New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1886-02-24

i queen On ICE aGuIOu0 WIS ever more
honored or petted than this an
Gent dame. From little Blance,
whose fairy fingers plucked the
first violets for ma Grand
mere, . to the boys who brought her
choicest fruits, and the ladies of the
family, who gave her lively descrip-
lions OF all that went on in society,
every one sought to add something to
her comfort or pleasure Even visit
ors were encouraged to offer morsels
OF amiable gossip at grandmamma's
shrine, and she was not averse to lis
tening;; nor did the witty old lady hes
| itate to supplement these stories with
"reminiscences Of her own bright youth,
when the grandslres of those heroes
and heroines figured in romance more
or less wonderful
| Although it was this picture Of idyl-
lie home-life which had first caught
young Frank Towards fancy, yet he
soon began to feel a more personal
interest IN his visits. He had been
struck, as every one was, by Odille's
remarkable beauty; but from the first
he thought Jeanne was lovlier and
more winning. Her pretty, dainty
ways, her gay repartee, her tact in do
| ing or saying always the right thing,
but above all, the perfect amiability
of her character, made her become
every day more and more charming
! to him.
AS Frank became more intimate in
the household he perceived and began
to complain to his cousin of the mani
fold demands made on Jeanne's good
nature by all the members of her
| family; nor, could Madame Dufour
make him understand that it was the
young girls own absolute unselfsh-
ness which had produced this result.
! From the first Madame Dufour had
instructed her cousin in the customs
OF creole society, and he knew that
young men visitors were never allow
ed to see the young ladies of the house
except in the presence of some older
member of the family; yet, with the
egotism of lover, Frank fancied
that they all knew for the sake of
whose bright eyes he came so often to
the house, and he chafed under what
he called "cruel espionage
Never was their vigilance relaxed for
one instant, Frank thought, never
could he find an opportunity to say
three words to Jeanne alone. In three
words he felt he could explain himself
to the girl of his heart. But, alas!
there was no chance offered in which to
speak those momentous words. Ii he
dined with the family he was seated by
Odille; if they all went for a walk in the
neighboring, Washington square, or sat
! b.
playing on summer afternoons, Odille
was his inevitable companion, placed
| by his side with a few words from her
father or brother Little did Odille
dream as the young man saunter-
ed along by her side, while Jeanne
romped with the children. or hung on the
arm Of one of the brothers, chatting
gayly, of the storms ofwrath brooding
in the heart other companion. Frank
felt that he almost hated her. 1t
never occurred to any of them, GER
tainly not to Odille herself, that any
man could have eyes tolook at Jeanne
when Odille was present.
At Franks instigation Madame Du-
four proposed many little parties OF
pleasure, in which she sought to give
her cousin the long-coveted opportu-
nifty to speak to Jeanne alone. But
their best laid plans were brought to
naught by the superior tactics of the
other side, and Frank could scarcely
control an expression of rage when, at
the last moment, some other member
OF the family would appear, with
polite excuse for substituting herself
for Jeanne
Finally the husband of franks cous-
in and confdant was taken into their
counsels, who solved the question
easily, for he said:
''There is nothing for you to do,
Frank, but to 60 to Jeanne's father
and ask his permission to pay your
addresses to his daughter
SAnd l will be careful to say which
daughter" added Frank with energy.
What a bQmbshell was launched in
! to the BOSCH Of that peaceful house.
hold when Frank finally secured his
interview with ''papa." Itwas, indeed
a difficult task to convince the head of
the house that the eldest daughters
hand was asked in marriage, and not
Odille's. The mother proved almost
obstinately incredulous when her hus-
OdHo, DIS LII uuCy DOullu 10 40, gave
her an account of the interview. She
announced to the. others very decisive
[ ly that "papa must be mistaken for
Mr.. Howard's attentions had all been
bestowed on Odille." But s'papa''
held to his last opinion, and that
night the peace Of this happy familywas
menaced. Discussion ran high, and
the family conclave sat talking until
late into the night. Poor Jeanne in
tears, almost in disgrace, went off
early to bed; but Odille posed as a
martyr and was petted and condoled
with accordingly
At hast :Grandmamma" sent the
disputants off to their individual
apartments. "Bequiet, my children,
she commanded: Certainly this young
man must know his own heart. Let
him come tomorrow and explain him
self to me-
So Grandmamma had private con-.
versation with Frank next day, and
| u,bo,, Che Govt CO., %Lo ll,..l,