The morning call., 1890-12-07
scissors. and. to make amends for his ter.

of time I've real Kings, Kings of Yvetot.
Ii is one of these good little Kings of
Yvetot who has always been such favorite
with French poets and been held mp by
them in strong contrast to the real Kings,
who seemingly take such pleasure in taxing
and depressing their people and driving them
of to be slain i'll useless wars.
Lieutenant Gnillot had just graduated
from the military school aud was very
proud OF the gold lace of his handsome uni
form, which set off to fine advantage his
erect and graceful carriage. His apple-red
cheeks and warm gray eyes, however, were
IN strong contrast to the pale and scholarly
lace Of MS friend DumOntier, whom he was
now visiting, Dumontier's father being his
guardian.
Guillot had passed very little of his life in
lvetot and hence 1t was quite natural that
he should have turned to his friend for in
formation concerning the beautiful Made
leine. AS tho farmers daughter disap-
peaIed In the distance, strange silence fell
upon the ynung officer and he walked along
with his gaze fixed upon the ground.
Come. come, Armand" said the notary's
son; don't take this thing so much to heart.
You're a soldier and you'll win the love of
maidens as easily as the bays of victory.
Soldiers and sailors, you know, are pro-
verbally heartless. Love-making is mere
paStime with them
" Don't speak so lightly of this matter. L
tell you love that girl madly, and although
il may be love at first sight, yet that's the
most dangerous kind. so I'm told. Its like
a shot at close range; it tears its way
through with terrible effect
Again dead silence came upon the two
friends as they crossed the public square in
the grand old town and directed their foot
steps toward the elub-rooms. 1t was early
in the afternoon and very few members had
made their appearance. The notary'S son
led the way into the reading-room. and.
strange TO say, the two young men instinct
lively drew apart and took seats on opposite
sides OF The room. They both unlocked
file OF papers from the rack and seemed to
be suddenly deeply engrossed in reading
but keen observer would not have failed
10 notice that it was mere semblance of at
tention, that in reality neither of them was
reading word. 1t was mere pretext on
the part u each to enable him to think
calmly over the adventure OF the half hour
just passed and the words which it had
prompted each to speak to the other.
The notary's son had been fippant al
most jestfnl. Was it not a mere snb.er-
tuge? Did h. not mean to throw his friend
OFF his guard in order the better to outstrip
rule, Rene was anything but flppant. To
him life was an earnest problem-so
earnest in fact, that be had thus far
brought to naught all the efforts of his
father, tie I'D notary, to inyeigle him into
marriage. Rane would not be hurried he
wanted time to think the matter over. The
young officer knew all this, and hence had
he been particularly struck by his friends
banter and setting. 1t startled him. He
found himself gazing blankly at the news
paper which he was holding up before his
eyes. and with sudden impulse he fused
the file of papers aside, sprang up and
walked to where the notary's son was
sitting.
.'Rener' exclaimed Gnillot solemnly. so
solemnly that his friend was quite startled
byit
For heavens sake. Armand" answered
Dnmontier; whats the matter? You
really frightened me. / didn't hear your
step. / was thinking about Madeleine"
The young officer fairly staggered as this
name struck his ear. 1t seemed to him that
the notaiy's son had not pronounced it in a
sufficiently respectful tone of voice. Al
though he had heard the name of Madeleine
spoken thousand times in bis life, yet for
this on e. the sound OF the word sent a
mysterious thrill through his frame. He
was upon the point of crying out: ''.Sir,
don't presume to mention that lady by her
first name in that way to mew when he be-
thought himself and forcing a smile to his
lips, spoke as follows:
Rene, / believe it is an old German
pToverb which says that in money matters
all soclability ceases. i think it should be
amended and the words 'loye affairs" be
put In place OF money matters" If any
one had ever told me that ANYTHING in the
shape of woman could ever come between
us SO as TO endanger our lifelong friendship,
should have been Infinitely amused, and
Yet mud myself oppressed by mysterious
something at this early stage in the proceed
officer. lowering his voice, I'VE must be
CAREFUL
why, what do you mean, Armand ?" iu-
terrupted the notary's son. coloring up as he
met the earnest look of Gnillots big round
eyes.
. mean," replied his friend. "that in this
matter we must be more than honorable
We must be honor itself. Madeleine must
be the sole arbiter of our fates. We must
not-ncr must any one for us-striye in any
way TO gain an undue advantage. / speak
after the manner of my profession. It must
De fair hight in an open field. There must
be no ambuShes, no masked batteries no
strategems. We must have no allies, no
companions in arms. We must ride forth
with ianceS couchant, flying the device
May the best man VIM Do you agree
with me. ReneY
do, most assuredlyF exclaimed the
notary's son, in very earnest tome of voice !;
and speaking for myself. while I'm will
ing to admit that have, in a manner that is
Characteristic Of me, admired this fair mai
den for more than year, yet have l never
either to her father, whom / know, or to
any living being. breathed a confession of
my love; SO, my dear Armand. we stand
g Not so. my friend" replied the young
ofilcer; you are ricn mans son, while 1
nave nothing but my sword, and its blade
Is as you KNOW, new and bright"
An, true, my boy" made answer Du.
montler with sigh; but you have what I
lack.a fine figure and handsome face"
A faint blush ran up toward the Young
officers hair as he cried out:
Good! then we are perfectly Matched"
and reaching out his right hand he Crashed
his friends right firmly and heartily, while
almost lnstiDctiyely their left hands flew
into the air in token of a solemn compact.
Each looked the other full in the ewes.
and each seemed satisfied that there was no
guile or reservation of thought in the
honest and manly CLEAN which he saw
there.
1t so happened about this time that
Notary DumDntier was summoned to attend
lfaitre Zephyre at the latter's spacious resi-
denct, at RLsc- MaSnil for the Advancement