Omaha daily bee., 1889-06-08
a1SELB's CAPRICE.

| raulanCe throughout Jne room. III was
simply furnished, but was adorned with
profusion of flowers and plants. Three
persons were in the salon-Mme. de
Bainy, Gisele, her daughter, and the
latter's betrothed. Robert dc Gillis, who
was soon to be her husband.
Gisele, who was In her eighteenth
year, was very beautiful. She was u
natural blonde. Her smile had the
double advantage of showing pretty
teeth and two charming little dimples
in her rosy checks. Her eyes were very
handsome, but their glance was some
what imperious. She was dressed in n
robe of a soft, white, clinging material
that set off to advantage her girlish
beauty.
Gisele was an only daughter. She
had been reared by an indulgent
mother, her father having died during
her infancy. Although Nine. dc
Bainy's income was barely sufficient to
support herself and daughter, she man
aged to crafty Gisele's every whim,
and her whims were many, for she was
| child of caprice.
| Many admirers paid suit to Gisele,
|
| ellis threw himself and his fortune mt
her feet. In Robert Gisele found her
| supreme triumph, for by his unseliish
| devotion he gave her the greatest sat
isfaction a woman can have-to be loved
| for her beauty, which was Gisele's only
dover. Robert had every qualification
to be desired in lover. He was twen-
ty-five years old, handsome, manly and
very wealthy.
| NNTh;la Mna la p,;o,, ,,,o, ,,,n,l,;,,, ~
at her embroidery and Robert and
| Gisele were holding a tender conversa-
| tion, the door of the salon was opened,
| and George Lnngle was announced.
| Good evening, my dear madame,"
| said the newcomer, as he entered, bow
| ing to the mistress of the house.
| "Ah, good evening, my dear Langle,"
said Nine. de Bainy, welcoming the
| guest This is, indeed, an agreeable
| surprise"
| When the others had welcomed him,
turning to Robert, Langle said:
| Il knew that l would find you here,
and that is why called so late, wish
| ing to have you present to second n
| proposition which l desire to make to
| these ladies'"
I "Ah! tell us. What is it?" exclaimed
| Gisele.
"My mothers cottage at St. Cloud has
| just been put in order for the summer"
| replied Langle. ''We are going to
drive there tomorrow and she desires
| that you accompany us. We shall leave
| Paris in good season so as to avoid the
| heat of the day. Breakfast will await
| us on our arrival. We will spend the
warm part of the day swinging in our
hammocks and gossiping under the
elms. We will dine al fresco, and then
if 'Mdlle Gisele approves of the plan,
| we will attend the fete of st. Cloud, at
| which among other attractions, will be
the great lion tanner, the illustrious
Bldel, with his menageries. That is
the proposition | have to otfer.n
''Bravo!" cried Gisele. "Your plan
is charming! charming! Is it not Rob
ert?" she added turning to her lover.
Robert agreed with Gisele that their
friends plan was faultless, and it was
adopted with enthusiasm.
Accordingly, the following day found
Nine. de Bainy, her daughter and Rob
ert st. Cloud as the guests of NJ. Langle
and his mother. The day was spent in
the delightful ways which people es-
Gaping from the city in the early sum-
mer find for passing the time IN the
| country. Gisele, however, was all an
ticipatiOn in regard to the approaching
fete, and especially in regard to the
lion tanner, Bidel of whose
exploits she had heard a
great deal. Immediately after DIN
ner. therefore, Gisele, Robert and
Langle went to the fete, the elder
ladies preferring to remain at the cot
tage.
They first attended Bidel's perform
ance with his lions, which Gisele
watched with the liveliest interest AS
the performance drew TO a close Gisele
became so enthusiastic in regard to
Bidel's bravery that Langle said, jok
ingly, that she ought to marry lion
tanner.
''Such is my intention," replied
Gisele, "for am sure that Robert will
not deny the first request have ever
made of him. Will you, Robcrt?" she
added, turning to him.
What" exclaimed Robert. "Do
you wish me to enter the lions cage?'
''Yes. Does that surprise you?'
"a little, [ confess"
'You ought to have as much courage
as II vulgar tanner OF animals" said
Gisele, who seemed to be pat out by
her lovers backwardness in boarding
the lions to please her whim.
But to do what you ask me to do
would by no means be proof OF coar-
age" answered Robert. ut would be
a ridiculous act on my part, for | would
be exposing myself for no purpose.
You speak lightly of the prospect of
being devoured," said Dangle laugh
ing.
Langle wished to laugh Gisele out of
her caprice. Gisele, on the other hand,
did not really wish her lover to enter
the lions cage, but she wanted him to
seem ready to do even that for her.
Then you refuse?" she asked Robert
with an air of disdain.
Langle, without giving Robert an
opportunity to reply, said:
"Certainly refuses, for the conditions
are no the same for him rs for Bidel,
who has been long accustomed to be-
ing among wild animals and has made a
careful study of their character"
You seem to take great interest in a
matter which does not concern you,"
said Gisele, who was veXed by Langle's
opposition.
But" reglied Langle gravely," "what
you ask Robert to do is very dangerous.
Besides you forget that his mother
adores him and that she will never for
give you if you make him expose him
self in this perilouS mapnern