The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1889-11-02

placed the injured vines with others from
America. M. Lemmonier would not listen.
"You have deceived usp' he exclaimed.
''The affair is ended"
But as this did not accord with the desires
Of Blanche Lemonnier the affair was not
ended. She persuaded him to withdraw his
objections to the marriage, not by speaking
Of her love, for she knew that such an argu-
ment would have little influence with the old
tradesman, but by warning him of the scandal
which the breaking of the engagement would
cause, and by threatening that she would
never marry and would enter convent old
and classic measures which never fail to
bring cbdurate fathers to terms.
The contract accordingly was signed and
the marriage took place. TIL ennptials, how
evea. were not accompanied with rejoicings
The fathers-in-law looked at each other like
dogs that are old enemies and the mothers
in-law seemed ready to eat each other. The
guests whom gossip had made aware of the
situation where constrained and bored. There
was no laughter; the conversation was car
rled on in low tones. The marriage ceremony
was melancholy affair.
The wedding feast would probably have
been equally as melancholy If on entering
the festal hall the two families had not en-
countered the joyous presence of my friend
Martin, who gayly welcomed them. He ex-
tended his hand to each of the fathers. in-law
smiling as though he himself were party to
the wedding, and he said in reassuring
tone:
Everything has been looked after. These
| imbeciles had made several mistake, but it is
all right now"
| M. Durand thought that he was an intimate
friend of the Lemonner family; NJ. Lemon
nier supposed he was friend of the Durands
both shook him warmly by the hand. His
joyous face and his eager manner seemed to
restore their serenity NJ. Lemonnier. how.
ever, yielding to his natural distrust, leaned
over Martin and, whispering, said:
"What is your name? 1 cannot recall it.. .
"Martin-Henri Martini" answered my
friend Don't you remember me?"
"Ah! yes-Martin! yes, Henri Martini
remember it now. 1t is strange how one for
| gets names on such an occasion. Martin
yes, yes, Martini
He tried to shake hands with Martin again.
but the latter hal flown to the side of the
bride.
Here, madame" he said, there is your
place." Then. tapping Joseph Dnrand on
the shoulder, he remarked: "You ought to
consider yourself very happy man. Your
wife is on adorable creature"
| He did not stop to listen to the thanks OF
the bridegroom, but moved about the table,
calling the names of the guests and sho wing
them their places. He was so gracious with
the elderly ladies, so respectful to the young
| ladies and SO alfalfa aud inzial with thu men
that In 10 minutes he had made conquest of
the whole wedding party.
Martins good humor was infections and
communicated itself to the guests. and when
at last he took his seat, after having assured
himself that all of the others had been
properly placed, discreet ripple of laughter
ran down the table.
The gloom had been dispelled. M. Durand
and M. Lemonnier conversed amicably ant
| passed mutual compliments in regard to the
charming Henri Martin, whom each believed
to be d friend of the other; the coantenanc,
| of the mother-in-law softened, and the
| bridegroom said to his bride:
HE is very attractive man, your friend
Martin"
you should say your frieud.'
"Ah! yes, your friend, our friend You
friends are now my friends and mine ar,
yours"
| When Martin was seated he made a sign Il
the steward to serve the dinner, and he con
tinued to direct the proceedings. He ate blu
little, OCCUPYING himself in making others ca
and drink From time to time he called thu
walters attention to the fact that wine wa:
| wanting at one end of the table, that som,
point in the service had been neglected Al
the bridegroom as follows:
"Durand,, my friend, you are speaking tt
the bride in too low a voice. That will not do
my friendl Upon my honor, 1t will not do p
The groomsmen, who were utterly eclipseo
by Martin, contented themselves with form
ing little court about the bridesmaids
When the time for toasts arrived Martin
rose to his full height, glass in hand
Conversation ceased All eagerly awaited
his words. Addressing the newly-married
couple, he said
"My young friends-for as l have long
been the friend of one of you, 1 consider
myself henceforth the friend of both-it is
as friend that l wish you happiness on
your entrance into married life. But |
ought also to address to you few words of
advice, to warn you of the adversities of
earthly existence, of the reverses of fortune
that are incident to it.
M. Durand and NJ. Lemonnier listened
with open mouths.
'But fear nothing" cried Martin. "You
shall pass VIGOROUSLY through all trials,
and then your vines shall no more be blighted
by the phylioxera and your bankers shall
not fail. Our most illustrious savants are
seeking remedy for the evil caused by the
phylloxera. They shall find it, The ruined
lands shall become rich and credit shall be
re-established. Your happiness shall be
crowned by fortune. My young friends, l
drink to your future, to your children, to
your grandchildren, to your greatgrand-
children"
Martins toast was loudly applauded. M.
Lemonnier pronounced it to be most felici-
tous. There were other toasts, but scarcely
any one listened to them. Everything
oA'SN uDOus 0udltlu, WIN WAS SOUu UuSy
directing the removal of the table in order
that the room might be cleared for dancing
IL was Martin who opened the ball with
one OF the bridesmaids. All followed in his
train, like people under charm, singing
hymeneal songs. 1t was he who presided
with gravity over all the amusing little
ceremonies, without which wedding feast
among the bourgeoise would be incomplete,
1t was he who at last conducted the young
couple to their carriage.
1t is eight years since Joseph Durand was
welded to Blanch Lemonnier. They are
very happy and have three children, who
dote on their friend Henri Martin. M.
Durand's vines yield superbly, his banker is
solvent, and his 100000 francs are drawing
interest To this day the two families
dispute over the question whether their
friend Henri Martin was invited to the
wedding, feast by the Dufands or by the
Lemonniers.
Great artistic excellence has been reached
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A German militarv offinnr hoe fnupd 10 ,>on