The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1890-07-18

| OF one OF them the doors OF review
were opened to the young writer
whose first series of contributions re
ceived marked approval from the liter
ary world. His first novel, 81
Friends Wife," achieved biliant sue
cess, and the comedy which he drew
from it met with an enthusiastic recep
ton on the first performance at Odeon
From that time his reputation wa
assured, and he consequently began tC
acquire enemies A collection of hi
articles from The Vert Vert into
volume entitled "Contes Roses" drew
from the pen of the bilious st. Landr,
a critique so scathing, so bitter, so un
just, that Fougeret acting on the ad
vice of his friends, had sent hi,
seconds to the jealous writer.
And tomorrow he would be on the
field as calm and careless as he haG
been before. What better satisfaction
could be given him? Nothing coulC
be more agreeable, thought Fougeret
as he halted before his modest little
house and turned the key in the door
"At last, Armand" said a soft voice
coming from the kitchen; Il am SC
glad. Wait in the dining room; din
ner is ready"
He entered the room. The table
was set with four plates, and the room
looked so cosy and pleasant that the
young man gave vent to contented
sigh. The next moment the door oi
the kitchen opened, revealing a dainty
little woman, somewhat pale, with
very blue eyes and very blonde hair
holding smoking soup tureen, and
followed by 4yesr old baby who
solemnly brought up the rear with the
ladle.
"How is this'" inquired Armand
sitting down and unrolling his napkin
after having tenderly kissed his wife
and children; "you are waiting on the
tablet Where is Rose?"
''Rosea' replied the little woman
with shade of embarrassment, "she
has gone. / sent her away"
"Sent her away'" said Armand sur
prlsed, and why?'
"She was dishonest" replied Claud-
ine, "and l could not keep ber. So
paid her and dismissed her. You owe
your dinner to Georget and me-"
"Yes,' said Georget, gravely, "it
was us. Don't you like soup, papa!"
Excellent" declared Armand; 81
congratulate you on your skill. But,
lowering his voice, "where did you get
the money to pay her with?'
81 used what you gave me for the
house this week. l knew that since
your new book is nearly finished yot
could go to your publisher tomorrow
and ask an advance"
Armand trembled.
$50 we can get along nicely" con
tinued his wife; 81 would rather wal
until your novel was finished, but
do not think l am strong enough to g
without eating until then. l have tn
will, but not the substance, you know.
"But you shall have the money,
broke In Armand; "you must not tir
your self out. will have i'll will
take it-200-600 francs, if you wish.
"That will be BETTER" said Claudine
with charming air of content, 'be
cause now ! will not have to part wit
my piano. wanted to keep it sec
ret from you, but found il a superfu
Gus luxury, and they were coming to
morrow to take it away. With th
800 francs we can get nurse for tn
little one and 80 many other things"
II see," said Armand, with a sa
smile, ''that the money will not lat
very long
"But in three weeks your novel wi
be finished and then we shall be ric
again. Then | shall have new dres
Look, / have made this one over 6
many times that there is scarcely an,
thing left to hold the threads together
"Yes," replied Armand, gazing ;
the poor little threadbare gown,
know-I know"
"And you must have some ne
clothes, too, my dear. And a ne
dress for Georget. Why, we will spen
at least fifteen hundred francs"
Fifteen hundred francs," repeate
Armand, thoughttully.
eyes. 1t is a large sum for US
spend now. dear. But your novel wi
bring us at least three thousand, an
to think that it will be finished
twenty days"
| SIN twenty days" said Armand, r
lpeating the words in a mechanic
manner.
| "Ah, how happy we will be-. sal
the little woman, her eyes sparkling
the prospect of good fortune which 81
beheld in prospect, 1--WE can pass I'll
summer at the seaside. GeorgeJ sha
have a pretty red cap and we will g
joy ourselves as we did four years ag
when we were rich. Do you remer
Der how we used to 60 grabbing ar
that big ferocious crab that frightent
me sol 1t all comes back to me agai
and with all the other pleasures ov
to you. Kiss me, my DEAR" and ii
affectionate wife threw her arms abo
the neck of her husband, who embra
ed her tenderly.
"But,' said Claudine, when she hs
dsentangled herself from Armand
arms, sit is 9 o'clock already. / mu
put baby to bed and see that the hou
is safely locked But first let me s
you to your table"
And taking the lamp Claudine pl
ceded her husband into his little stud
adjoining the bedchamber,
There she said, drawing near f
a parting kiss, "until we meet agai
Work quickly. Think that o
happiness depends on those pages"
Claudine went out. Armand seiz
his pen, but in spite of his efforts
found it impossible to write a sing
line. Other thoughts, which refus,
10 he banished. oceupied hia min