The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1881-08-18
A JEALOUS HUSBAND.

A JEALOUS HUSBAND.
1t was the day before the shootin!
| season began. Hunters were pouripi
out of Paris in all directions. Ts
might have been seen leisurely proceeu
ing toward the Sceaux Station, bu
coming from different directions. Bot
were accoutered elegantly, from jaun
ty cap to leathern CATERS; both carried
fine gun and handsome. game-bag
both remarked with satisfaction the ef
feet their costumes produced upon the
female heart; in fact, both were Paris
ians and hunters. But one was ole
and the other was young. Full sixty
years must have been needed to grizzlt
the locks OF the one; but twenty-thret
had passed over the others head.
The elder reached the station few
moments before the other. He entered
an empty compartment, but scarcely haC
he done so when the door opened, and
the younger hunter entered. They
stared at each other for a moment, but
it was the elder who spoke first.
My dear Boisgibert, l am delighted
to see you." he said, pressing the 9th
er's hand with simulated warmth.
'.And. 1 too, Prethibaut." returned
the young man. lam enchanted. What
is it Thingummy says nowP Thrice
perhaps you mean Thrice blessed
is't to meet q friendly face.'" replied
the other.
Eyes. that's it. Who was the fellow
that said it. now? 1t vast WAS -
"Lamartinep asked the other, dry
".
''Ah, yes, that's the man-Lam ar
tine. Strange l couldn't think of it"
very" replied Prethibaut. "But,
now l think of it. De Musset was the
author of the line.'
Eyes, so he was," replied the other,
coloring; she's one of my favorite au-
thors, you know"
Outwardly Prethibaut replied with a
grunt. Inwardly he said: '|The same
as ever. What mi ass the fellow isr'
On the other hand. Boisgibert bit his
lip and muttered: ''Confound the old
fool! as pedantic as ever"
These two geDtlemen were just about
to make n reasonably long railway
journey together.
After a lengthy silence, Prethibaut
began:
Il see you are in hunting rig. Might
/ ask where you are bound?''
Eyes; Pm going to Verrieres. Fine
shooting at that chateau"
''What! Has Vaugiron invited"
Prethibaut interrupted, but suddenly
stopped,
'.Yes. Vaugiron has asked me to
come down to Verrieres and open the
shooting season with him. And you
where are !you going. Prerhibaut?"
'"To Verrieres."
"What-you Also" Boisgibert's tone
astonishment, but certainly
not pleasure.
>''Oh, yes. For ten years I have
opened the season there. 1t wouldn't
10 for me to miss one."
GLOW fortunate we chanced to
meetr' said Boisgibert. in tone as
destitute of emotion as is the creak of a
door.
at was indeed a happy chance" re-
piled Prethibaut. with the infection of
) man who bids his creditor come to-
morrow.
And while their lips distilled hon
eyed words they were full of bitterness
within. Prethibaut's reflections were
like this:
'.How in the fiend's name could
vaugiron be SO idiotic as to invite this
becurled popinjay to this houseP l
did not think him so stupid-so hus-
band-like, so to speak-as that. When
q man of fifty-two marries 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 al
ways waltzing with her; who always
turning 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 be-
meath his roof. Well, wellr'
On the other hand, Boisgibert's
Drain was no less busy. His reflections
AN something like this:
81 wonder why that old blockhead
ollows me SO persistentlyp For the
past year he seems to have exercised a
;ort of espionage on me. He seems to
,ave OWNED my secret, too. And yet
le is not relative of Madame Vaug-
ron. Confound the old idiot! Some
me told me he was in Switzerland, and
lere find him on the way to Verri-
res"
The two men scowled at each other,
md then smoothed their faces into ex-
The train rolled on.
Soisgibert drew an immense cigar
rom his case, and lighted it. Then,
IS if he had but just thought of it
''Oh. excuse me. 1 believe tobacco
8 disagreeable 10 YOU"
mo. sir; by no means, sir; you are |
lreaming. sir;' retorted Prethibaut; Il
moke like chimney, sir;" and light |
ng larger cigar, he puffed deliantly. |
At the expiration of ten minutes the |
wo gentlemen were SO shrouded in
mOke that they could not see across
he compartment.
But all things have an end. The
rain at last reached the expected sta
ion, and there was Vaugiron's carriage
them. A brisk drive of n few
across country, and they were
t Verricres.
As they descended in the courtyard,
'augiron advanced. He pressed Preih-
baut warmly by the hand, greeted
'oisgibert with less warmth, and bade
he servant show the latter gentleman
, his room.
Gas for you, my old FRIEND" said
e to Prethibaut, .come into the gar
lere in that summer-house. / have
l want to say TO you.
ant to ask your advice"
''But will you follow it?''
''Of course, since L ask it.
'.But that does not follow, any more
ian You do. People are always asking
Twice; they rarely follow it. Last
ear, in this very monti,, and where We
ow sit. you asked my opinion as to
neither you should marry. l advised
OH to live and die a bachelor. Well,
,ree months after that had to pre-
md to be glad when saw You hanped