
Lavenel, with an absent air, plunged his
hand into the basket and took ont a hand
full Of fruit, which lie began TO nibbIe
slowly, keeping the stems and pits in his
left hand. Phil9mene looked ct him with
q curious air; he raised his head aud met
her look, which instantly became full Of
sweetness. Happily" though Layenel,
81 know you-or otherwise ] should think
you as sweet as honey. All! that would
be an illusionw As this phrase could not
be translated into civilized language, he
added, out loud:
"You distress yourself great deal, do
you not, Nine Crepin?"
"About what, my dear monsieur" the
widow asked, prudently.
"Why, about everything! At being
alone, at being widow, for having lost
your children" Philomene wiped her
eyes. "At seeing your affairs drag on so
long without ending Do you wish me
to say something? It needs 0 man 10 car.
ry on all thntl You will never got out of
Il all alone!"
"They have told inc so,n observed Phil
omene, with wise air. After half q SEQ.
ond, she added: "But have no relations
near enough to burthen themselves with
my affairs"
at is not necessary to be related,
in order to help another, neighbour" re-
turned Lavenel, after having allowed an
aprreciable time to elRpse, as though he
had been mcditating his ansWerI VI am
not relation Of yours, but il can be of
service to You In anything
ooh! NJ Lavenel, YOU know very well
that could not DO! What would they
say OF II round about2" said Philomene,
modestly lowering her eyes.
"They can say what they choose, neigh
Dor, and then, all that they might sQy,
would not, perhaps, DO fur off from the
truth"
Philomene, who had remained standing
until then, sat down, turning her back to
the light, Lavenel, in order TO master his
eloQuence the better, laid on the corner OF
the table the little heap Of stems and pits
that he held In his hand.
"They will say, you have friendship
for me, and that / have the same for you.
As far as concerns myself, at least, they
will not lie, for l have a friendship for
you, Nine Crepin, and great deal of itw
Nine. Crepin smiled family, and her in
terocutor sat down opposite to her.
of you would" continued he, conf.
dentiaIly, 1--WE might Inakea pairo friends,
YOU orc In q nice position"
"Ah! ne!ghhor, ! am very poor; do
not know who could have spoken to you
about my position; certainly 1t is not an
enviable one!
"WelI, then, neighbor, you must change
it for another" triumphantly continued
I.aveneI.
"You talk very easily about it," muir
INJURED Philomeno, making some little folds
in her apron, which she hold In her loft
hand,
"You haye only word to say, Nine.
Crepin," prolIered l.avenel, rising and
placing his hand oil his l.eart; Theodore
you his hand and his fortune!n
Ph.lomenc continued to gather together
two or three more little folds Of stuff, then
she opened her hand and let them all es-
cape at once. "You do me great deal Of
honor, neighbour" she answered in a
wheeling voice.
"Do you accept?' cried the grain and
flour merchant, making a step toward
her.
HExcuse me, neighbor, do not like
trade" s0ia Philomene, with the same
sweet voice,
I.ayCncl stood supplied, Ills mouth hall
open; nothing had made him ioresee this
answer. Tie widow was not in the habit
OF being, according to the language OF the
country, "more amiabe than Is necessary
and certainly she lad received her visitor
very well until then; tho latter nigh
therefore have prided himself on hei
especial kindness; whence came this un
expected retusalH This he asked her n!
soon as his surprise permitted him t
FHI do not like trade" repeated Nine
Crepin, with an alRiablp smile, "yor
know it well, neighbor; for since ! Law