Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1889-06-06
FORTUNES FAVORITE.

be was happy-go-luckY fellow, my
uncle, Col. EdOuard Griffard. Among
his comrades he was known as fortunes
faVorite.
At the age of 40 he was colonel of a
regiment of hussars and an officer of
the Legion of Honor. He was high
spirited. brave as lion, and well edu-
Gated. He had an iron constitution,
that enabled him to endure suffering
that would have killed an ordinary
man.
Such was my Uncle Edouard when,
In 1869, it was our fortune to be in
camp together at Chalons.
One day | was dining at his mess,
and while we were over our coffee the
sergeant entered and handed him a
letter.
Excuse me-" he said.
He tore open the envelope, from
which fell the photograph of young
woman. With a quick movement he
picked up the photograph, and gazed
at it moment with a look of admira-
ton. Then handing it to me, he said:
1T is Suzanne. She is right, poor
girl. ought to have informed her of
my arrival"
Then he handed me the letter, which
was as follows:
"My Dear Guardian: Is it right for you to
act thus toward poor little prisoner who has
only you in the world, and who loves you so
much? Only one paltry letter since your de-
parture for MexicoI And l have had to re-
Oeive from one of the sisters of the convent
the news of your return to France. For the
last eight days every time heard the bell an
nouncing the arrival of visitor / have
thought 1t was you who had come TO see me.
But was always mistaken. The visit was
always for some of the other girls, sisters of
the officers who have made the campaign with
you-this campaign during which / have
wearied heaven with prayers for your protec-
ton. Fortunately, shall pass part of my
vacation with your sister. Come and see ms
time to your little SUZANNE"
From that time my uncle was not the
iovial man he had formerly been.
When he received that letter it waa
nearly time for the summer vacation,
and his sister, my aunt, had invited
Mdlle. Suzanne to spend it with her
and her daughters.
We both obtained leave of absence
in order that we might visit my aunt,
who had a beautiful estate in the
valley of Chevreuse.
Soon after our arrival at my aunt's
home | noticed that whenever my
uncle was In the presence of Suzanne
he was cold and reserved. At times
he would pass his hand over his fore
head, as though his thoughts troubled
him.
Suzanne's position was well known
in the family. An old friend of my
uncle, captain in the Sd cuirassiers,
had on his deathbed named him in his
will as the guardian of his daughter
Suzanne, then girl of years, a
pupil in a convent.
One morning my uncle aroused me
early. Two saddled horses were wait
ing for us and | accompanied him in
his daily ride. We were riding side
by side when, suddenly turning to-
ward me, he said:
''Why do you not marryp"
l laughed and replied:
Because / have not cared TO do so.
And youP"
"Ah, Ip am too old. What do YOU
think of Suzannep"
.'She is one of the most beautiful
and fascinating girls 1 have ever met"
Very well, l wish you to marry
her."
l looked him full in the ewes. He was
confused.
h8b 40 NV u L SSail. 4Ou 1Of6
her"
Nonsense! my ward! Why, I am
twenty-three years older than shei 1
would be mad to think of marrying
her"
Il do not know whether or not you
are mad, but know, my dear uncle,
that you are trying to deceive your
self"
THAT is not So" he answered. "If
Thought it was generally supposed
that wished to marry her l would
leave this place at once"
''Ah, well, let US say no more about
It," | said.
After breakfast we all went into the
garden. As we were leaving the house
/ told Suzanne that [ wanted a few
words with her. She became q little
pale as she exclaimed:
..Ah, already!"
1t was Suzanne who first spoke.
..My guardian" she said, told me of
his plans yesterday. | do not know
whether or not you agree with him,
but before you tell me / wish to saw
that shall only marry the man whom