The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1881-06-02

wit. The debate became warmer and
warmer, the gentleman losing, and the
lady gaining no ground, while Andre
slipped away to his lodge, informing his
better half that the storm was gathering
above. At last, after much speechify.
ing on both sides, the gentleman, break
ing pause Of apparently deep refec-
ton, spoke again:
Well, madame said he, :. there re-
mains but one way t, arrange our little
dispute, SO as to enable you to resume
possession of your delightful residence,
without BUSTING nae from it. "
What is your meaning, sir ?" de-
manded the bewildered young widow,
looking still more charming in her
amazement.
My meaning is this, madame my
name is Arthur Baron Arthur de B
I belong to an old and honorable family
Am bachelor, and 80 years of age.
My estates are worth $4,000 francs .
year-but this mention out of respect
to the laws of business and despite the
originality and queerness Of my conduct,
which may perhaps have offended you,
l am considered q very good-natured
person and, upon the whole, I Aattee
myself am man fully capable Of max
ing lady happy. Will you, therefore,
do me the honor Of accepting my heart.
my hand, and my fortune 2"I
To this sudden proposal Madame u
Y replied with dignity "Your Jest is
not in very good taste. sir, and all I can
do is to laugh at it, IL
"Serlous, most serious, madame, I am
indeed-and, on the faith of q gentle
man, I beg you to believe it."
What, sir you propose marriage
merely that you may not have to give
up my apartments r.
"a little upon that account, madame,
but still more because of more over
towering reason for among the many
considerations I have had the honor Of
laying before you, there is one I dare
not mention, but allow me now to con-
TESS it, love you"
Atthis avowal, Madame de Y blushed
to the eyes. What lady, young or old,
would not have done so. particularly
when the avowai came from Young.
handsome and wealthy man? However,
she took it in good part, and laughed
outright at her interlocutor
"You are laughing, madame, and
however"
''Your folly provokes my laughter,
Monsieur le Baron. really cannot help
it."
Nevertheless, madame, I can assure
you am fully master of my reason, or
at least as much of it as remains, sub
dued as it is by intensepassion."
"What, sir. intense passion at first
sight !"
"You forget, madame, that I have
been living three long months in your
apartments, and that your portrait,
which now see is an adorable likeness,
IS hanging up there in the next room.
It was the first object that caught my
attention on entering, and I have looked
at and admired it every day since. Nor
was | captivated by the charms of your
beauty alone, for am well acquainted
with your merit in every way, your many
superior qualities and your irreproacha-
BILE character. A man, however so little
he may be versed in womanly affairs.
cannot spend three months in a lady's
apartment without noticing and studying
many things disclosing her habits. her
tastes, her feelings. I have been an
acute, and, perhaps, an indiscreet, OBJ
server, madame and what have dis
covered has captivated my heat for
ever. That heart I offer you again, and
humbly wait your answer to know my
fate"
There was no bombast, no fanfaronade
in the Baron's language, it was the re-
solve of man who had made up his
mind, and was determined to succeed.
But the more he urged his suit, the less
he advanced in it !; till at last the widow
signified to him, in due form and I'M
mistakable phraseology, that he must
instantly shift his quarters thus giving
him his leave, and intimating to him at
the same time that he must never think
of setting foot in her residence again.
Very well. madame-I Withdraw,
and will not return till you invite me to
do so ;" the answer to which parting
words was saucy smile, and toss of
the head which evidently meant, "You
have long to wait, Monsieur le Baron.
before receiving such an invitation"
However, at the end of few days, the
invitation was sent, and the Baron ar
rived just as the widow had completed
making herself more charming than ever.
What have ] been apprised of, sir?"
said Madame de Y to him, as he
seated himself in an arm chair a la Vol
taire right opposite to her. "During
my absence, You brought my long
pending lawsuit to an amicable arrange
ment.
''Why, yes, madame; but you must
be neither pleased nor displeased With
me on that account, Is I acted only in
my own interest"
Glow SO, if you please, Baron ?"
'sThe fact is, the lawyers clerks were
calling here with their papers every day;
and, owing to q heavy and protracted
suit I once had myself, have an utter
aversion to every limb of the law as
orr allies. Messieurs les Anplais. have
1t. Being acquainted with your plain
tiff, who is debtor of mine, I made use
of my influence over him, and soon got
him to forego his unfounded claim, and
he made over to me what he called his
RIGHTS. r. IA therefore an affair hefwoan