Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-10-20


well. how are your Mon DieM but I am
glad to meet you'll"
Monsieur does me too much honor" replies
the little man with most pronounced provin-
ciai accent. do you need my services; quick,
L have my case with me?"
He is a physician" say to myself 'sWhat
luck. My dear MISUNDERSTANDING"
Saint-Phar, at your service"
"Oh, yesi No. my health is excellent. but /
have tremendous appetite. How is 1t with
your"
"Oh. my appetite is something stupendous! I
am tine greatest eater in Provence"
''Ah! my dear N. Saint-Phar II you would
only do me the favor of coming to dine with me
here with some intimate friends of mine'
But Monsieur, you honor and surprise me,
1t is mark Of great esteem which you are offer
ing me. do not know these people"
That makes not the least difference Pre-
sented by me you will be cordially received.
You are in evening dress, you have a white
cravat; 1t is marvelOusly Fortunate"
Il always dress in this way for nv practice is
becoming daily more and more distinguished
and fashionable. For all this am indebted to
your friend. NJ. de BremOnd, who gave me In
Productions"
'Oh. yes. 1t was at his house that met you.
Have you been attending him for some timer"
fOr two years. Monsieur" and / can say,
without Boosting, that he ought to be very
grateful to me, for assure you that were it not
Ior me, ne would not be able to walk to-day"
"Oh, but you are q rare man, and you must
allow me to present you to my new family. Yes;
1 am about to marry, and it surely is my lucky
star which made me meet you. The family Is
large: there are old men to whom you will be
indispensable. promise you, in advance, new
patients. Forget that we are only acquaint-
ances; treat me as a friend, my dear doctor and
accept an invitation which, although somewhat
Informal, will yet be the first step towards q
friendship based upon the great respect which
entertain for your learning"
The little doctors face changed from red to
purple; he took my hand and almost crushed it
between both of his. never saw larger hands
than the doctors. Nature had to economic in
his height to give him such hands. In spite of
all distinction, he has fair appearance; and
besides, he is received by M. de BremOnd, who
is a man of excellent position, and very exclu-
sive in the choice of his friends and acquaint-
ances. Then, too, he is M. de Bremond's ply
stefan, which stamps him as man of ability;
and, above all, have no choice. 1t must be he
or no one.
Saint Phar plunges his hand into his pockets
and pulls out three pairs Of gloves, black, gray
and white.
STILL for the sake of my patients" he SAYS
with quiet smile.
He chooses the white gloves. draws them on.
and in consequence has no longer hands, but
Veritabe monuments.
Immediately after dinner. l have made an
absolute engagement to see patient from nine
to ten
''You shall have perfect liberty. 1t is all that
we could ask If you spare us two hours of time
so precious and useful to mankind. Follow me-
dear doctor; it is on the second foor-I prom
Use you welcome worthy of yourself"
Announce NJ. Saint-Phar" l say to the maid
All the guests have arrived, and must be
thinking that the prospective bridegroom is not
In much OF hurry. The parlor door opens.
disclosing the whole company sitting in circle.
am conscious that their eyes are fixed upon
me. and that l am passing under review. But
l encounter the sweet smile Of my Cecile, and
am cOmforted.
IN. de Saint-Phar" announces the maid,
ennObling my new friend land NJ Adrien
Rony."
Madame Miraul advances to meet US, saying
to me:
1--WE have been impatiently awaiting you!"
You will excuse me. madame, and permit
me to present to you my friend. DIR. Saint-Phar
who has kindly consented to join US, and take
part in family dinner"
ut give me great pleasure to meet you Mon
sieur," replies Madame Miraul; "you see it is an
Informal dinner, wholly without ceremony"
The sixty Candles and sixty lamps make an
Illumination that rivals the light of day; the
ladies' dresses are elaborate, the gentlemen are
all in full evening costume.
If this is informal, mon Dieu! what would
formal dinner be!
The introductions begins; first NJ. Miraurs
brother and his wife. good commonplace people
from Marias Then an old aunt, deaf as post.
but, in spite of her infirmity very distinguished
IN appearance Then venerable uncle on the
maternal side. a retired commander decorated
with the ribbon of the Legion of Honor. Poor
old fellow. bullet plOughed through his feet at
the siege of SebastOpOl. He is little crotchety,
but noble man at heart. cousin and her hus-
band. people from the country;the husband is no.
tarythe wife must beill-natured, for nothing kind
can come from those pinched lips. Then her son.
great stupid fellow of about nineteen, who
bushes when anyone looks at him. And last of
all. Madame Miraurs sister, Aunt Charlotte. a
lady of forty, who was once beauty and is still
pretty, reminding one somewhat of Cecile, In
that she sspirtuelle and sympathetic. althougha
little sad. She is a widow, without children,
and has conferred all her affection upon Cecile
who loves her dearly. There is missing only
Cousin Anastasie Bardot, the mother Of the
stupid Ignace; but az it is habit of hers to ar
rive after the soup, We do not wait for her, but
pass into the dining-rOom. The cook is in de-
spair, for we are already quarter of an hour
late. The room is no less brilliantly lighted
than the parlor; there is great display Of
flowers candles and silver Saint Phar has
offered his arm to Madame Miraul, who says to
him:
"You see, Monsieur. there is absolutely no
ceremony; kindly take your place between the
commander, will be glad OF your company.
and with whom you can talk about your profess
sion. for he has consulted, believe, all Of your
medical brethren,-and my Aunt Bouret, whom
l especially commend to you; she is quite deaf,
but she understand everything by watching
the movements Of the lips"
Saint-Phar. already seeing two new patients
In the commander and Aunt Bouret PUSHES to
his seat. Unfortunately, Bijou, who always
follows close upon the heels of his mistress.
gets in the way of saint-Phar, who steps upon
his paw.
Bou bowls, Madame Miraul screams. takes
the wounded dog into her arms, and covers him
with kisses. Poor Saint-Phar knows not what
to do.
Ny dear" says NJ. Miraul, ''why do you not
shut up Bijou in your chamber when you have
company! Then such an accident would not
happen. What state OF excitement you are
'Anatole' do not NEEDLE with what does not
concern you" replies Madame Miraul angrily.
poor little Bijou! Poor little dear! Get some
arnica to make . compress"
The servants scatter in every direction and
during all this time the soup, which is already
served, Is getting cold.
The dog is bandaged and laid upon his
cushion, and, as have layishly supplied him
with sugar, he condescends to keep quiet and
go to sleep. Peace Is restored.
We begin upon the soup, still Madame
BardOt does not come. At last the bell rings.
1t is she.
No: It IL q telegram!
Have c0unted-we should be thirteen at