Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1886-04-21
MONSIEUR MAX.
A Novel Type Of the Frenchman in
Love.

The little country town OF F was,
in the opinion of all his friends, too
small to give full scope to the talents
of Monsieur Max. A surname, in our
present advanced stage of civilization,
is usually considered an indispensable
adjunct to every man above the condi-
ton OF Il savage, but Monsieur had APP
parently been sent into this world to
disprove this, among other fallacics,
since, whatever had been his original
condition as regards family name, he
was now to all intents and purposes
simply Monsieur Max.
Monsieur was not an old man. In
fact, he was but twenty-cight, though
public opinion, influenced. perhaps, by
his great learning. perhaps by his hair,
"a sablc-silvcred' by nobody knew
what bitter experience, gave him credit
for at least another score; nor was he a
beauty, except in the eyes of Bertha
Clayton, TO whom the STOPPING
shoulders, the brown face in its frame
of iron-gray, the kind, dark eyes and
tho patient, tender smile were faircr
than would have been Apollo himself
had he visited her in person.
Bertha was an orphan, possessed OF
wealth which the people of F
vaguely designated as millions the
care of which so entirely engrossed
her guardian and half-brother, New
York merchant that his little sister was
left to the supervision of Aunt Letitia.
Bertha Ibid not get on well with her
governesses, said the people of F..
In her own opinion she got on much
better without them; each new installa-
ton was followed by rebellion, revolu-
ton, expulsion and anarchy with the
precision of a gcometrical series, until
Aunt Letitia in despair had recourse to
Monsieur Max, during whose reign
there was peace.
lie had ut first been engaged to teach
only his native language, but he soon
proved himself fully capable of in
structing his pupil in more important
matters than could be found in text
books; for when once, and once alone,
she presented herself fresh from chas-
ing the pig, with torn frock, muddy
boots, disheveled locks and great APP
parent need of soap and water mon
sieur quietly remarked: "This Max, Sc
useless and unfortunate, has presented
himself too early this morning Per.
nit him to look over the paper while
mademoiselle repairs the haste of hei
toilet"
Monsieur's influence over the spoiled
and wilful heircss was truly marvellous
and yet his most severe reproof was nc
worse than Zone does not do so in
Paris, mademoiselle. All day they
were together, studying, working il
| the garden, or absent upon long ex
petitions after what monsieur called
'specimincs," while Aunt Letitia dozet
over her knitting and rocked by tn,
parlor fire, or upon the wide, COO
piazza. Surely, if monsieur had beer
ambitious or villain the field was suf
fciently broad.
Years passed away in this manner
and Bertha grew up into beauty ant
grace which might have tempted an,
man to win her for his own, even ha(
she been pcnniless; yet still Aun
Letitia dozed and knit, quite uncon
conscious of any possible peril to aNy
body. Bertha's eighteenth birthda,
was now approaching, upon which sh'
was to make her debut in such societ,
as the countryside afforded. But
though entering the world, she was b,
no means to part from Monsieur Max
He had promised to go with then
| abroad, and there conduct his pupi
through course of operas, museums
and picture galleries.
At the birthday party, however, mon
sieur obstinately refused to be present
though he came out from F OF
| purpose to behold her in her ball cos
tune, with its proudly displaye,
trained skirt, and he brought with hin
an exquisite bouquet, purely white, a
became the first floral tribute to jeun,
| file.
He surveyed her anxiously, for drcs
was to monsieur, as to every French
man, very important matter. BE
hold toilet perfectly CONNIE il fault,
he said, with kind smile. Undoubt
eddy the eyes and teeth of monsieur
were beyond criticism.
Behold also a bouquet of tast
truly exquisite" replied Bertha. ~
will be my sole consolation"
"But how? Your sole consolation
mademoiselle, at your first ballp'
Laughing gently as he spoke. "Wha
then of the dances, les messieurs--'
lies messicurs! bah! When the onl
one / care to please will be absent!'
| The words were hurried out with a.
the impetuosity of the old Bertha, an
were followed, she could not have toll
why, 10 burning blush. 'Monsieu
knows am true to old friends" sh
added with strange new shynes
weighing down her eyelids.
| She was very beautiful and womanl
In her floating white robes, with lon
dark lashes shading her glowing cheel
and monsieur looked ut her steadil
for a moment before he answered.
'Mademoiselle Is good pupil an
loves her teacher; but, believe me, b
could only lose by comparison wit
such as she will meet tonight. A
revoir, petite; dance, then, like a
angel and amuso yourself WE'LL" an
with graceful, old-school bow nor
sieur was gone.
Half an hour later he sat alone in h
dingy little room and looked roun
him with a sigh. There was her pi
ture upon the wall. the slippers she ha
worked upon the rug. a hundred lit
gifts that she had given him Christine
or fcte-day. accompanied by ardent e,
prcssions of affection, couchcd in faul
less French.
IL must 60 away" said Monsic,
Max