Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-03-15

would have other things to consider, my
| friend. The lady might decline to marry
YOU; and Monsieur your father might exer-
else the brutal privilege of an Englishman,
and ''cut YOU off with shilling" No, no,
| Alphonse; he thankful that you are cltl-
zen of the Republic
But AIphouse did not feel thankful or
pretend to be so; he said in meaning tones:
| Il Yesterday took the first STEP
you do not mean to s aY'-. The rest
of NJ, Bernier's speech was spoken in an
awe-struck whisper.
Alphonse pressed his lips together and
It was true. On the morning of
| the previous day gentle
man = who pursued an honorable
calling analogous TO that of sherif-oficer,
had waited upon NJ. Georges Thevinet with
a document of portentous size in his hand,
and demanded audience of that gentleman
in the name of the law.
What have you there?' NJ. Thevinet in
quired of this official as he produced his
paper.
1T is the proces.verbal, Monsieur. On be-
half of your son, Monsieur Alphonse The
vinet, do you consent to his marriage with
Mademoiselle Adrienne Mesnildot?'
much asperity.
The legal gentleman requested that he
might be furnished with pen; and having
received it, wrote down NJ. Thevinet's an
swer with great care upon the document.
Il have the honor to bid you respectfully
adieu, Monsieur he said, as he rolled up
the paper and put it under his arm. twill
be my duty to call upon you once more
in a months time 4 fear you will have
the trouble OF calling also a third time,'
said M. Thevinet, forcing himself to be
calm. is it not SOP
The polite official shrugged his shoulders
in depreciation. IF Monsieur did not give
his valued consent the second time the
process verbal was presented, he said, doubt
less it would be the wish OF NJ. Alphonse to
have it presented two months hence for the
third time
And then?' inquired NJ. Thevinet, who
knew all aboutit, but was anxious for fuel
to feed his wrath.
why, then, if Monsieur withheld his
permission on being asked third time, NJ.
Alphonse would be legally able to marry
without The polite official made a pro-
found bow and hastily withdrew. M.
Thevinet's anger ADMINISTERED him, and he
appeared about to vent it upon his visitor.
Had NJ. Thevinet been an Englishman
with an Englishman's power over his own
property, he would most inevitably have
sent for his solicitor and altered his will
that day. But he could not; a French
parents estate is, irrespective of his wishes,
divided by the law among his children or
heirs at his demise; so NJ. Thevinet could
not enjoy the remote satisfaction. However,
ne did the next best thing. He wrote to
Alphonse, and told him that until he re-
turned to his roof, penitent and prepared to
marry Mademoiselle Laguerre, he should
give him only the barest pittance upon
which to exist. If you think, wrote the indig-
nant father, 'thatMonsier and Madame Mes
nildot will accept a penniless suitor for their
daughter, the legal steps you have taken to
set the necessity Ior obtaining nv consent
aside, will have served their end. But 1
doubt whether in your new position you will
receive the welcome which they accorded
your representative, NJ. Bernier. 1 should
advise you to think this over at your leis-
ure.'
When Alphonse received this letter, he
recognized the weakness of his case, and
proposed compromise. If his father would
not call upon him to marry Mademoiselle
Laguerre ior three years, he on his part
would renounce his intention of marrying
Mademoiselle Mesnildot. Would NJ The
vinet receive his sorrowing son upon these
terms?
Ihe language In which the
old gentleman INDUCED when his
sons answer reached him was
dread ful to hear. He would agree to no
conditions whatever, and Alphonse might
take his choice-Madamoisel Clarisse, or
poverty in solitude until tine end of his
fathers lifetime. He wrote at once direct
ing his son to choose, reminding him that
this was the sole favor he had ever asked in
return for all he had done for him. 1t was
a powerful and pathetic letter; the heart of
Alphonsc was touched by it, and he gave
way. After a bitter struggle with SELF he
made up his mind to obey his father; he sent
the sheriff-oficer his fee, and directed him
not to serve the proces-verbal again; re-
packed his portmanteau, and went home in
q cab.
How old NJ. Thevinet called upon Ma
dame Mesnildot and explained that NJ.
Jules Bernier's visit had been paid under a
misapprehension; and how Madame Mesnil-
dot said she was sorry, but that it didn't
matter, because she had not mentioned
the subject to Adrienne yet, it boots not
to tell. We have only to conclude the his
tory of the wooing of Alphonse by the bare
statement that his father took him down to
Bordeaux a month aiterward, stood over
him while he agreed to the promesse de
marriage which Monsieur lie Notaire had
prepared and saw him espouse Mademoisele
Clarisse Laguerre at the bureau OF Monsieur
lie Maire. Mademoiselle Clarisse promises
to be a model wife in all respects, and every
body is contented and happy.