The Northern Pacific farmer. [volume] (Wadena, Minn.) 1878-1885, 1881-07-14
A JEALOUS HUSBAND.

AJEALUOS HUSBAND.
Adapted for the "Argonaut" From tho French
| of Alberto Second.
It was the day before the shooting season
began. Hunters we're pouring out of Paris
in all directions. Two might Lave been
seen leisurly proceeding toward the Sceaux
Station, but coming from different direc-
! tons. Both were accoutered elegantly
from jaunty cap to leathern CATERS: both car
| ried fine gun and handsome game bag; both
| remarked with satisfaction the effect their
costumes produced upon the female heart;
in short. both were Parisians and hunters.
But one was old and the other was young.
Full sixty years must have been needed to
grizzle the looks of the one; but twenty
three had passed over the others head.
The elder reached the station few mo-
monts before the other He entered an
empty compartment, but scarcely had he
done so when the door opened, and the
younger hunter entered. They stared at
| each other for moment, but it was the
elder who spoke first.
MY dear Boisgibert I am delighted to
see you, he said, pressing the others hand
with simulated warmth.
And I too, Prethibaut," returned the
young man, "am enchanted. What is
it Ihingummy says now? Thrice blessed
| is it."
perhaps you mean Thrice blessed list
| to meet friendly face replied the other.
Yes, that's it, Who was the fellow that
said it, now? It was it was -
"Lamartine?" asked the other dryly.
"Ah, yes, that's the man-Lamartine.
Strange I couldn't think of it."
Very" replied Prethibaut. But. now
I think of it, De Musset was the author of
the line
Yes, SO he was, replied the other color
ing; "he's one of my favorite authors, you
| know"
Outwardly Prethibaut replied with
grunt. Inwarday he said: The same as
ever What an ass the fellow is!'
On the other hand, Boisgibert bit his lip,
and muttered: ''Confound the old fool! as
pedanic as ever"
These two gentlemen we're just about to
make reasonably long railway journey
together.
After lengthy silence. Prethibaut be-
gan:
II see you are in hunting rig. Might I
ask where you are bOund?"
Eyes; I'm goingto Verrieres. Fine shoot
ing at that chateau
what! Has Vaugiron invited -"
Prethioaut interrupted, but suddenly
stopped.
Eyes, Vaugiron has asked me to come
down to Verrleres aud open the shooting
season with him. And you-where are you
going, Prethibaut?
"To Verrieres."
"What-you also?" Boisgibert's tone
expressed establishment, but certainly not
pleasure.
unl, .-oa r,.4o. ,.ou. L. o,
| the season there. It would not do for me
! to miss one.
'How fortunate We CHANGED to meet!"
said Boisgibert, in tone us destitute of
| emotion as is the creak of door.
1T was indeed happy chance" replied
Prethibaut, with the infection of man
who bids his creditor come tomorrow.
And while their lips distilled honeyed
| words they were full of bitterness within.
Prethibauts reflections were something like
this:
How in the fend's name could Vaugiron
be SO idiotic as to invite this becurled pop
Inlay to his house? did not think him so
stupid-so husband like. so to speak-as
that. When man of fifty-two ,narries
girl of nineteen, he should not invite hand
some young dandies to spend weeks at his
house. And more particularly should he
not invite dandy who was her slave all
last winter; who was always waltzing with
her; who always turned her music for her
when she played; who always had an
orchestra seat when she was in her box.
And yet Vaugiron-stupid yet hospitable
Vaugiron-he invites this fellow beneath
his roof. Well, well!'
On the other hand, Boisgibert's brain
was no less busy. His reflections ran some-
thing like this:
II wonder why that old blockhead fol-
lows me SO persistently? For the past year
he seems to have exercised a sort of
espionage on me. He seems to have OWNED
my secret, too. And vet he is not a rel
alive of Madame Vaugiron. Confound the
old idiot! Some one told me he was in
Switzerland, and here I find him on the
way to Verrieres."
The two men scowled at each other, and
then smoothed their faces expressionless-
ness. The train rolled on. Boisgibert
drew an immense cigar from his case, and
Lighted it. Then, as if he had but just
thought of it
"Oh, excuse me. believe tobacco is
disogreeable to YOU"
mo, sir; by no means, sir; you are
dreaming, sir" retorted Prethibaut; II
smoke like chimney, sir" and lighting
larger cigar, he pulled defantly-
|
| gentlemen were so shrouded in smoke that
they could not see across the compartment
But all things have an end. The train at
last reached the station, and there was
Vaugrion'e caraiage awaiting them. A
brisk drive of a few minutes across country
! and they were at Verrieres.
AS they descended in the courtyard,
Vaugiron advanced. He pressed Prethibaut,
warmly by the hand, greeted Boisgibert
with less warmth, and babe the latter
gentleman to his loom.
"As for you, my old friend" said he to
Prethibaut, come into the garden, and let
us seat ourselves over there in that summer
house. Ihave something want to say to
"But will you follow lt?"
''Of course, since ask it,
But that does not follow. any more
than you do. People are always asking
advice; but rarely follow it. Last year, in
this very month, and where we now sit,
you asked my opinion as to whether or not
! you should marry. advised you to live
and die bachelor. Well, three months
after that had to pretend to be glad when
1 saw you hanged-I mean married"
| Vaugiron viciously kicked a pebble on
/ the gravel walk before him.
We'll, what is it about?" said Prethi-
! Vaugiron paused little while. WELL"
said he, reluctantly, its about my wife,"
What said Prethibaut "already?"
"Come," said Vaugiron, impatiently,
don't be getting any ldiotic ideas into your
head: have nothing to reproach her
with"
But you have something on your mind"
Yes, have. I am jealous"
"Of Maurice Boisgibert"
How do you know"
| Il know, because have seen-"
! "Seeni' shantad Van oiro,, honn.3ino fron.