Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1889-05-11
FORTUNES FAVORITE.

He was a happy 9o-lucky fellow, my
uncle, Colonel Edouard Griffard. He
was ever ready to risk his lie, to take
any chance, and chance seemed always to
favor him. Among his comrades he was
known as Fortunes favorite.
At the age Of forty be was Colonel OF
q regiment Of IIussars, and an officer Of
the Legion Of Honor. He had an In
come Of six thousand francs, enough to
enable him TO live well and maintain his
position, but not enough to tempt him to.
relinqnish his military career. He was
high-spirted, brave as a lion, and we'll
educated. lie was at once gay and
philosophical, accepting without a muir
mur the ~fatigucs and privations Of a cam.
palgn, and enjoying to their full the
pleasures and advantages of life in garri.
son. He had fought in the Crimca, in
Africa, Italy and Mexico, escaping with
only two insignificant scratches. lie 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, where his regiment,
which had been decjmatcd bv yellow
fever, had been ordered.
He was not more than six wears nv
senior, and ne bowed me rs though I was
~ Younger brother.
One day | was dining at his mess, and
While we were over our coffee the Sergeant
uttered and handed him a letter. lie
cooked at the superscription and knitted
his brow>, and ~ shadow seemed to fiji
over his handsome face.
Excuse me, he said.
Hc tore open the envelope. from which
i'H tn" photograph Of a Young woman.
With a quick movement he picked up the
photograph, and -azed at it a moment
with a look II admiration. Then, hand
ing II II M. he said
~ : Suzann" She is right, poor girl.
) ought to have informed her Of my ar
rival.
Then he handed me tn letter, saving
What progress she has made"
Why, Of course" / replied, she is
''vehtttn years old, you forget that
! read the letter, which was rs follows:
EN 6AIIllAN- l. II llyNt for Won
10 act mus toward 4 poor httie prisoner W he
haN 'i'ly y"ii N the world and who loves YOU
= indch> only one paitrv letter since. your
"partlTe Ter NcvlCo' ArA 7 hove had =, re-
ftINe from one II the Slst . of tho Ionven,
me nov 81 your return 10 France. For the
pass o~ht days every time | have heard the
l"4l announcing the arrival Of a visitor | hay,
thought Il was YOU who had come to see m.
btlt | was always mistaken. The visit was
hi"aNs Tor some Of the other girls. sisters of
INC ohlCers "Ao iaNc made this campaign
"'th Won TIM campaign during which |
nave "'arlti ueaNen with prayers for Your
protection Fortunately | shall pass n rs RI
= my vacation With Your sister. Come md
se~' nle at her house and sacrifice a little q,
vour time 20 vour llt.!!p SrzAvS. !,
RON that time NY uncle was not tic
'e'lal man he haj formerly been.
Nhe he received thai. letter i, was
ntaFIN time for The summer vacation, and
ms SISTER, my aunt, had invited Mile. SUI
kanne 70 spend i With her and her
daughters
\ ,e> 'n'y mako rapid uorress.
these young girls The little Girl who
was lank and awkward in short skirts.
Whe>' complexion was dirgy and whose
hands we're red, becomes a beautiful 60:
ductlHe creature, with golden hair ana q
~Nlph hike form. like that Of PSYCHE m
incarnation Of the spirit Of spring time
We both obtained leave Of absence n
order that ~e might visit ny amt. who
mad 9 beautiful estate in the valley ..
Chevreu>e
Soon after etr arrival 1t NIX ,un.s
home | noticed cat whenever my uncI,
was ~ Inc prs Hee of Suzanne be was
'"'P tld reserved. VI times ne would
.fa>> his hand over his forehead. IS thouch
his thoughts troubled him. Every morn.
M by > o'clock he was on horseback
ana u was often 10 before be returned,
MS horse always showing signS Of havine
been ridden hard.
Nuzanne'~ position va> well known il
the family. Amold friend OF my uncle !
Captain IN the THIRD Cuira>sier>. had !,
hIs death- bed. named him in his will as
the guardian of his daughter suzanne
then a girl Of eighr years, a pupil in a con.
vent.