Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1890-02-13

tore her smile, and because she imagined
that with him life would be an uninter-
rupted series of pleasures. Joseph
Durands love for Blanche was equally I'M
selfish. He adored the charming, spright-
ly little brunette; he adored her plump
figure, her bright face, her velvety eyes
and her beautiful waving tresses.
Great was the CONSERVATION, therefore,
when on the evening before the day set for
signing the contract, NJ. Lemonnier, be-
fore the assembled members of the two
families, declared that the marriage
should not take place. Having become
suspicious NJ Lemonnier had, a few days
before, undertaken to verify the declara-
lions of the Durand family, and he had
Just received the news that the banker who
had held the 100000 francs which his pros
pective son-in-law was to inherit, was
about to suspend payment.
You knew this, monsieur" he said
to NJ. Durand, yet you did not tell u.s.
NJ. Durand warmly defended his banker,
who, he declared, was an honest man, and
he asserted that ;although temporarily en-
through the crisis In his affairs. NJ. Durand
said brusquely:
your 100000 francs But that would be
nothing if your vines were not blighted by
the phylloxera, or if your banker fails it is
because Gascony has been ruined by the
phylloxera. >
In vain did NJ Durand explain the dep
relations of the enemy; that he had at
great expense replaced the injured vines
with others from America. NJ. LemOnnier
would not listen.
"You have deceived us!' he exclaimed.
1.-The affair is ended
But as this did not accord with the de
sires of Blanche Lemonnier the affair was
not ended. She persuaded him to with
by speaking of her love- for she knew that
such an argument would have little infu-
ence with the old tradesman, but by
warning him of the scandal which the
breaking of the engagement would cause,
and by threatening that she would never
marry and would enter a convent, old and
classic measures, which never fail to bring
obdurate fathers to terms.
The contract accordingly was signed
and the marriage took place. The nup-
tials. however, were not accompanied with
rejoicings. The fathers-in-law looked at
each other like dogs that are old enemies
and the mothers-in-law seemed ready to
eat each other. The guests whom gossip
had made aware of the situation were con-
strained and bored. There was no laugh
ter; the conversation was carried on in low
tones. The marriage ceremony was a
melancholy affair.
The wedding feast would probably have
Il.
the festal hall the two families had not
encountered the Joyous presence of my
friend Martin, who gayly welcomed
them. He extended his hand to each of
the fathers-in-law, smiling as though he
himself were party to the wedding, and
he said in a reassuring tone:
Everything has been looked after.
These imbeciles had made several mis-
takes, but it is all right now
NJ Durand thought he was an intimate
friend of the LemOnneir family; M Lemon
nier supposed he was a friend of the Du-
rands; both shook him warmly by the
hand. His joyous face and his eager man
ner seemed to restore their sincerity. M
Lemonnier, however, yielding to his natur-
al disgust. leaned over Martin and, whis-
pering said:
What is your name? I cannot recall
it."
"Martin-Henri Martin, answered my
friend. Don t you remember me?'
"Ah! yes-Martin! yes, Henri Martin!
| remember it now. 1t is strange how one
forgets names on such an occasion. Mar
tin-yes, yes, Martini
He tried to shake hands with Martin
again, but the latter had flown to the side
of the bride.
Here, madam, he said. there is your
place" Then tapping Joseph Durand on
the shoulder, he rema1aed: ''You ought
to consider yourself a very happy man.
Your wife is an adorable creature.
He did not stop to listen TO the thanks
of the bridegroom, but moved about the
table, calling the names of the guests and
showing them their places He was so
gracious with the elderly ladies, so respect
full to the young ladies and so affable and
jovial with the men that in fifteen minutes
he had made a conquest of the whole we'd
ding party.
Martins good humor was infectious and
communicated itself to the guests, and
when at last he took his seat, after having
assured himself that all others had been
placed, discreet ripple of laughter ran
down the table
The gloom had been dispelled. NJ.
Durand and NJ Lemonnier conversed
amiably and passed mutual compliments
in regard to the charming Henri Martin
whom each believed to be friend of the
other; the countenance of the mothers-in-
law softened, and the bridegroom said to
his BRIDE
HE is a very attractive man, your
friend, Martin.
you should say your friend. "
''Ah, yes, your friend, our friend. Your
friends are now my friends and my friends
are yours.
When Martin was seated he made sign
to the steward to serve the dinner, and he
continued to direct the proceedings. He
ate but little, occupying himself In making
others eat and drink. From time to time
he called the walters attention to the fact
that wine was wanting at one end of the
table, that some point In the service had
been neglected at another part Of the
board Then he addressed the bridegroom
as follows:
''Durand, my friend, you are speaking
to the bride in too low voice. That will
not do, my friend! Upon my honor, it
will not do. ;"
The groomsmen, who were utterly
eclipsed by Martin, contented themselves
with forming a little court about the
| bridesmaids
| When the time for toasts arrided Martin
rose to his full height, glass in hand.
Conversation ceased. All eagerly awaited
his words. Addressing the newly-married
couple, he said:
| My young friends-for as l have long
been the friend of one of you, consider