Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1890-02-16
GISELE'S CAPRICE.

who was soon 10 De ner nuSDanu.
Gisele, who was in her 18th year, was
very beautiful. She was natural blonde
Her smile had the double advantage of
showing pretty teeth and two charming
little dimples in her rosy cheeks. Her
eyes were very handsome, but their glance
was somewhat imperious. She was dressed
in a robe of soft, white, clinging ma
terial that set off to advantage her girIish
beauty.
Gisele was an only daughter. She had
been reared by an indulgent mother, her
father having died during her infancy.
Although Nine. de Balny's income was
barely sufficient to support herself and
her daughter, she managed to crafty
Gisele's every within, and her whims were
many, for she was child of caprice.
Many admirers paid suit to Gisele, but
she smiled on none until Robert de ellis
threw himself and his fortune at her feet
In Robert Gisele found her supreme tri-
umph, for by his unselfish devotion he
gave the greatest satisfaction a woman
can have-to be loved for her beauty,
which was Gisele's only dover. Robert
had every qualification to be desired in a
lover. He was 25 years old, handsome,
manly and very wealthy.
When Nine. de Balny was working at
her embroidery and Robert and Gisele
were holding a tender conversation, the
door of the solon was opened, and Georges
Langle was announced.
"Good evening. my dear Madame" said
the newcomer, as he entered, bowling to
the mistress of the house.
"Ah, good evening, my dear Langle,"
said Nine. de Balny, welcoming the guest.
"This is, indeed, an agreeable surprise
When the others had welcomed him,
turning to Robert, Langle said:
81 knew that l would would find you
here, and that is why called so late,
wishing to have you present to second a
proposition which l desire to make to
these ladies'"
"Ah! tell us. What is % exclaimed
Gisele.
"My mothers cottage at St. Cloud has
Just been put in order for the summer"
replied Langle eve are going to drive
there tomorrow morning, and she desires
that you will 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 Mile.
Gisele approves of the plan, we will at
tend the fete of St. Cloud, at which,
among other attractions, will be the great
lion tanner, the illustrious Bidel, with his
menagerie. That is the proposition l
have TO offer"
"Bravow cried Gisele. "Your plan is
charming! charming Is it not, Roberto
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 Balny, her daughter and Robert
at Saint Cloud as the guests of NJ. Langle
and his mother. The day was spent in
the delightful ways which people escaping
from the city in the early summer find for
passing the time in the country. Gisele,
however, was all anticipation in regard to
the approaching fete, and especially in re-
gard to the lion-tamer, Bidel, of whose ex-
ploits she had heard great deal. Imme.
diately after dinner, therefore, Gisele,
Robert and Langle went to the fete, the
elder ladies preferring to remain at the
cottage.
They first attended BidePs performance
with his lions, which Gisele watched with
the liveliest interest. AS the performance
drew to a close Gisele became so enthusi-
astic in regard to BidePs bravery that
Langle said, jokingly, that she ought to
marry lion-tamer.
"Such is my intention" replied Gisele,
"for l am sure that Robert will not deny
the first request l have ever made of him.
Will you, Robert?" she added, turning to
him.
"Whatp exclaimed Robert. "Do you
wish me to enter the lions cage?"
eyes. Does that surprise your
"a little, 1 confess"
"You ought to have as much courage as
a vulgar tanner of animals" said Gisele,
who seemed to be put 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 courage" an
swered Robert. ut would be ridiculous
act on my part, for l would be exposing
myself for no purpose"
''You speak lightly of the prospect of
being devoured," said Langle laughing.
Langle wished to laugh Gisele out of
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 opper-
tunity to reply, said:
Certainly refuses, for the conditions are
not the same for him as for Bidel, who has
been long accustomed to being among wild
animals, and has made a careful study of
their character"
"You seem to take great interest in
matter which does not concern you," said
Gisele, who was vexed by Langle's opposi
ton.
"But," replied Langle gravely, "what
YOU ask Robert to do is very dangerous.
Besides, you forget that his mother adores
him and that she will never forgive you
if you make him expose himself in this
perilous manner"
But Gisele insisted.
every WE'LL said Robert coldly, II will
enter the cage, if Bidel will allow me to
do so, as soon as the spectator have de-
parted. l do not wish to give public
exhibition of my courage" he added, with
a tinge of sarcasm in his tone.
"Ahl | knew you would consent p
exclaimed Gisele, with apparent delight.
81 will arrange the matter at once" said
Robert.
He went to Bidel, with whom he held
a short conversation, then returned, say
ing:
1.-THE lions will be fed in few min
utes. will enter the cage then with
Bidel"
By this time the spectators had de-
parted. Robert, Laugle and Gisele APP
preached the cage. Presently the lion
tanner Joined them. He told Robert that
he was ready to feed the lions and invited
him into the cage.
mo, Robert, do not 60" said Gisele. II
do not wish you to enter the cage. l
asked you to do SO only because wanted
you to seem ready to expose yourself to any
danger for my sake"
Pardon me, Gisele, for not acceding to
this new caprice Of yours as to the first"
replied Robert. 81 have resolved to enter
the cage and L shall do So"
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