The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-02-23
A VISITING CARD.
Embarrassing Results of Slight
Mistake.

1t was q rainy day in January. Large
drops were beating monotouously against
the windows of red brick house, whose
white stone trimmings and other heavy
architectural concentrations wore that air
of having been manufactured by the thou
sand which characterizes the dwellings, of
those good people who have gained wealth
without gaining taste.
Behind the guipure curtains on the first
floor stood handsome blonde looking out,
with bored expression in her cold blue
eyes. This was Solange Tarveuue the only
daughter of a respectable bourgeois, who,
having made his money in trade, now lived
rcutleman OF leisure in this fine new
house.
"HeavenI" exclaimed Mile Tarvenue
show tiresome this rain is! One can't go
out to make any calls, and no one comes to
see one. It's enough TO give one the
spleer!"
''The spleen2 What's that" asked NJ
Tarvenuc from tho depths of his paper.
''Souething you don't understand, papa"
said the young lady impatiently.
Suppose you practice a little, my daugh-
ter" suggested Nine. Tarvcnue, putting up
some stockings she had been darning. "That
piecD, You know, you are to play at the
Pauipiur Tonight
ayes, it would be worth while, would it
not3' sueered Solauge. people who don't
know ono note from another As though
there was any one in the Vile Able, any
way, who did. What is the use of having
any talent for any thing when one lives in
the provinces2"
80, the provinces again! Solange is in a
bad humor. Pill get out of the way" re-
marked NJ Tarvenue
leave the child alone. The temperature
affects her. 1t is psychological" said Nine.
Tarvenuc, who flattered herself that she
understood her daughter, and was upon the
same intellectual level, albeit the latter had
been educated in Paris.
She went down stairs with the girl, and
there Solange, with-one must be just--a
good deal Of mere digital briliancy, began
to practice one of those snowy and utterly
hollow musical productions in which there
are technical difficulties in profusion, but
absolutely not one note that can speak to
the heart or the mind
In the midst of these trills and chromatic
scales the bell rang.
THEREOF cried Solauge, stopping short
.l'm sure that is a cali. You see, mamma
you were very wrong to say that you were
not at home to visitors. Every one is not
as much afraid of bad weather as you are"
My dear child, what are you thinking of !!
Such a day as this! Why, the parlor furni-
ture would have been ruined by peoples
wet clothes!'
peoples wet clothes! 1t is to be hoped
the people we know would wear water
proofs, as long as they come on foot" added
the young lady, bitterly
She rang the bell. A young servant girl
came in.
Bring the cards that were left just now"
The servant returned. Solange threw an
Indifferent glance on the bit of pasteboard
Suddenly her face lighted up; she exclaimed
quickly:
Mamma! It was NJ. de Prevaret! And
you didn't receive him."
an. de Prevaret!" walled Madame Tar
venue
"Dear me! What pity, uow!" cried So
lauge, souriy.
M. de Prevaret was considered the very
best catch in Vile Able! Y0utg and hand
some and clever, and the possessor of large
fortune he lived with his mother, the dowa-
ger countess, in one of the most sumptuous
residences in the town. And this young
man on whom every woman of rank with a
marriageable daughter smiled, had rung the
,doorbell of the Tarvenues, and left his cards
for them! Hebowed to them, because they
bowed to his mother, but he had never been
introduced to the ladies.
''What can it mean" asked Nine. Tar
venue anXiously.
Solange was standing before the glass.
''Why, it seems to me that it is very
clearv' she replied, with deep complacency.
haven't you noticed, my dear mamma, that
evet.r time we go 10 hear tho band play III.
de Prevaret is there, too"
"Wnat !--why--do you think-w Mme.
Tarvenue did not dare finish, so audacious
did hor thought seem to her.
And why notP demanded Solange,
throwing up her blonde head with a trium-
plant air that made her really immensely
handsome.
"You are right" mIrmurod poor Nine.
Tarvenue; you are pretty enough"
1t was quite true that Solange Tarvenue
was handsome enough TO inspire passion,
but she would never have had any attrac-
ton for fastidous man. This young per-
son, with her sculpturesque form, her opu-
lent contours and her dazzling coloring, was
absolutely lacking in innate refinement or
distinction. No reflection of q gentle ma.
ture, an elevated soul, ever gave that in
-describable charm to her regular features
that such attributes only can convey She
was clever enough, but it was "a thoroughly
material sort OF cieverness, and 1t was