The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-03-02
FORTUNES FAY0RITE.

was high spirited brave as q lion, and well
educated lie was 40 onco gay and phlo-
sophical. accepting without murmur the
faticlcs and privations Of a campaign. nnd
ENJOYING 70 their fun the pleasures and adj
vantages OF life In garrison lie had Fought
in tho Crimca, In Africa, Italy and Mexico
escaping with only two Insignificant scratches
He had an iron constitution that enabled him
10 endnrc suffering that would have killed an
ordinary man. 80,
Such was my uncle Edouard when, In 1869,
81 was our fortune % DO In camp together at
Chalons, where his regiment which had been
dccimatcd by yellow fever, had been ordered.
lie was not more than six years my senior,
and no loved me as though ] were younger
brother
Ono dav was dining 40 bis mess, and while
We were over our coffee the sergeant entered
and handed him letter. Elo looked at tho
s;rerscripfion and knitted his brows, and a
shadow seemed 70 fit over bis handsome face.
Excuse me" he said.
lie tore open the envelope, from which fell
the photograph Of n young woman. With
quick movement he picked up photograph,
and cazed at it a moment with "a look Of adj
miraion Then, handing it 20 me- he said;
at is Suzanne She is right poor girl /
ought 20 have informed her Of my arrival"
Then be handed me the letter, saying;
'What progress She has madeV
"Whv. Of coursow 1 replied "she is II
years Old, you forget that"
read tho letter, which was as follows;
Ny pr.a GuAaDiAx-ls u right for you 10 act
thus toward a poor little prisoner who has only
YOU IN the world and 1ho loves you so muchf
Only ono palfry letter since your departure Tor
Mexicoi And have had % receive from one Of
tho sisters Of tho convent the news Of your return
10 France For the past eight days every timo
have heard the bcll announcing the arrival or a
visitor have thought 70 was you who had come
20 see me. But was always mistaken The visit
was always Tor some Of tho other girls, sisters OF
the officers who have made this campaign with
vou-this campaign during which have wearied
heaven with prayers for your protection. iortu
nafcy shall pass a part Of my vacation with
your sister. Come and see mo at her house, and
sacrifice a little Of your time 70 your little
SUZANNE
From that time my unclo was not the jovial
man no had formerly been.
When he received that letter IL was nearly
time for the summer vacation, and his sister,
nv aunt. had invited Nile Suzanne TO spend
IL with her and her daughters.
"Ahl yes, they make rapid progress, these
Young girls Tho little girl who was lank
and awkward in short skirts, whose com
plexion was dingy and whose hands were red,
becomes q beautiful seductive creature, with
golden hair and syiph-iko form, like that
OF Psyche, an incarnation Of tho spirit Of
spring time.
We both obtained leave Of absence in order
that We might visit my aunt, who had a
beautiful estate In the valley Of Chevreuse.
Soon after our arrival at my aunt's home ]
noticed that whenever my uncle was in tho
presence Of Suzannehe was cold and reserved.
At times no would pass his hand over his
forehead, as though his thoughts troubled
him. Every morning by b O'Clock be was on
horseback and il was often 10 before he re-
turned, his horse always showing signs Of
having been ridden hard.
Suzanne's position was well known in the
family. An old friend Of my uncle, captain
in the Third cuirassiers, had, on his death
bed, named him in his viii as the guardian Of
his daughter Suzanne, then girl Of years,
pupil in a convent
One morning my uncle aroused mo early.
Two saddlcd horses were waiting for us, and
accompanied him in his daily ride We
were riding side by side when, suddenly turn
ing toward me, he said;
"Why do you not marryr
I laughed and replied;
because have not cared TO do so. And
your
"Ah, II I am too old What do you think
of Suzannep
'She is one Of the most beautiful and fasci-
hating girls have ever met"
''Very well, l wish you to marry her"
looked him fun in the eyes. He was con
fused
"That Is not true" ] said. "You love her. "
He laughed with forced laugh as no re-
piled:
"Nonsensol my wardl Why, am twenty
three years older than shell / would be mad
70 think Of marrying her"
81 do not know whether or not you are
mad, but know, my dear uncle, that you
are trying TO deceive yourself"
at is not so, he answered IF / thought
IL was generally supposed that | wished to
marry Ger would leave this place at once"
"Ah, well, let as say no moro about H." i
said.
During breakfast | observed my uncle and
Suzanne. Her manner toward him was win
some and attentive, whilo bis was reserved
and severe.
After breakfast, as the morning was beauti-
full, we all went into tho garden. As We
were leaving tho house / told Suzanne that
wanted few words with her, and we walked
apart from tho others She became a little
pale as she exclaimed;
"Ah, alreadyw
Iperceivod that my uncle was casting q
dark look toward us II was Suzanne who
first spoke.
s'My guardian" sho said, "told me Of hi,
plans yesterday. ! do not know whether OF
not yon agree with him; but before you tell
me wish TO say that shall only marry a
man whom love, and do not love you"
III thank you FOR your frankness,n replied.
81 do not, however, agree with my uncle, and
approve OF your sentiments l cannot UNI
derstand why no should DO 50 anxious for u:
to marry"
at is not difficult 70 understand, " she an
swered. "lIe wishes to rid himself Of q
troublesome ward, as he himself desires 70
marry. He evidently loves some woman.
But why doesn't he marry and leave mo to
myself will not trouble him | can re-
main a. a teacher in the convent whore am
Studying ltat ~ my cholcc.
A tear rolled down her soft chNcS.
"You would not like 70 SEQ him marriodr
said.
I'll" she exclaimed. "a, would be moth
ing
She did not finish tho sentence, sob
choked her. Then, suddenly turning from
me. she ran down into the garden. leaving mo
standing alone
"liow she loves himr' exclaimed
That evening went 10 my unclo's chamber
Ind related tho scene 10 him. He was pale as
y a specter.
you have done bad thing" ho said
"llow 70, sincs have revealed you to each
other and shown you how 20 be happyp
Happy exclaimed my uncle. ~ tell you
that ! would be a monster II | should marry
Suzanne"
was dumfonnded lie made me promise
that Suzanne should never know what he was
about 70 reveal 20 me- | felt that was
growing az pale as my uncle
DO you know how the father Of Suzanne
diedF ho asked do you know thatf
IL -.