The Sunday herald and weekly national intelligencer., 1890-09-28
THE OLD CHIFF0NIER.
How 1t Was the Means Of Causing a
Happy Marriage.
Translated from the French for the Epoch.

Translated from the French for the Epoch.
Ny LOUIS XIV chffonier is very handsome
and graceful piece OF furniture. 1t is inlaid and
polished with locks of FURNISHED copper, and al
ways seems to be smiling, as If its red and white
mOsaics were merry, rosy lips
1t was given to me by my grandmother, who
inherited it from her grandfather, and / verify
believe that it once stood in boudor of the Pal
ace of Marty.
Never was an innocent little piece of furniture
abused and rated so mercilessly as my chfffonier
when chanced TO think of it one day dur
ing my sojourn at the Pir9us in Greece. You
will no doubt ask why l thrust my trembling
hand through my hair and cried out, Miserable
IDIOT" without stating whether the epithet was
applied to myself or to my chiffonier. Good
heavens the only wonder was that lett single
hair on my head! Judge for yourself.
l had been so fortunate some time before as to
be loved by the most charming of women. l
shall not attempt to describe her, not even by the
color of her hair; it is sufficient to say that for
image of my Dreams" At the end of that period
! allowed one of my friends to say to me, in
speaking of her, How could you be such fool?"
She sent me back my letters and neglected to
return hers, but put the whole lot into drawer
the Key.
That chiffonier was in my room; my room was
in my mothers chateau; my mothers chateau
was eight hundred leagues away, in the middle
of Provence. In setting off Unexpectedly on
diplomatic mission had completely forgotten to
had been delightful-as long as it lasted.
When | accidentally called out the memory of
those letters from some obscure corner OF my
brain started up in surprise and shame, for
knew that my thoughtlessness might seriously
ompromise woman who had done nothing I g to
my conduct had been unworthy of gentleman,
and in a fine frenzy rushed out of the house,
inquired Tor the hrst steamship bound for Mar
5eilles, took pdssage, and, listening TO nothing
but the voice Of my conscience, returned to
Erance.
A week later arrived at the maternal abode.
and will spare you recital CT the CALCULATIONS,
the What. You? George, Why! So soon ~
which greeted me as soon as | appeared. My
mother nearly stifled me with her embrace, and
was sure that something dreadful had happened
TO me- and had great difficulty to reassure her.
When she had grown calm said. in as inditfer-
ent q tone as possible:
will You have my yalise sent TO my room,
mother, dear?'
Certainly, my son. you must be tired out"
she answered. Then summoninR servant, sne
Pierre"
You mean the green room" added.
NO, the blue room" persisted my mother.
But the green room Is my room"
1T lcaS yours once, George" she said, sml-
"And whose is it now ?' asked in surprise, and
my mother pointed to the door, saying merrily:
"GabTiele." cried, going To meet my cousin,
the loyeest and most charming of girls, with
abundant blonde hair, eyes as blue as heaven. "A
II was she. Of all persons, who was occupying
the green room, and who no doubt, had ran
Unfortunate, thrice unfortunate man that /
was
Gabrielle, gay, artless, and confdng, though a
trite shy, gave me her nand, looking delicious,
she said:
How do you do, Cousin GeorgeY"
BY face must have betrayed my confusion as
TOOK her hand and looked searchingly for some
sign OF dssmulatiOn in her soft eyes Had she
found the letters had she read them To tell
the truth, Mrs. ---- mad loved me aTdently, and
mad been 50 lmprudent as 70 express her senti-
ments in writing, running the gamut of obs and
al wit u at hll
thereto. And suppose little Gabrielle had read
them / blushed at the thought
But quite calmly she said How do you do,
Cousin George Eh-that was all, and in my great
palm lay soft, cool m8idenly little hand.
An, but what abyss is deeper than woman q
heert as the Psallnlst says; suppose she had read
the letters! The only way to make sure was TO
20 INTO the room ard look for them. Gabrielle's
room! What sweet melody in the words, yet
felt that dared not enter that sanctuary, al.
though mad known my cousin since she was
child.
Come, George, and see how pretty / have
arranged your room,n she said suddenly
Joy, bliss, ecstasy filled me as she spoke; was
saved, Innocence had come TO the rescue OF de
Lightly and gracefully she ran up the stair
case; what pretty ngure she had l followed
her like culprlt feeling almost afraid to 20
but yet must at all hazards get my letters.
My former room perfectly charming
decked out in blue and white, and with no odO
Of cigars anywhere. The little bed was modestl,
draped with snowy curtains, which looked DkI
the wings of guardian angels. i looked rount
anxiously for the old chihonier; there it stood a
usual.
am dying of thirst, said.
She took up the caratfe, but 1, artful demon
had already obserN cd that it was empty.
wait minute. | will getyou some water,
she said, and left the room.
j rushed 10 the chlnonier, and opened III