Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1884-07-18
THE YELLOW ROSES.
A Owe story from the French of Al
phOnse knrr.


dear old friend and neighbor, Nine. de
Lorgerel. Aware of her fondness fol
flowers, | took with me n bunch of yellow
roses, her especial favorites. On this
evening, as on many another ! found her
with an old gentleman, who had about a
year before come into that neighborhood
to take possession of an adjoining prop
erty, left him by distant relative on
condition he would change his name to
that of Descoudrais. | was quite jealous
of the intimacy that soon had sprung up
between him and my dear old friend.
On the evening i'll question they were
busy over a game of ''tric-trac. | en-
tered softly so as not to disturb them,
and waited until the game was over to
present my roses. Nine. de Lorgerel s
face was frightened with genuine delight,
but, to my astonishment NJ. Descendants
became most strangely abstractod and
thoughtful.
"Would you believe it, my friend, he
said, at length "those flowers have evok-
ed, as if by enchantment, a whole epoch
of my youth. For few moments ! was
again 20 years of age and in love with a
woman, who, if living, must now be fully
60 years old. / will tell you the whole
story, one that influenced my whole after
liie-even now, when old aye has left me
barely energy enough to play at tric-trac,
the remembrance Of my youthful love
fills me with emotion"
"Over forty years ago, just after had
left college, my father, without consult
ing me, sought to obtain post for me ia
a certain regiment quartered in the little
town of Y, for which place [ receiv-
ell orders to depart at once. This was
distressing news for more than one rea-
son | had no special love for the army,
though that objection was no great one,
as at that time of my life the mere sight
of gay uniform, or the sound of martial
music, sufficed to fire my ambition into
becoming n Caesar or an Achilles. But,
worst Of all, | was in love, and dared not
tell my father, whose answer, | knew,
would have been an order Mastering my
departure. Fortunately, | had an uncle
and what an uncle ! At that time he was
as old as | am now, though still retaining
all the vigor and freshness of youth. He
was the confdant of our folics, loves,
debts and aspirations. [ went to him.
Uncle, | am most unhappy
"a bet twenty louis you are not ~
"Ah, uncle do not jest-besides you
would lose your bet.
IF [ lose, | pay. Perhaps that might
help to console you.
"No : money has nothing to do with
my wretchedness. Father has just accept
ed lieutenancy for me i'll the-regi-
ment."
"A misfortune, indeed The uniform
is most becoming, and all the officers are
gentlemen.
But, uncle, 1 do not wish to be sol.
der
"Not be soldier Are you a coward,
by chance ?"
81 do not yet know, uncle neverthe-
less, | know you are the only man might
dare doubt my courage"
"Well, Cid, my boy, what is your oh.
lection to the army
81 wish to marry"
"Nonseuse ~
Nonsense or no nonsense, | am in
love-"
"An you call that misfortune wish
| were i'll love myself. Who is she ?''
ooh, uncle an angel ~
"Of cOurse-I knew that before they
always are angels. What | ask is to what
name your angel answers when they call
her?'
"Naomi."
"Humph Naomi may be enough fol
you but | would like to know to what
family that angel belongs"
'She is Miss Amelot."
'Indeed Then she is truly AN angel.
A tall, graceful brunette, with dark eyes,
soft as velvet I approve your choice.
"And if you but knew her"
II do know her. Does she love you p
Il do not know"
"What not know Youar unworthy
of me. At her house every evening, and
yet not know if she loves you!'
''She does not even know of nv love. -
"Psnaw little you know about it. She
knew you loved her at least fifteen min.
utes before you knew it yourself.
"What l do know, at all events. is that
| will die if she be not mine -
'Oh, no Softly, my boy. There are
many reasons why she should not bt
yours. Your father is far richer than
hers, and would never consent to the
match"
In that case, uncle, l know what ]
Nonsense Do nothing silly. Listen
to me. You cannot marry at twenty"
"Why not ?"
Because do not wish it, and without
me this marriage can never take place.
"Oh, dear uncle, | beg"
"lf the girl loves You, and is willing tc
wait three years"
"Ihree years y
| "Peace, or | shall say four. If she is
l willing, then, to wait three years, you
} will join your regiment"
7 "Oh, uncle y
..Rut mot this ona Ill ... -