Litchfield enquirer., 1880-06-10
WHOLE NO. a2796

cried, laughing 'It strikes me that my friend Ledoux is too timid !; perhaps he's 8 Moderate Republican" ..-.. "Yes yes," assented the audience, amused {; ''hes Moderate"
 "Ah, wel I don't like Moderates-glve me only thoroughgoing men. I'd deny my best friend if he was a Moderate. Ledoux, m my boy, you'll have to mend your man. ners."
 All this was to much for the disgusted Pas cal who beat retreat, leaving Marius in the cafe, and ran off to M. Marsaults house. He forgot, as he ran in, that Rosalie had not seen him since the accident that had befallen his nose, and he could not at first understand why she screamed and put her hand to her heart on perceiving hlm. When he remembered the truth, poor wretch! he colored and said: "Ob Mademoiselle, I hope do not seem too hor- rible to you with my disagreement; recoTlect it was in duel that got this wound l"
 ''Oh, yes, M. Ledoux forgive noe for being so disturbed" she answered, faintly. "I shall get used to the s--sight of this accident. But where is M. Bougeard? Papa tells me he had begged you to invite him to luncheon with us."
 "Ah, Mademoiselle, 1 regret to say that we have been cruelty deceived in this mau, who is behaving disgracefully," said Pascal and he gave an account of what had passed at the cafe. s5
 Poor fellow! After his many privations, a glass of champagne was naturally too strong for hlm, remarked Rosalie, compassionately. You should not have left him alone at the cafe, M. Ledoux."
 ''But really, Mademoiselle, he wouldn't come with me-"
 ''No, no, it wasn't kind of you, M. Ledoux. to leave him in this way"
 But, Mademoiselle, he wasn't in a fit state to be presented to you"
 ''Ah! now you are ungenerous," pouted the spoiled beauty '1 shan't make my peace with you unless you go back to the cafe this minute and bring onr poor friend home to luncheon" {"
 There was nothing for it but to obey; so Pascal started for the cafe, but on arriving there found his bird had flown. The landlord could only say that NJ. Beugeard had gone out with number of other gentleman, but he did not know where. Fearful to return to NJ. Marsaults without him, Pascal hunted for the rogue all over the town for the next two hours He even went to the Police station to look for him but all in vaIn. At last he returned crestfallen to the notary's house, and was sur prised to hear the sounds of laughter anu jolli- ty issuing from the dining room. He fancied he could detect Marius's voice; and, sure enough, when he entered the room he saw the sx-COmmunist seated beside ROsalie, and mak ing her merry with his sallies. M Marsault and old Benot were present, too, and, as hap py as grigs. They had all been lunching pleas antly, and were now taking coffee.
 ''Oh, M. Ledoux, I am 80 sorry M Bou. geard came in with papa almost immediately after you had gone," exclaimed Rosalie, cool
 'I wish you had sent after me to say so, re- sponded Ledoux. fairly nettled fUr once.
 "Well, never mind don't be cross and dis agreeable, but come and have some coffee, {" said the damsel with witching smile. ''M. Bougeard has been telling us his adventures; and do you know, we have all advised him to come forward as a candidate for the Lower House at the next election in Ville-Aubry ?"
 "Why, but am to be the Liberal candidate at the next election" ejaculated Ledoux, by no means pleased. ..L
 Couldn't you cede your turn to M. Bou- geard ?" inquired Rosalie.
 "But why should do SOP" said Pascal.
 Because 1 ask you" replied Rosalie, sweet ly. .t- ......
 The nonplussed barrister made no reply, but sat down gleomily and stirred his coffee, while old Marsault, giving him slap on the thigh, chuckled: 'Humor Rosalie, my lad you'll find it safe play in the end"
 To have picked man out of jail, to have paid his debts, to have sacrificed half ones nose for him, and then to find in him a rival this is a fate which must be pronounced hard. Pascal Ledoux was the most long g-suffering of men; indulgent in his judgment of others and slow to take offense; but philanthropy was hobby which he did not care to ride too hard. We have explained that he was am- bilious, and 80 a consideration for number one formed part of his scheme of life. When he discovered that Marus Bougeard was begin ming to sup2lant him in popularity, he thought the time had come for asserting himself as he had never done before. The gallant Marius had gone to live with his uncle; public ban quet had been given him in Ville-Aubry the Mayor had kissed him on both cheeks and a deputatiOn of working men had presented him with memorial, begging that he would come forward as a representative of the Radical de- mocracy on the first parliamentary vacancy. A vacancy opportunely occurred soon after ward, and Marius launched his addresses on scarlet paper Pascal Ledoux retaliated by is- suing some of his own on pink. He and the eA-Communist had by that time ceased to be on speaking terms. They bowed when they met-that was all. d.
 The Liberals of the town organized con- mittee, which sat to adjudcate upon the merits of the two candidates, and Pascal Ledoux was summoned to appear before it. To his anger and modification, he was told that, in order to prevent the loss of a seat to the Liberals, he ought to retire in the ex-Communist's favor. All the arguments which he could adduce to the contrary were listened to with disapprO- val
 'But 1 won't retire !" he exclaimed at length. 1.-The man IS scamp: why should make room for him ?" x 1T.
 How can you call him a scamp, since you fought to prove that he was a honorable man?"
 And made countless speeches to persuade us all of the same thing" t ..-fI
 Brother Ledoux's personal ambition seems to be carrying him away into forgetfulness of old friends" remarked the President of the Liberal committee sternly. |" rt....
 That man is not friend of mne" shouted LedOux, beside himself. "I deplore my folly in wasting a nose on him 1; 1 regret the speech es n,ade 1 will never again make such a dolt of myself as I did on this Amnesty ques- ton"
 Having said this, Ledoux resolved to push on his caAidature, hap what might sut the co nseQuence was that the next time he went to call on Rosalie, access to her presence was denied him, though he had the modification of perceiving his rivals Marius] overeoat and umbrella in the front hall. NJ. Marsault, how. ever. on hearing his voice, came out and beg ged him to walk into his study. Here the two had scene ''I am sorry for your sake, Ledoux, that you should persist in thwsrting my daughters wishes," said the notary. flor this naturally makes her doubt the sincerity of your affection"
 ''Se it seems can only prove my affection by making way on all occasions tSr a. rival, who is no doubt trying to steal Mile. Rnsalie's heart from me !" exclaimed Pascal, bitterly.
 ''If you are losing my daughters heart il is all your own fault, for you know what an i'm terest she takes in this poor young fellow. who has suffered so much"
 ttAnd you think this interest proper? Per haps you desire that Msrius Bougeard should become your son-in-law, NJ. Marsault 1? Are you sure that you are not desiring 60 break of with me from inability to pay that dover of three hundred thousand francs which you promised me on the day when I married vnur