Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-02-26

a-.S r =
but above all, the perfect amiability
of her character, made her become
every day more anu 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 JearAne'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 unselfish-
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 we're 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 a 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 foY
one instant, Frank thought, neve,
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 walk in the
! neighboring Washington square, or sat
on it's benches to listen to the band
playing on summer afternoons, Odille
| was his inevitable companion, placed
! by his side with 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 of wrath 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 to look at Jeanne
when Odillo 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 a
polite excuse for substituting herself
for Jeanne.
! Finally the husband Of Franks cous-
in and confidant was taken into their
counsels, who solved the question
easily, for he said:
"There is nothing for you to do,
Frank, but to go to Jeanne's father
and ask his permission to pay your
addresses to his daughter
"And I will be careful to say which
daughter" added Frank with energy.
! What bombshell was Launched in
to the bosom Of that peaceful house
hold when Frank anally secured his
interview with papa" 1t was, indeed
a difficult task to convince the head Of
tho house tha& the eldest daughters
hand was asked il marriage and not
Odille's. The mother proved almost
obstinately incredulosls when hey hus-
band, as IN duty bound to do, gave
her an account OF the interview. She
announced to the others very decisive>
1y that papa must DO mistaken for
Mr. Towards attentions had all been
bestowed ON Odille~" But papa"
held to his last opinion, and that
night the peace OF this happy fa1nil swas
menaced- Discussion ran high, and
the family conclaye sat talking until
late into the night Poor Jeanne in
tears, almost IN disgrace, went of
early to bed; but Odille posed as a
martyr and was petted and condoled
with accordingly
At last "Grandmamma" sent the
disputants of 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 Grandmam,na had a private con-
vcrsation with Frank next day, and
when she sent for the agitated, blush
ing Jeanne and placed her hand in
Franks then the fat OF grandmam-
mas decision went forth and all agreed
that it was wise and good.
| Thus was harmony restored
Thencefoth congratulations and
heartfelt sympathy were bestowed on
Jeanne, and Odille, for the first time
in her life, held only q second place in
the consideration Of her family.
AS for that young woman, after the
first moments of indignant surprise,
her sympathy and good will We're given
to Jeanne as freel y as he good wishes
Of any OF the others, She had liked
Frank we'll enough as an acquaintance,
and, as he was a good parti, was
young, good looking and agreeable,
would have accepted him as her nus
band had she been told to do so, and
would have made him good wife
afterwards. But she philosophically
reflected that the world held haanv
other equally deserving young men,
some OF whom would not prove SCUM
appreciative (f her attractions as her
future brother-in-law had been. Sheen
tered with zest into all the romance
OF the love affair and the excitement
OF wedding preparations. Frank, with
new, brotherly regard for her, &C.
knowledged that she was too beauti-
full to be hidden in a corner, and prom
ised himself the pleasure of giving her
a wider field Of action. She was to
accompany Jeanne and himself on
| their wedding tour abroad.
Dear little Jeanne found it hard to
realize that all this happiness rightful-
! ly belonged to her
Il always thought you came for
Odille,' she whispered to her lover;
"besldes, was fast becoming an old
maid. You know, have nearly twcn-
ty years."
Said "Grandmamma" afterwards
to Nine. Dufour, confident that she
| WAS Spaa(,iy,y iI;or attn Fuo1ieb fo,.