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

that the principal should sit quietly al
home. while a trusted family friend con-
veVed the weighty petition to the beloved
objects mother. Alphopse had never
heard that there are cases on record in
which young Englishman has taken upon
him to address the girl OF his choice herself
without ever consulting the parents
on either side at all; and if he
had, he would not have believed it even
of Britons. The idea of doing such 6
thing never crossed his mind.
You have, hope, made good break,
fast?' he said to NJ. Jules as his friend drew
the napkin from his collar with sigh oi
content.
Excellent; 1 thank you,' replied nj.
Bernier With your permission, l will
light cigarette, and you can inform me
regarding your pecuniary position, that
NAV explain it to Madame Mesnlldot.'
Keeping carefully in mind that he had
taken his fathers consent for granted,
Alphonse instructed his friend TO say thar
his allowance when he married would be
1900 francs per annum, and that he ex-
pected to inherit not less than half million
of francs at his parents death. He
had nothing else to say, except that
a life's devotion would be Mademoiselle
Adrienne's. and he should be glad
to learn whether her dot was
not to be $50, 900 francs, and the furnished
house on the Boulevard Caucholse.
M. Jules Bernier elevated his expressive
eyebrows as he heard this. One hundred
and fifty thousand francs and that beautiful
house-furnished, parbleui-on the boule-
ward is much to expect, Alphonse, my friend,
he said.
Nevertheless, you will say that, if YOU
please. replied Alphonse. 1t was matter
of business, and Alphonse was no child.
AS YOU wish, answered NJ. Bernier with
a shruC as he rose from his chair and ad-
iusted his cravat at the mirror. 1t is now
1:3O o'clock. l will go to Madame Mes
nildot's, and return direct to you here, at
perhaps o'clock.
L will await you in the salon. said AL
phonse with dignity, and he followed his
friend to the door.
We need not dwell upon the suspense of
NJ. Alphonse Thevinet. or upon the eager
ness with which he received his ambassador
when he reappeared two hours later.
You were long gone, he said breathless-
" But do not delay; tell me Madame
Mesnildot's reply
Her reply answered NJ. Bernier, with
the smile of one who loves to bring good
news, SIS. Yes. She assured me that Made
msiselle would be overwhelmed with graft
tude for her good fortune. and that her dot
would not De less JOah lUU,UUUl
And the furnished house,? queried AL
phonse.
Madame said nothing of the house. an
swered NJ Bernier, NJ. Bernier had done
this kind of Office be ore, and knew better
than to drive bargains at the first interview.
A cloud gathered upon the brow of AL
phonse. He had persuaded himself that NJ.
and Madame Mesnildot would have prom
ised all he chose to ask, and he had de-
manded thus much, that he might make as
surance doubly sure when he came to re-
quest his fathers permission to marry Made
moiselle Adrienne. He was disappointed.
"A hundred thousand is a small dot for
Monsieur Mesnildot to give his only daugh-
ter be said.
4 would counsel you to let that side of
tie matter remain for settlement between
Monsieur, your father and the
rarents of Mademoiselle,' replied NJ.
Bernier. when does Monsieur
Theyinet return to Rouen ?''
Alphonse could not tell for certain. He
was travelling in the country near Bordeaux,
and had no fixed address at present; but he
expected him to return at the end of the
month.
We'll, will offer you nv congratula-
tions, and take nv leave for to-day said
NJ. Bernier. 1t has given me great pleas
ure to have had the honor of conveying
your message to Madame Mesnildot.'
Alphonse hastened to express his graft
tude ior the service his friend had done
him; the indebtedness, he said with SINGER
itv, was all on his side. Without Jules, ne
had been quite at loss to address Madame
Mesnildot; thanks could not repay NJ.
Bernier for what he had that day per-
formed. He kissed Jules upon both
cheeks as he bade him adieu,
danarF 3bra,-
himself into chair to dream of Mademoi-
seIle Adrienne.
Two weeks later, NJ. Georges Thevinet
returned home from his travels, and was re-
ceived with effusion by son.
L have news for thee, Alphonse, said the
old gentleman as they entered the salon
arm-in-arm.
And 1 for thee, also, replied his son.
But first of all, give me yours
NJ Georges Thevinet beamed upon AL
phonse with paternal pride as he answered
in impressive tones: L have found for my
Laguerre that you shall espouse his daugh-
ter, Mademoiselle Clarisse.'
'Mademoiselle Clarisse!' exclaimed AL
phonse. Sir, she is 40
She is but 3S,' replied his father in cor
rection.
She has sqint,' said the son.
She has $50, 900 francs said the father
fixing upon Alphonse look In which affec-
tion and cupidity were happily blended.
1T matters nothing cried Alphonse; for
love another
'Eh! What's that?' inquired old M.
Thevinet, who was a little hard of hearing.
But two weeks since, I received Madame
Mesnildot's sanction to marry Mademoiselle
Adrienne.'
Then you must write and apol-
ogise for your mistake. have
already told you that you are
afianced to Mademoiselle Clarisse La
guerre," replied NJ. Thevinet firmly.
'Neverp cried Alphonse with a gesture OF
despair.
But you are. I absolutely refuse to
sanction your marriage TO any one else.
Mademoiselle Mesnildot will not receive
one-third-mark me, boy!-not one-thlrd of
the dot with which Monsieur Laguerre Will
endow his daughter
Il care nothing for the dot cried AL
phonse wildly. ('The boy is madr muttered
M. Theyinet, seuior.) 4 will marry no one
but Adrienne, ,A-dri-enne.' And at this point
the feelings OF Alphonse oyercame him and
he sobbed.
Coercion, diplomacy and persuasion were
tried by NJ. Thevinet in turn with barren
results; and finally there ensued quarrel
SO violent that Alphonse packed up his
portmanteau and left the house.
'To think of the boys contracting matri-
monial engagement without word to me =
said NJ. Thevinet to himself as he retired
that night. What on earth can have got
into his head? What is the world coming
top
'To think of my father giving away nv
hand like thatp said Alphonse as he strobe
down the Boulevard. L might as we'll be a
Turkish slave at once 2
Fortunately Alphonse had pleuty of