The Evening post. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1888-1889, 1888-11-05
A W0MAN'S RUSE :;
FOR HERSELF ALONE.


heart there. Rosine was not only
pretty girl, but she had a refined man
ner, and could hardly believe that the
old peasant woman she lived with was
indeed a relative.
| am afraid / made a little progress in
the art after ! made Rosine's acquaint-
ance, for ! much preferred to make love
to her than paint fishing smacks.
] was reminded of my other duties In
life when / returned to my studio one
day and found my father awaiting me.
He remarked as he looked over my paint
ings that | seemed to be working very
slow. / said the weather had been too
disagreeable to paint outdoors, and he
seemed satisfied with the excuse.
When he told me the object of his visit
/ was thunderstruck. In true French
fashion, without asking my consent, he
had made arrangements for me to marry
the daughter of an old friend of his. The
young lady was beautiful, an heiress,
and was lucky man to get her.
Marriages are arranged by the parents
In France. What could | say? l had
not at that moment the courage to say:
II love the niece of poor old peasant
woman who lives in little cottage"
Perhaps it was cowardly, but to avoid
explanations for the present ] agreed to
return to Paris with my father early the
next morning.
After our supper / stole down again to
old Mannette's little cottage, and peeping
through the windows, saw both women
together bending over some object at
which they were looking by the light of
the shaded lamp. 1t was beautiful pic
ture-the old brown face set off by ITS
high white cap, long golden earrings and
bright blue kerchief; the young one fair
rosy, soft, and all in purest white. Rosine
dressed like n Partisan.
Come out. Rosine,' / whispered
through the blinds. 81 have come to
tell you something" / whispered, as /
led her away from the door 81 am GO
ing to Paris tomorrow. My father will
have it so. He has chosen a wife for me
some rich lady whom l am told to
marry for her money. And / am ordered
to show myself to her."
'Then good-by, Monsieur said
Rosine, holding out her hand. ave shall
not see you at - again"
"Rosine," said, "you must hear me
out. l am not going to marry this
heiress. hate herl'
Poor heiressl What has she donc?"
asked Rosine.
also hates me. But / will not have her;
will marry girl love or none. Ro-
sine, when ! come back will you marry
mel ! shall be very poor, for my father
will not help me if l disobey him; but
we will live here on bread and salad. l
will paint great pictures, and grow rich
and famous. You will not be afraid
you, PEASANTS daughter, Will you have
me2"
Rosine looked at me. After while
she put her hands in mine.
''If you come back and ask me to-"
she answered.
~ swear it," said. 81 plight my
faith to you before God"
l took from my little finger, as spoke
curious old ring wore and slipped it on
her forefinger.
at is our betrothal ring" said I.
Then l kissed her and we parted
At dawn | went to Paris with nv
father. / had determined on my course,
but delayed the confession. OF course
j did not intend to present myself
before Mile. Monterpan; that would have
been ungentlemanly; but before l had
been in the city twenty four hours I
found myself in position from which /
would have given thousands to extricate
myself.
My father and myself were in cafe,
when suddenly n gentleman stood before
us, offering us his hands. 1t was Mon
seur Monterpan.
"Ah, how are you," he cried 81
have Just been to the train to receive my
daughter, whose old nurse has Just
brought her home from the seaside.
They are taking coffee Just beyond there
mo time like the present for introduce
ing the young people"
] turned pale-my knees knocked to-
gether Once introduced in this way to
Mile. Monterpan l should be considered
coward and rascal to retreat from the
engagement. Yet must do so.
Very WELL" | said to myself, "No
doubt NJ. Monterpan will challenge me
probably kill me. Very well it is fate"
How bashful he is" whispered NJ.
Monterpan in my fathers ear as he led
the way.
We crossed the cafe. At table sat
young lady dressed in exquisite style,
and an old woman in servants cap.
Their backs were towards us. NJ Mon
terpan approached.
"Rosine my dear" he said, "here is
my old friend, Monsieur Burnot, whom
you know, and his son, Monsieur Henri
whom as yet you do not know"
Rosine What coincidence stood
staring at the young lady as she rose
turned and bowed to us. | was incapa.
BILE of any word or motion, for the like
ness was astounding.
Rosine Yes And this old woman
was Mannette, in another cap
Rosine smiled and bowed sweetly. l
managed to bow and mutter something.
Mannette's old black eyes laughed,
while her mouth was held close shut.
mo, Monsieur Henri; never told you
that / was Mannettes niece" said
Rosine, q little while after. "She was
my nurse, and go every summer to visit
her at her cottage. We knew who you
were, and what our parents intended,
and 1t pleased me to be 'courted'-is not
that what they call it?--liko an American
girl. oh, how shocked Maunette was at
my conduct"
This was aside. The two papas drank
their wine together, and whispered
How soon they have taken to each
other !"
And Rosine and are to be married in
September
1lE jug goes to the water until IL breaks,
Not a., o..