Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-27
A TIMELY RESCUE.


toise. Prefet of the little Norman town of Wren
tan. lounged back in his arbor. the very picture
of full-blown content. A cup of black coffee was
on the table before him and he had just lighted
an unimpeachable cigar
But mere bodily comforts had not rendered
the worthy Prefet so RADIANT he had received
very agreeable news that morning NJ. lie Comte
de la Croiserie. one of the most distinguished
residents in the ne!ghborhood. had asked the
hand of Nile Melanie POntoise in marriage.
The event was so fattering. so unexpected, that
the happy parents could scarcely contain them
selves for joy, and were eager to tell their
daughter the honor that awaited her,
Nine. Pontofse soon appeared. followed by a
pretty, fair-haired girl. who put her hand caress-
ingly on her fathers arm.
Now. then, petit pere, what is it you have to
tell me: l see it is something nice. Another
invitation TO England perhaps:"
A Slight shade passed over the beaming COun-
tenance of Nine. POntoise as she answered for
her husband. No; you have been too much i'm
England already. Your last visit filed Your
foolish little head with all sorts of ideas"
Nv ell. never mind" said the goOd-tempered
Prefet. f!ckin@ some cigar ashes off the SPHERE
cal surface of his white waistcoat; ''this has
nothing to do with England. On the contrary.
it is something to keep You here. How should
you like to be a COuntess?"
Not at all papa | would rather stay with
you. plain MademoiSclle POntOise'
You've been that long enough put in her
mother: 1t Is high time to change. NJ. lie COmte
de la CrOiSerie has written to ask for Your hand
in marriage, and your father is deeply sensible
OF the honor"
Melane opened her eyes why. papa is q
republican. He laughs at titlesl"
Nonsense, child" said N. Pontose what
do you know about politics p
N1
could not deny it. Still it was all very well to
laugh at titles when you hadn't any yourself
but VI. PGntolse very naturally felt il would be
quite different matter if he had count for
sOn-in-law. So he answered his only child rather
testify. telling her that she knew nothing about
politics. and had much better turn her attention
to her toilet for the evening
Nine PontOsc took the hint at once and led
the way back to the house, Meiane following
slowly ard silently. When they were safe in the
scciusion Of the girls bedroom Nine. Pontoise
began TO reason with her daughter.
" hat is the matter. ma file? What obec-
ton have you to NJ de la CTOiSerie? That he is
widower? BAH that is nothing. That he is
Older than you? All! my child. you will know
some day how well it is to have husband of
that age. possessed 0f the most admirable quail
tiles. Why. he is everywhere sought after; YOU
viii be the envy of the neighbOrhoOd.''
That was undoubtedly true; still, Melanie Gid
not look convinced.
But don't know him, mamma. have only
seen him twice
What more would You have? Who expects
yen to know him? We have not yet ad0nted
the English habit of allowing young girls to
form intimacies with men: but you have heard
of him Every one is acquainted with bis good
ECart-his
oh. yes mamma" Interrupted Melanie inn
patiently; Il have heard his praises sung till
am tired. Solo. duet or chorus. the refrain is
always the same. tie is SO good he is such
kind father"
You surely DON'T object to the children. Me-
LAME: Three earrings. and only girls Remeu-
Der. you have already veXed your father twice
~ refusing two very eligible offers. Do not dis
appoint him again by rejecting ~ de la Croisc-
re. the most eligible OF I'll. lie is coming to
little dinner ell familie. So that YOU may Judge
OF one another. And nCg leave YOU to choose
your dress" and Nine. FOnt0iSe hurried away.
dcianie stood by the window. gazing drearily
out upon the View Below in binding sun
shine was the stitf. trim little garden in which
BET fathers soul delighted: q few orchards in
tervened between that and the river Nire and
immediately on the other bank l2y the grounds
OF the Chateau de II CTui5egie The trees were
IN full leaf 50 thai but little Of the house was
visible; but Melanic could sea small tarret
window. which she knew was the counts
GrcsSing-rc0T. Her heart sank witi.in her
he count was q fine match from u worldly
POINT OF view 1t was very tiattering that he
should wish 20 make her his wife hut she felt il
would be impossible to love him. lie was so
cold. 50 stiff. Her mother said the best kind Of
love lUr Il woman came after marriage but
Nelanie s,iuGdcred al the risk. Could it be
that she had really iTGibed foolish ideas during
Ter visits TO England? She had dreamed there
Of something very different. Was marriage one
az the things tEey manage better ill France:
vel. II was 10 &c hoped SO. Mcianie sighed,
and the turTetS OF her future home were bIotted
Only by a mist of binding tears
Suddenly t..rTe came a loud neal at the door
Who could be ringing so violently? Had the
count proved too ardent J. lover TO wait TIL tie
evening: The idea was Frot"sque; besides, he
would never Go anything SO Incorrect.
While she was ordering her mother came
rushing into the IOOm holding card in her
hand.
Here is young Mr. Paset come to see your
father How provoking! just as he has gone
to the Prefecture. Do 60 down AMI see him.
on can speak English, and you must tell him
where 20 GO
Ielanie stood transfxel. Tie event which
seemed 50 commonplace to the mother seemed
miracle to the girl. Mr.. Paget vas her
-'Hers English partner; it was at his house
that she had paid those visits of which Nine
Puptai~c d!saprrOYeG. His daughter Alice was
Ter rctoci-ie..ow and friend; his son Tom was
well. be was her friend too
And - think that he should appear to-day
dE-rT'd from The clouds. IS It were,
4,rcJyer.n" herself. She ran quickly down
stars. tail. suuburHt Young man was stand
I'M III the middle OF the room. looking EAGERLY
towards tie door.
"oh. Monsieur Tom" She cried; ''csi-.i posi-
''Why not:" he said smiling; IAN so al
tfs"d: BUT, say. Eon mustn't talk French, rcu
allow. can't understand word Of that: :"
Neia.;c laughed but the tears so reccntl- 70
Pressed We're very near the surface. ..Par,a Will
De- very cad to see you" She said, with her
pretty accent.
Mr. Tom looked moderately e'a,ci at TIE as
sUi&uce.
Il think YOU mi@ht say yOu were glad, too
Nile Meane, for unless | had expected to see
!ou should not have come enc hundred miles
cat OF my way. | hope yon haven't forgotten
j"ur stay with Us We rad great fun II v0u
remember. Do you recollect our ride on the
tricycle. aud our p:cncs On the river?'
Il shall never forget them" she arswered
Lcr eyes cleaning like sunshine after rain
There VAS q reprcssed intensity in her tones
which did not escape Tom. Both Young pe0pie
We're silent few seconds
Just then Ter mother entered the room. She
mad Decn peerinC behind the Venetian shutters
10 see Mr.. Pdgets departure and now came to
scc the cause Of the delay. She was displeaSed
|" Hnd TEN deeply engaged in conversation
ana packed him Oft 10 the Prefecture without
DELAY. but Size never guessed What her husband
Wou.@ do lie vas n such Il state of eTuSiye
DShtYolence taat he invited Tom to the impor-
liant G.iiI.eT IN the cTcuiEL. MMc. PoatO!se vas
immensely GI=-us.ed
He" stupid men are. That tiycsome Young
Ih3Ii.h.hAI. y ii! make the count look ten wears
cider"
However It could not be helped. ana the GOOD