Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1888-04-28
AN AMERICANS FRENCH
MARRIAGE.
BY HAROLD X. WINNIE.

BY HAROLD IL. WINNIE
The tenor of Mr.. Eugene Fosters
nominations, as he struggled with his
lawn cravat before the mirror on his
wedding morning, was on the whole
pleasurable; but there were a few
minor reflections that tended somewhat
to mitigate the roseate aspect of affairs.
Primarily, he was young and reason
ably romantic; secondarily, he was an
American and as such could not help
viewing the course of events that had
led up to to his marriage-morning with
out certain sense of dissatisfaction.
Long ago he had read of and marveled
at the system by which such matters
were brought to head in France but
had never dreamt of its being made ap-
plicable 70 his own case. But, wander
ing into the Louvre one day some
three months before, he had encoun-
tered the face that had proved his I'M
doing and rendered French marriage
the one earthly boon that could bring
him happiness or contentment.
Being young, well-bred, without en-
cumbrances, and possessed of an mex
haustible bank account he had rushed
the affairs to climax with all the ardor
and vivacity that was characteristic of
his go-ahead temperament The young
lady's parents were not exactly aristo-
Gratis, but were, he had found, more
difficult of access on matrimonial
mission than if their blood had been
the bluest in the land. They formed a
segment of family of retired mer-
chants, not inordinately wealthy, but
saturated with the desire to improve
their social standing. It was not
strange, therefore, that Mr.. Fosters
suit, though backed by incontestable
evidences of his responsibility and
pecuniary standing, should have been
looked upon ut first with disfavor. Yet
he had won his way-what true Ameri-
can has ever failed in such an under
taking ?-and was to we'd Adrienne st.
Jean that very morning; what troubled
him was that he had never yet been
accorded the opportunity of ingratiat-
ing himself with the damsel in the
absence of third party. For the
thousandth time, he cursed the GUS
tom for hideous iniquity, and shud-
dered as he reflected that in the United
States there were probably thrice a
score of young women with whom he
stood on terms infinitely more familiar
than with the girl who was about to be-
come his wife.
He found the ceremony, with all its
concomitant horrors, much less pro-
digious undertaking than he had looked
for The wondrous beauty of his bride,
as she stood facing him at the altar
rail, was doubtless responsible for this
He looked only at her; he gazed at
her until he became totally unconscious
of the presence of the gaily-dressed
throng in the body of the church; so
that when the move was made toward
the register he found himself marveIing
at the speed with which the ordeal had
passed. 1t is true the succeeding hours
were more trying. His new father-in-
law was unusually pompous, and pro-
longed the detestable breakfast almost
beyond bearing; later on there was a
lawn fete, at which the entire array of
guests and their lavish congratulations
had to be faced anew; all of which was
followed in the evening by dance, at
which, according to custom, the kxide
was OF necessity the central figure.
Consequently, when towards midnight
Mr.. Foster found himself in his coupe, |
with his new wife beside him, rolling
toward the inconspicuous cottage he had
temporarily rented in the suburbs bo
swore to himself very deeply that if it
every fell to his lot to marry again, the
ceremony would be performed not less
than million miles away from Paris.
Mrs. Foster sat huddled up in a |
corner OF the carriage. Naturally
enough, perhaps, Mr.. Foster grew
trife sentimental as they proceeded.
He assayed to clasp one of the fragile
hands that lay, so white and tempting.
upon her lap. But he had no sooner
touched it than she withdrew it sharply.
with little scream Again Mr.. Foster |
cursed the French system of marriage,