Evening journal., 1889-11-14

In less than an hour the Mauvaire family
we're aware that the uncle from whom they
had expected SO much, possessed no other
wealth than cheerful disposition and an ex-
cellent appetite, and their disappointment
was 50 keen that it soon became apparent to
him. Martin grew thoughtful and SILENT
Clemence sadly left the room. and their
mother, on seeing that the youngest grand
child was in terror Of the monkey, insisted on
banishing it to the garden. at last the uncle
found himself alone with his nephew: and
having drained his glass, he threw himself
back in his chair, whistled softly for minute
and then, fixing his eyes on the young man,
said slowly:
1T seems to me, my boy, that the wind is
blowing from the northeast in this house
You are like icicles to your fathers brother
But never mind, you viii all be sorry for it.n
He took up knife and began cutting
--ash slice of ham, and his hcarer, struck by
his confident air wondered whether a trick
were being played: "He wants to try us
thought Martin, ''he never would be so jolly
and contented if he had not a cent in the
world. We have been idiotsln
Muttering some eyasive reply to his uncle's
last words, he slipped out Of the room and
FASTENED to tell his mother and sister what his
returned to the sitting room with smiling
faces and profuse apologies for their absence,
the women saying that household matters
had detained them.
"You have had nothing to eat, hrother,S
said the widow, opening the pantry and
bringing out the leg Of lamb, why has not
Julienne attended to her dutyl Clemence,
where is the tart you made for your uncleln
In another minute they were all partazing
Of a generous meal and talking merrily.
The visitor looked admiringly at his pretty
niece and said: "You are the image of your
father, my poor George. Though / have
never seen you before, my dear, have
heard a great deal about you.n
"From whomgn she asked in SURPRISE aud
at that moment a voice behind her exclaim-
ing "Clemencer made her start up and look
round her. 1t was only the parrot, who was
perching on the back of her chair.
"Clemence Mauvaire, y it said solemnly.
"Who taught it her namef' asked the
mother.
Uncle Bruno answered: "JalSo learned it
from young man who happened to be on
the ship with lis coming over. He was a ne.
tive of Ormondville."
'Was it Marsm cried the girl.
THAT is his name, my dear. He is coming
home determined to settle himself in life; he
talked great deal about you"
"Then he has not forgotten me- thought
the girl, with bright blush overspreading
her face,
'I have something for you, sister, " said the
sailor, 'but am afraid there will be sad
nessn-
"It is about poor Didiern murmured the
widow, with mothers quick perception.
"You are right, he said; II CHANGED to be
on the coast of India where he was wrecked,
and found the spot where they had buried
him with some others. planted a bush on
the grave.n
"oh, thank you, Brother!'' y said the mother,
tearfully.
'tThen learned that his watch was in the
possession Of one of those miserable Lascars,
SO ! hunted him up and gave him all had
for it, and here it is.
He put an old silver watch into her hands,
and she, recognizing it as her sons. pressed it
to her lips and sobbed softly. The others
wiped their eyes, and Uncle Bruno hurriedly
drank a glass of cider to hide his emotion. A
long talk followed, and although the Mau-
vaires found that their first impressions had
/ been correct-their relative having returned
to his home absolutely as poor as he had left
/ 1.-THE attentions they now bestowed on him
were dictated by pure affection instead OF by
| policy, as before.
Martin having left the room for minute,
came hurrymg back to ask his uncle what he
would sell the monkey for.
"Sell Rochambeauf cried the old man.
why, raised him myself, and he has
always been my companion He loves me de
votedly, and shall never have another mas
| ter. Who wants himin
The young man replied with disappointed
air, that the count was passing and took such
a fancy to the funny animal that he told
/ Martin to find out the price and bring it up
| TO the chateau.
"Ten him it is not for sale," said the uncle,
lighting his pipe.
ut is very unfortunate said Martin,
wistfully, ''for he said that he wanted to see
me about the position-and your refusal viii
/ put him in such bad humor."
The uncle, on hearing what this position
| was, said: ''Then l give you the monkey,
I Martin, and you can do what you like with
him. Now 20 at once, before the count
changes his mind.n
An hour later the young man returned
and delightedly recounted how he had OBJ
tanned the position at q good salary.
ut is all your doing, Bfnno,n said thI
widow; ''how thankful we are that you cam,
| homer
"Why, / brought you nothing but tw,
useless brutes, ne answered, with twinkle
in his eye.
But Clemence put her arms about his neck
and laying her pink cheek against hi
bronzed one whispered softly: "Deares
uncle, You have given to each of us a price
less treasure-to my brother work, TO m,
mother a remembrance and 70 me-a hope.
| Adapted for The Epoch from the Frencl
Of Emil Souvestre by Isabel Smithson.