Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1890-12-12
THE OLD CH1FFoN1ER.

Wy LOUIS AF CnlHOnler Ii very
handsome and graceful piece of furni-
turo IL is inlaid and polished, with
locks Of FURNISHED copper, and always
seems to DO smiling, as il its red and
white mosaics were merry rosy lips.
1t was given to me by my grand
mother, who inherited 1t from her grand
father. aud l verify believe that L once
stood in boudoir Of the palace Of Marty.
Never was an innocent little piece Of
furniture abused and rated so merci-
lessly as my chiffonier was when |
CHANGED to think of it one day during
my sojourn at the Perseus ia Greece.
You will no doubt ask why l thrust my
trembling hand through my hair and
cried out, "Miserable IDIOT" without
stating whether the epithct was applied
to myself or my chiifonier. Good
heavens, the only wonder was that I
left single hair on my head Judge
for yourself. ga 88
| had been so fortunate some time
before MS to be loved by the most charm
ing Of women. | shall not attempt to
describe Der, not even by the color Of
her hair; it liz sufficient to say that for
two years I called her my angel and
"bright image Of my Dreams" At tho
end Of that pe.iod allowed one Of my
friends to say to me in speaking of her,
"How could you be such a fool ?" She
sent me back my letters, and neglect
cd to return hers, but put the whole lot
into drawer of my old chiffonier, with
out thinking to turn 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 the Prov
ence. In setting off Unexpectedly on
diplomatic mission | had completely
forgotten to destroy those remains Of an
attachment which had been delightful
as long as it lasted.
When | accidentally called out the
memory Of those letters from some OBJ
scure corner Of my brain, l started sup
in surprise and shame, for knew that
my thoughtlcssness might seriously COM
promise a woman who had done moth
ling to deserve such treatment at my
hands Ifelt that my conduct had been
unworthy of gentlemen, and in a fine
frenzy j rushed out of the house, in
quired for the first steamship bound for
Marseillcs, took passage, and listening
to nothing but tho voice Of my con-
science returned to France.
| A week later arrived at the mater
nal abode, and will spare you asrecital
of the calculations, the What! You2
George! Whyl So soon ?" which greet
cd me as soon az | appeared. My
mother nearly stided mo with her en-
brace. and was sure. that something
dreadful had happened to me, and A had
great difficulty TO reassure her. When
she had grown calm said in Us indiffer-
ent tone as possible: sfaaif
"Will you have my valise sent TO my
room, mother dear 7" ea MHrf
"Ccrthinly, my son |; you must be
tired Out" she answered. Then sum.
moning servant she ssid, Take my
sons baggage to the blue room, Pierre"
"You mean the green room, II I'D.
ded. Ell ta 1m8
mo, the blue room" persisted my
mother. w lf8
"But the green room is my room"
1T was yours once, George" she said
smilingly.
"And whose is it nov ?" asked 10
surprise, and mother pointed TO the door,
saying, merrily.: q Gltf4I
"Here comes the present occupant"
Gabrielle p I cried, going TO meet
my cousin, the lovliest and most charm.
ing Of girls, with abundant blonde hair.
eyes as blue as heaven, smile Of child
ish innocent and teeth like pearls. II
was she, Of all persons. who was occupy
ing the green room, and who no doubt
had ransacked the drawers and cup
| boards.
Unfortunate, thrice unfortunate man
that was
Gabrielle, gay, artless and confding,
though triae shy, gave me her hand,
looking delicious as she said:
"How do you do, Cousin Georgei"
f'My face must have betrayed my con-
fusion as | took her hand, and looked
searchingly for some sign Of dissimula-
ton in her soft eyes Had she found
the letters; had she read themI To
tell the truth Mrs. - had loved me
ardeutly. and had been so imprudent as
to express her sentiments in writings,
running the gamut of obs and abs With
plentiful exclamation points attached
thereto. And suppose little Gabrielle bad
read them blushed at the thought.
] But quite calmly she said, "How dc