San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-31
CHAPTER III.
THE ADOPTION,

THE ADOPTION.
Nine Desprez, who answered to the Chris
tian name of Anastasie, presented an agree
able type OF her sex; exceedingly wholesome
to look upon, a stout bruno, with cool smooth
cheeks, steady, dark eyes and hands that
neither art nor nature could improve. She
was the sort of a person over whom adversely
passes like a summer cloud; she might, in
the worst Of conjunctions, knit her brows
into one vertical furrow for a moment, but
the next it would be gone. She had much Of
the placidity of a contented nun; with little
of her piety, however; for Anastasie was of
a very mundane nature, fond of oysters and
old wine, and somewhat bold pleasantries,
| and devoted to her husband for her own sake
rather than for his. She was imperturbably
| cook natured, but had no idea of self sacri-
fee To live in that pleasant old house, with
a green garden behind and bright flowers
about the window, to eat and drink Of the
best, to gossip with neighbor for quarter
of an hour, never to wear stays or a dress
except when she went to Fontainebleau shop
ping, to be kept in a continual supply of racy
novels and to be married to DR.. Dssprez and
have no ground Of jealousy, filed the cup of
her nature to the brim. Those who had
had aired quite as many theories, but of a
different order, attributed his present philos-
ophy to the study of Anastasie. 1t was her
| brute enjoyment that he rationalized and
perhaps vainly initiated
Nine. Desprez was an artist in the kitchen,
and made coffee to nicely She had knack
of tidiness with which she had infected the
doctor; everything was in its place; every
10 - Oh xxlox
dust was thing banished from her empire.
Aline, their single servant, had no other bust
ness in the world but to scour and burnish.
So DR.. Desprez lived in his house like fatted
calf, warmed and cosseted to his hearts con-
tent.
The midday meal was excellent. There
was a ripe melon, fish from the river in a
memorable Bearnaise sauce, fat fowl in a
fricassee, and dish Of asparagus, followed
by some fruit. The doctor drank half bot
tie plus one glass, the wife half bottle minus
the same quantity, which was marital priv.
lege, of an excellent Cote Rotie seven years
old Then the coffee was brought and a
flask of Chartreuse for madame, for the doc
tor despised and distrusted such decoctions
| and then Aline left the welded pair to the
pleasures of memory and digestion.
at is very fortunate circumstance my
cherished one," observed the doctor-"this
coffee is adorable-a very fortunate circum-
stance on the whole-Anastasie, 1 beseech
you, go without that poison for today, only
one day, and you will feel the benefit,
pledge my reputation"
"What is this fortunate circumstance, my
friendW inquired Anastasie, not needing his
protest, which was of daily recurrence.
THAT we have no children, my beautiful, =
replied the doctor. II think of it more az
the years go on, and with more and more
gratitude toward the power that dispenses
such Affections Your health, my darling,
| my studious quiet our little kitchen delica-
cies, how they would all have suffered, how
they would all have been sacrificed. And
for WHAT Children are the last word OF
human imperfection. Health fees before
their face They cry, my dear; they put
vexatious questions: they demand to be fed,
to be washed, to be educated, to have their
Noses blown; and then, when the time comes,
| they break our hearts, as / break this piece
of sugar. A pair of professed egotists like
you and me, should avoid offspring like an
infidelity."
"Indeedr' said she, and she laughed.
snow, that is like you-to take credit for
the thing you could not help"
"My dear" returned the doctor, solemnly,
1--WE might have adopted"
"NeverI' cried madame "Never, doctor,
with my consent. If the child were my own
| flesh and blood, would not say no. But to
take another PERSONS indiscretion on my
shoulders, my dear friend, have too much
sense"
Precisely" replied the doctor. "We both
| had. And am al the better pleased with
| ourwisdom, because-becausen- He looked
| at her sharply.
Because whatT' she asked, with faint
premonition of danger.
Because have found the right person, :"
| said the doctor. firmly, land shall adopt him
this afternoon"
Anastasie looked at him out of a mist.
"You have lost your reason" she said; and
there was a clang in her voice that seemed to
threaten trouble
Not so, my dear" he replied; 81 retain
its complete exercise. To the proof: instead
of attempting to cloak my inconsistency !
have, by way Of, preparing you, thrown it
into strong relief. You will there, / think,
recognize the philosopher who has the &c
stasy to call you wife. The fact is, have
been reckoning all this while without an 40
cident i never thou0ht To find n son of nv