The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-11-12
FAMILY PRIDE.

fellow than my friend Gerald De Vols
sy, but he had onefailing, out of (which,
some years back, he was most artful-
" beguiled. Gerald's grand weakness
was family pride. He belonged to an
aristocratic French family, the mem
bers of which bade adieu to France
about a century ago, with a view OF
making a home and wealth in this
country. A love OF the old name had
been handed down from father to son,
and one of the boasts of the De Vols
svs was that no plebeian blood ever
mingled with theirs.
At the same time Gerald had not
fortune enough to keep up the ideas
of grandeur which had been part OF
his education. He and I led a bohe-
mian sort OF life, for both had adopt
ed che same profession = art.
We worked in q studio which
was the most inartistic place
you ever saw, and our rooms adjoin-
ed each other on the same floor.
How l loved our old studio, right at
the top of a house which commands a
good view of Central park
From the windows we could watch
the aut umn turning the trees into
crimson and gold, or the delicate
touch Of spring tinting the foliage with
those fresh, delicious shades which we
loved to reproduce on canvas. Then
our room was a curious medley OF
haltfinished sketches, painting ma
teriais, old armor hanging onthe walls,
curiously wrought fabrics strewn here
and there, and in the windows our
easles bedaubed with patches OF every
possible color.
We were both making rapid success
in cur profession. / worked hard for
the sake of Alice, a darling blue-eyed
girl who had promised to make me
happy some day. Gerald worked
from pure ambition, for he had good
expectations from his relations.
The kindest friend in the house was
the janltor's wife, a good, respectable
woman, but In very reduced circum-
stances. She granted us many little
privileges, and was always willing to
render US any small service In her
power.
One morning our quiet life was in
terrupted by the arrival of q black
edged letter for Gerald De Voissy
which bore the French postmark.
1t announced the death of an aunt.
He had not met the oldlady for years
30 did not expect to see him 60 into
paroxysms Of grief on hearing OF her
cease; but / was rather surprised to
see the look OF delight that overspread
his features as he read the last page of
the letter.
"How a you be. so heartless, /
exclaimed, "as to look pleased over
such a sad event?"
"Well, it's an awful shame" replied
Gerald, looking penitent, "but, my
dear old boy do congratulate me. I'm
lett heir to the greater portion OF my
poor aunt's fortune, somewhere near
$4,000 a year. This letter is from
one OF her nephews. He tells me my
aunt's generosity arose from the fact
mat my mother was her favorite Sis
ter, and not from any personal inter
est In myself, as she saw me
SINCE was a schoolboy."
! sincerely rejoice at your goodfor-
tune, Gerald, and there is no fellow
VINO deserves it better than you do"
replied, as | grasped his hand and
shook it warmly.
We'll, then, let us celebrate the day
Dy taking a holiday" he cried. ave
wiz run down to Long Branch. and
enen you will have a chance Of seeing
your iancee."
such an offer was too tempting to
De refused, for / knew Alice and her
parents were staying there. So we
sadiy closed eur untidy studio and
prepared TO ENJOY our day on the
SANDS at Long Branch.
as we went downstairs we stopped
lew moments to speak to the good
svuied Mrs. Robbins, the h~ousekeeper
already alluded to, for Gerald was
Eager to acquaint her with his good
fortune. He had, however, scarcely
Isgun to speak before the rustic OF q
sauy dress was heard. and in an In
ssant a yonsg girl brushed past him
Gnu threw her arms affectionately
aiuund Mrs. Robbins neck.
TOW are you, dear mother?" she
ss'eu' in a sweet, soft voice. II am
~ 9 to ONE back to you."
LIE good old woman kissed her