Omaha daily bee., 1889-07-08

According 10 the honest OplnlOn OIL Jne
Baron, unbiased by any self-delusion,
this doctor, with his large statue, was
| anything but beautiful. But it is
well-known fact that critics are danger
Gus for male and female artists, but
more than dangerous for the admirers
| OF the latter.
AS man OF the world, the baron con-
cealed tho unfavorable impression
which this man OF letters had made up
on him, although he wished him into
Beelzebub's company.
can old friend, madam; is IL not?"
he asked, with certain emphasis, at
their introduction. The singer con-
| firmed this. at the same timo throwing
| glance at the doctor, which seemed to
the jealous baron like look OF culpable
familiarity.
Baron Theodor sengen, one of the
sincercst OF my admirers"
"Alas! not an old friendl" added the
baron with dignity. but not less
sincere in his friendship than, you doc
tor"
The two rivals shook hands with
cordiality such as can be found only
among people that dislike each other
And again that mysterious smile, again
tho merry, laughing glance OF the
singer.
This affair began to take decidedly
| disagrceable turn. The baron could no
| longer stand by aud see this witty chat
| terer, with his red beard and his mali
| cious satire, gain step after step on that
| battlefield before the beautiful Valdini.
| 1t was absolutely necessary for him to
undertake u general attack. 1t is in ac-
cordance with the ordinary course of
| things that he who asks for the hand
| Of woman first obtains possession OF it
On IL rainy Sunday the doctor, tired OF
| the idyllic quietude Mt the hotel, OF the
| tediousness nj the table d'hote and even
| of the company of the charming singer,
| chose to take u long walk in the near
| forest; this was the moment for the
baron to accomplish q decisive result.
| He finished his toilet with the careful
ness OF II school girl who is about to make
| her debut at a ball. Then he examined
himself closely in the mirror.
| "Well, my boy" he said with a nod
| toward his counterfeit. "those are nice
stories that we hear about you in your
old age. Yes, yes, my friend, repeat
it, in your old age; however enterpris-
ing you look twisting your pitch black
mustache and bracing your chest like
Il recruit. Others you might deceive,
| but you don't me. Or do you wish me
| to tell you to your face that this pitch
| black mustache has been carefully
| dyed, that the noble and manly curve
| of that chest is accomplished with the
| help of mere wadding? Or you perhaps
wish that l should call your attention to
- But mol my dear old friend. do not
look at me so sheepishly! ] will not
betray the secrets of your toilets; L,
before all, have reason to be discreet
about these things. l only wish, as n
| friend, to call your attention to the
fact that your youthful appearance be-
| gins to require some repairs, and your
manly beauty some assistance. Don't
| you perceive those little wrinkles
around the eyes? 1t seems to lie even
! Il short-sighted person could see them.
But the fresh color of your checks, the
blooming red of those lips?-I wager,
my honored sir, that this youthful
bloom can be connected. in some
way or another. with paint
box Of full assortment. What is the
bet? Ten bottles of Veuve Cliauot
against a mug of Pilsener? Take it?
You shake your head? l see. Well, !
could give many more explanations
about this chapter.---If we take all
conclusion, my dear friend, that it is
| we'll for you to look about for a wife and
have not the courage to dissuade you
| from it any longer.-So! Lay your
hair in little more stylish and skillful
manner. Down with the monocle; that
makes you look stupid. Now try the
languishing expression on your face.
Now that OF joyful ecstasy. Well done!
l am satisfied with you, my boy. Now
go to her, and do your errand WE'LL"
Fifteen minutes after this monologue
the baron was in the elegant ana cosy
boudoir of the singer. He took a seat
opposite to her, or ut her side, it is diff
fcult to say which, con sidering the pc
culiar construction of the fauteuiIs
which are so fashionable at present
"You are grave and silent, baron,"
began the singer.
II am glad that you notice this
change: il demonstrates to you the i'm
| portance Of the matter which brings me
to YOU"
You 'righten me-" answered the
beautiful woman, with a rogulsh side
| glance.
The baron remained as grave and
| dignified as an Indian fakir. tie began:
ALLOW me to tell YOU of my desire in
Il few words. beautiful madam. ! will
commence by giving you tho plain
truth about the financial situation"
The sphinx interrupted him with her
usual bell-like laugh-that laugh which
is peculiar to soprano singers of the
| Operatic stage.
but what arc your intentions, my
friend? You begin as if you wished to
ask my hand in marriagey'
''You have spoken my thoughts" he
remarked hesitatingly, ''in all due
form"
''Stop Perhaps my circumstances are
such that must refuse my consent even
to such an excellent friend as you are;
believe you to be my friend"
II begin to understand. The doc
tor"
"Of course. But he will hardly giYe
| his consent"
This time it was the baron turn to
laugh; not en- innocent and merry laugh,
however.
81 warrant, madam, that he will con-
sent!"
The Valdini rose quickly from her
seat and became suddenly very grave.
The energy and will power of tho baron
seemed to have made u deep impression
on her. And after yon have once sue
/ ceeded in making an impression on a
woman it is easy to win the game.
"You warranty' she said in low
voice. Very we'll, If you can obtain