The morning call., 1890-12-07

Ha7EH
PHILIPPE PROVOST

IL.
to the beautiful Madeleine, and the friendly
but not less earnest contest began at once.
The farmers daughter seemed rather
amused than seriously touched by the
marked attention Of the two friends, while
as for Maitre Zephyre, in his homely but
forcible language he informed the old
notary that ''the only difference between
rich mans son and young army officer was
that one spent money which his own father
had earned, while the other spent money
some one else's father had earned"
But there was surprise in store for the
farmer OF Bosc-Mesnil, and it came to him
few weeks later in the shape of double
offer of marriage for the hand of his daugh-
ter, the notary acting for his ward as well
as for his son.
-" You must make your selection, Maitre
Zephyre," cried the old notary, laughingly.
They are both good boys, but one has a
pot Of mo ey and the other next to moth
ing
!" Ha, hal" ohuekled the peasant farmer;
1T seems, friend Dumontier. that we CON-
mon people are good enough for you aristo-
Gratis when our lands are broad. Zoundsi
all the spendthrifts in Yyetot want to marry
Madeleine and go to Paris and live On the
proceeds of my farms. They'll not do it'll
III have none OF them, not even your pale
faced boyp'
Several days after this interview Maitre
Zephyre carried his answer to Notary Du-
monitor.
II tell you. friend Dumontier." said he,
what I've told all the others who come to
me with their fine promises. I'll not give
my girl awayl Eve spent twenty thousand
francs educating her. She has mind of
her own. She knows what she wants better
than do. When she gets ready, she'll
make her own pick. Tell those youngsters
that's what Maitre Zephyre SAYS
When Rene heard this decision on the part
of the old farmer, his heart strings snapped,
Tor he had hoped that his fathers money
would Influence the thrifty peasant to favor
his suit. Now that the question of fortune
was eliminated from the contest, Rene
became suddenly conscious of his Woe
ful lack OF that ability to translate his feel
lnss into words. That he loved Madeleine
as deeply as Outlet, he did not doubt, but
would he be able to tell her so, and to tell
her SO in surh a way as to persuade her that
he was speaking the truth?
That was the question, and very Import
ant question it was.
Days and weeks went by, and with such
exquisite coquetry did the beautiful Made
ieine repel the earnest attentions Of the two
friends that they half began to persuade
themselves that she would really end in dis
missing them both as suitOrs.
ne tline was now approaching when the
hing OF vetot was accustomed to entertain
the mobiles ana gentry Of his tiny kingdom
by series OF feteS. A thousand c0lored
lanterns shed mellow radiance upon the
fountains and banks OF flowers, imparting Il
fascinating ar OF unreality to tie gardens
and Conservatives. AT one of these fet.ss il
was that Guillot led tie fair Madeleine at the
end If " liz, out OF the glare OF the ball
room and lnto the seeming world of fantasy
which lay around the chateau
Armand could distinctly feel against his
arm tile throb of her heart, now that it, beat
was intensified by the Intoxicating measure
oil the waltz.
"Mademoiselle, he uttered almost in
WHISPER. INV leave of has al
run It's length"
InStinctiyely Madeleine drew closer to
Armand'S side as these words We're spoken.
and he could iaintiy feel her hold tighten
upon his arm.
Nay, Madeleine" continued Guilot,
scarcely above a whisper, that is not all.
After few days in Pans | must hurry on
10 MarsellieS and join my regiment, for il
has been ordered to TOnQuin."
Madeleine shuddered and her heart seemed
TO miss beat, FOL size raised her hand TO
her throat and pressed it there as If to en-
courage life to resume its healthiul march.
"Madeelne," murinured Armand, ''the
time has come; you must speak or"
AT this moment cluster of white roses
pinned upon her corSage, was loosened by
her arm, which still lay across her bosom,
ana iell 10 the ground. GuillOt stopped and
picked them up, and as be did 50 the figure
OF the n0tarys son appeared on the gray
eied walk. H, was seeking Madeleine,
who was pledged to him for the next dance.
AS Armand held the roses out, Madeleine
liked her glorious eyes full upon his face
Ihey were flied with tears
Keep them. On, keep themp she wills
pered as she laid her ungloyed hand within
Armand's for brief instant; then turned
away and fastened toward DumOntier.
Guillot quickly thrust the roses into the
breast OF his tight-fitting uniform coat and
stood there watching that retreating figure.
SO tail, so like wood nymph's in Its native
grace and beauty; and as he stoud thus
straInlng his eyes to follow her, that wad of
crushed roses seemed to be burning into his
very hearts fiber. But its Ere was such a
blisSful pain that many minutes passed ere
he could bring himself to move away. lest
Dy stirring he might stay the charm Of those
hUwers which still glowed with the warmth
OF the bosom from which they had fallen.
CHAPTER II.
Andre Boulanger had graduated from the
Military Academy in the same class with
Guillut and been assigned to the same regi-
meat, AMI no hand grasped Armand's with
more cordially than did his upon the return
OF bis classmate from the old town of
Yyetot.
Boulanger was a genuine Partisan. as
ready for duel as for drinking bout-a
handsome fellow, with large dark ewes
curly brown hair and small, regular tie .ih
as white as dogs. 1t was not to be won
dered at that womrn turned SOFT chances
upon this handsome face. But Bou anger's
admiration was for the sex in general.
g Lie ls.toO short to devote ones self TO one
woman," was one of his favorite shibbo-
letbs. As every fiber of his frame was at
tended by bravery, the news that his regi-
ment mad been ordered to Tonquin was
extremely pleasing to him, and almost the
first word lie uttered after encircling Guillot
in vigorous embrace was:
'Ab, but Armand. my boy. isn't this
superb! To think that in less than sixty
days we are to smell gunpow der on real
battlefield. Ha, ha, ha, it is almost too
good to be true. But hearken, comrade
do you know what Pm going to do? Every
Celestial kill Pm going to cut off his cue
and take home the collection for braids for
my sweetheartS in Paris. la, ha hal"
GuillOt made a wry face.
why, mon dieu, Guillot, what's the mat
ter?" inquired Andre. you look so
changed; you're not the same Jolly fellow
You used to be. Look you. I'll wager ten
francs to wisp Of straw that you've fallen
In love with some country beauty"
There can be- no wager on a certainty"
replied Gullot. quietly. you've struck it,
Andre. l have fallen in love; nay, more,
LIN engaged to be married to one of the
sweetest women that ever drew breath-an
angel perfect angel"
Oh, bahr cried Lieutenant Boulanger:
that's enough for me. When man sinks
so lowas to cali woman an angel in solemn
III MI ;;sz :: =