The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-07-22

"No; his wife who is charming but is
always invisible Society sees her no
more
Merisi now waited anxiously for an
other find in the coupe. But, alas for
n whole week neither notebook nor any
thing else was forgotten. But the little
saint, who spent her time so piously.
occupied his mind necessarily. SO he
said one evening to the coachman
81 have discovered that my coupe is
also used by Nine. de Belroy. Do not
deny it; | am sure. Now, / am curious to
see this lady. Tell me where might do
so"
"Well, sir, every morning at nine
o'clock take her TO mass at the Church
of st. Philippe"
Next morning NJ. de Merisi was pune
tual, and saw his saint at her devotions
II seemed to him that never before had
he seen such lovely face. She was
still in mourning. She wore a small
bonnet of black tulle, which framed her
lovely blonde hair; long veil of black
gauze hung down on the train of her
dress, which was of dead black silk, trim
med with black surah. In her black
gloved hands were a missal full of saints
pictures and Illuminated texts.
Merisi paid little attention to the
mass.
"Ah," thought he, ''if had known
there was on earth such a woman
beautiful, young, modest and stunning
society-oh !! | would have adored her.
How gracefully she makes the sign of
the cross She is a little saint. But
that Julius--who the deuce can he be 2"
From this moment Monsieur de Merisi
hung upon her steps. He saw her every
morning at the church of St. Philippe,
and tollowc,. her coupe in another oie.
Her route was nearly always the same
To her grandmother's, to the parish
priests, to the Sisters Of Charity, to her
lawyers Office, and a long stay at house
on the Boulevard st. Michel
AT last De Merisi came to the conclu
sion that he was fool lie was occu-
pied with Nine de Belroy to such de-
gree that he neglected for her sake the
affairs for which he had come to Paris.
There was only one thing to be done
to ask permission to be presented to her
aud to pay his addresses to her. His
state of mind was becoming intolerable
So one day, at the club, he said to NJ dc
Villeperte, who was nicknamed tie
"Elte Directory"
'Do you know the Belroy family, Vile
perte?'
"Very well, indeed; but there's moi
many left-only the grandmother and
daughter-in-law"
"Could you present me?'
'Iium-not easily; the grandmotheris
so years old; the young widow is nearly
always in the country and lives very re
tired since the death of her husband
"Come, now, as a great favor to me.
"Well, I'll see"
''But at once, because I'm going to &C
away"
"Well, I'll go tomorrow and see the
grandmother"
Are you acquainted with the young
widow, too?"
''Known her ever since she was born
my dear boy; handsome, distinguished
| and graceful woman.
"And she is-hum-hum-nevc beer
any scandal about her, has there
Nilleperte arose with such preci pita
ton that he overturned his chair.
"What do you meant" he roared
Mime. de Belroy Why, not a whspe
has been heard"
Outwardly discomfitted, but inward,
rejoicing, Merisi abased himself befor
his indignant friend,an finally succeed
ed in making his peace.
The next morning he again FOLLOWED
the charming widow, who spent he
time as usual The stay which she mad
at the boulevard st. Michel, however
seemed little longer than usual An,
it seemed to him when she came out tina
her toilet was little dsarranged lie
hair was dishevelled, her hat awry, an,
her collar rumpled. But after som
moments of jealous rage, the answer o
Monsieur de Villeperte came to his min'
and he quickly repented of his distrusi
The grandmother had been very amia
BILE, and had given Monsieur de Vile
perte permission to present his friend
This was soon done and Monsieur d
Merisi fell deeper in love than before, i
it were possible. The old lady befriend
ed him, too. He was her partner at tn
card table, and used to read to her news
| papers and the newest of novels. Ill
was a clever fellow, was DIR. Merisi.
But he was suspicious fellow, w,too,an'
he had retained the coupe, hoping agaiI
to find the note which had so deeply in
terested him. Julius" stuck in hi
memory. But his researches were ia
from successful, Being more and NOR
captivated by Nine. de Belroy,he at las
dared to declare his intention, and wa
strangly supported by the grandmother
Mime. de Belroy did not say NO." ant
so the engagement began.
One day De Meris leaped into hi
coupe to make purchase required b.
his new situation--an engagement RIM
of fabulous value and exquisite taste
The gray notebook was there III
| openedit. The memorandum had change,
very little:
"The lawyers, the priests; the mill
ner's flowers; bring Julius his shake.
A shakol Not one of the friends of tn
Belroy family was in the army wha
could it mean? With feverish haste h
turned the card over Alas he foun
too easily the meaning.
"lle looks adorable with his ne'
shake How silly | am! He would nc
leave my room last night, and l pretend
ed to be angry"
| Tingling with jealous rage and shame
Merisi ordered the coachman to driy
him Immediately to Nine. de Belroy
house. She was waiting for him at h,
window.
"Why, how funny" she exclaime,
"you are in my coupe. How did it ha]
pen, and what does it mean =
| Merisi was deadly pale,so angered W;
he. lie choked with rage as he endeavo
ed to find words to upbraid her.
nd I'll -.