The times., 1884-04-04
A Frcnch Love Story.

"A frcnch Love story.
Her beauty was an intoxication to the
eye. She was "a She answered to
the sweet name of Amelia.
For myself. was simple, and credu-
lous. and romantic. Happy times, that
never return. loved her as one loves
but once-or twice--or thrice at most.
NV Amelia!
When l pronounced that name there
were grand concert in my heart and
symphony on my lips. My Amelia!
met her first in car. Yes. she was
alone with me, and her pantomime of
delicious timidity made me risk some
phrases of insnuating politeness. By
the time other passengers arrived had
arrived at permission to call.
But why arouse these poignant men,
ories? My friends, pour me little Of
that absinthc.
L will spare you trfling details. We
adored each other for three weeks. /
will tell you neither of her charms nor
of her goodness. The enumeration
would fill pages. Only among all those
attractions was one fatal gift which
fascinated, intoxicated, transported me
her hair! Such hair. All blonde di-
whites could give you but an INSULT
cient idea.
But why arouse these poignant men,
oriesP My friends, pour me little of
that absinthe.
When one passed his hand over the
silken tresses there was the sensation
of satin combined with that of velvet,
x.rith aI of n kr;1
AS to the color, Delacroix. in his best
days, would have broken his pallet in
spite. The hairs of that dear head did
not cease to run in mine.
One day, after long hesitating to risk
such bold request. stammered:
Dearest, II am afraid you may be
offended at what desire"
'Offendedp If can please you, you
know very well l am ready to do as
you wish.''
my dearest, you have the hair of
the Sultan's favorite."
''You know l detest compliments"
THAT does not keep you from valu-
ing that head of hair"
'For your sake-to please you."
'For me-then you will not refuse
me-"
''Whatp"
ITO let me cut off u lock of it!'
But why arouse these poignant men,
oriesp My friends, pour me little of
the Chambertin. l waited breathlessly
for her answer l trembled lest she
might refuse.
But she smiled lovingly upon me and
said: "Behold. then, that sacrifice SO
formidable! What boy, to believe l
love him too little to accord him such
a slight proof of love. Yes, Mr.. Doubt
er, you shall have the lock, and what
is more, l will take it myself and have
it made into homogeneous initials
interlaced.
20! thanks"
'Are you satisfied Ingrate!'
''Am l satistied!-but when"
Tomorrow morning-not to take
down my hair Mt this moment-I will
cut the lock off with my own hand"
.'Yes, darling-yes, my adored one
only tell the jeweler to hurry"
''Bc easy"
was radiant. My heart lcaped for
Joy. That night-it was the best /
could do sent Amelia pair of dia-
mond earrings.
But why arouse these poignant men,
oriesp My friends, pour me a little
absinthe.
Three days passed. A century! Each
morning hoped to find at Amelia's
house the promised treasure. At last,
the fourth day, rs entered:
''Sit down there, sir"
"Behold me obey, my beautyr'
"Stoop over"
at is done"
81 make you Chevalier of Love and
pass around your neck the badge of
my order.
''My lockct with the hair! 1t is ad-
mirable! How the hair is interviewer;
it is only your silky ringlets that would
be flexible enough for such curves. And
that shade, that | should recognize
among 100, ,000--what do l say? There
do not exist two like that on the sur
face of the civilized globe!'
''Then you are contentcde"
II am in Paradise
That night had to make her some
return-I sent Amelia Il fine Indian
shawl.
But why arouse these poignant men,
oriesP My friends, pour me Il little of
that absinthe.
There are moments in life when one
does not understand why the heart
does not burst. l experienced such a
moment / had gone home with my
precious love token. And--what had
Increased its value II hundrcdfold-she
had sworn to me that was the first
living being to whom she had given
such present. was seated by the
fire alone, but not lonely, since the
locket recalled her. turned and re-
turned that talisman. j covered it
with burning kisses. l could not get
enough of that speechless contempla-
ton. A whole world of thoughts were
awakened by looking upon it. re-
viewed the past from our meeting in
the car 1 peeped into the future
fidelity for life-love unalterable.
But why arouse these poignant men,
oriesP My friend, pour me little alb
sinthe.
A few days later she was ill. A slight
indisposition, but love fears everything.
Without saying anything I took the
III.