Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-10-22

Ger Ii we SHALL never COulC LC u QrOD
of waterl | am so tired [ am ready to
dropp
This was Leonce's opportunity, and
he went straight to Madame Dulaurier
hat IN hand.
Madame" said he, "I should never
forgive myself if [ did not come to
your aid. know this park thorough
ly; and I can show you the fountain
of Sainte Marie, renowned through
the country"
a thousand thanks, SIR" said Ma
dame Dulaurier, surprised and charm
ed by the young mans grace of man
ner.
He offered to show them the way to
the fountain, and with much gayety
and kindly feeling they set out to-
gether.
Louise and Louisette walked little
10 advance of their parents and
Leonce.
''Do you not Think said Louise,
that this gentlemen resembles won>
derfully the one that was in the res
taurant with us?"
Why, certainly mott" replied Louis
SLtS. AL L 1TISlaHS LUX C1IhSs
But she bIushed as she spoke.
When they reached the fountain
they were already acquainted, and
we're mutually pleased. They would
soon be friends if circumstances favor
ed.
Goa! father" said Louise, ''instead
Of returning to that tiresome paris, let
us stay here till evening"
"Till evening? My dear. it is i'm
possible. We do not know the ways.
and we have no place to dine"
eff that is ALL" Leonce fastened to
say, IT am subject to your orders. |
can take you across to Clamarr, where
I know Of a pretty restaurant, with
arbors, flowers and fountains, where
you can dine even better than ia Paris.
It may be that my society is not agree
able 10 you, but yours, sir, and that
of these ladies' is so much to nay taste
that [ should be very sorry 10 leave
you"
Mime. Dulaurier, more and more
charmed at Leouce's manner, replid
instantly:
Il accept on my OWE authority, at
the risk of encroaching on my hus-
bands rights
81 must at least, then introduce my
self to you in more regular manner,
] am the Viscount Leonce de Verdun. :"
"And I SIR" said M. Dulaurier, ''ar
Adolphe DulaNrier, old notary, these
are my wife and daughters"
In an hour they were seated in the
arbor promised by Leo1ce, and were
altogether friends. Leonce had ac>
cepted with warm gratitude an invi~
tation from Madame Duiaurier to
visit them at their Flemish village
home,
''Do you not think, whispered Lou
ise to Louisette' "that father and moth
er became friends very easily and
quickly with this strapger?"
why no." replied Loulsette. sit is
perfectly natural"
Two months later Leonce alighted
at the railway station, Donai and M.
Dulaprier offered his hand in welcome.
He now had time to appreciate M. Du-
laurier's unaffected kindliness, and
strange to say the provincial, who had
seemed to him slightly ridiculous in
Paris, seen at home appeared to the
young man as he really was-simple,
natural, sympathetic and gentle.
Leonce was received with the most
demonssrative joy by Nine, Dulaurier
with a cordial saIution by Louise, with
an odd smile by Louisette. It was
nearly o'clock, and M. Dulaurier
rose. saying: ''Since Van der Velde
is not in yet, let him run after his par
trldges, and let us dine without him"
The repast was real French dinner,
with all the meats poultry and game
possible, an enormous quantity Of
beer, and all the wines one could
think of.
After dinner, which was prolonged
quite into the evening, M. Dulaurier,
in consideration Of his guests fatigue,
conducted him to his room at once.
Leonce set himself to opening his
trunks and portmanteaux. At length
he drew from portfolio 8 letter
daintily folded and perfumed, and be-
gan to read aloud, as follows:
II love you Louise! Sweet and
charming as you are, who would not
love you? It is for this reason that
left Paris; it was to tell you this. For
two months I have thought only of
you, and of the happy day when l
travelled with you, the day that deter
mined my life. Oh, Louise! Louise
if you only loved mel"
ut is very good" said Leonce to
himself. 81 never expected 3 note
more suitably. Now the question is
how to convey it 80 my lady. The
simplest way is the bsst, OF course.
I'll put it under the door into her
room. But where is her room? That
is the question"
He then began to smoke cigar, at
tentive, however, TO every sound IN
the house. He had not long to wait,
he soon heard light steps in the pas
sage, the rustic of a robe; he rose
quickly and opened ais door with the
greatest caution, just ia time to see
Louisette's delicate figure enter a
room on the left at the end of the gall
lery.
Our hero allowed a few moments to
IL cd fhnx e+0 ~