Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1891-03-12
THE OLD CHIFFONIER,

niture. 1t is inlaid and polished. with
locks of FURNISHED copper. and always
seems to be smiling. as if its red and
white mosaics were merry rosy lips.
1t was given to me by my grand
mother, who inherited it from her
grandfather, and l verify believe that
it once stood in boudoir of the pal
ace of Marty.
Never was an innocent little piece of
furniture abused and rated so merci-
lessly as my chitfonier was when l
CHANGED to think of it one day during
my sojourn at the Pir@us in Greece.
You will no doubt ask why l thrust
my trembling hand through my hair
and cried out miserable idiot" with
out stain. whether the epithet was
applied 10 myself or to my chitfonier.
Good heavens. the only wonder was
that left a single hair on my head!
Judge for yourself.
had b, en- so fortunate-some time
befo"e-as to be loved by the most
charming of women. I shall not at
tempt to describe her. not even by the
color of her hair; it is sufficient to say
that for two years called her my
angel!' and Upright image of my
dreams" At the end of that period I
allowed one of my friends to say to
me- in speaking of her, How could
you be such fool?' She sent me
back my letters. and I neglected to re-
turn hers. but put the whole lot into
drawer of my old chiffonier, without
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 Prov
ence. In setting off unexpectedly on
diplomatic mission. had completely
forgotten to destroy those remains of
an attachment which had been delight
ful-as long as it lasted.
When l accidentally called out the
memory of those letters from some
obscure corner of my brain, started
up in surprise and shame. for knew
that my thoughtlessness might serious
ly compromise q woman who had
done nothing to deserve such treat
ment ut my hands. | felt that nv con-
man, and in fine frenzy ! rushed out
of the house, inquired for the first
steamship bound for Marseilles, took
passage. and listening to nothing but
the voice of my conscience, returned
to France.
II.
A week later l arrived at the ma
ternal abode. and / will spare Won
recital of the CALCULATIONS, the what!
You? George! Why! So soon?"
which greeted me as soon as appear
ed. My mother nearly stifleS me with
her embrace. and was sure that some
thing dreadful had happened to me,
and ] had great difficulty to reassure
her. When she had grown calm. l
said in as Indifferent tone as possible:
viii you have my valise sent to my
room. mother dear?"
Certainly, my son; you must be
tired out" she answered. Then sum-
moning servant. she said, Take my
sons baggage to the blue-room,
Pierre"
You mean the green-room," l adj
ded.
mo, the blue-room, persisted my
mother.
''But the green-room is my ROOM
1t nus yours once, George" she
said. smilingly.
And whose is it now?" l asked in
surprise, and my mother pointed to
the door, saying merrily:
Here comes the present occupant"
''Gabrielle!'' l cried. going to meet
my cousin, the loveliest and most
charming of girls, with abundant
blonde hair, eyes as blue as heaven,
smile of childish innocence. and
teeth like pearls. It was she. of all
persons, who was occupying the green
room, and who, no doubt, had ram
sacked the drawers and cupboards.
Unfortunate. thrice unfortunate man
that was!
Gabrielle. gay. artless and confi'ling.
though trifle shy, gave me her hand,
looking delicious as she said
How do You do. cousin Georgep'
My face must have betrayed my con-
fusion as l took her hand and looked
searchingly for some sign of dissimula-
ton in her soft eyes. Had she found
the letters, had she read themp To
tell the truth. Mrs. had loved
me ardently, and had been so imprud-
ent as to express her sentiments in
writing, running the gamut of obs
and abs with plentiful exclamation
points attached thereto. And suppose
little Gabrielle had read thenl-I
blushed ut the thought!
But quite calmly she said chow do
you do, cousin George"-that was all.
and in my great palm lay soft, cool,
maidenly little hand.
All. but what ABYSS is deeper than
woman's heart, as the Psalmist SAYS;
suppose she had read the letters! The
only way to make sure was to 90 into
the room and look for them. Gabrielle's
room? What sweet melody in the
words, yet felt that dared not to
enter that sanctuary, although had
known my cousin since she was a
child.
Come, George, and sec how pref
tily have arranged your ROOM" she
said suddenly.
Joy. bliss, ecstasy filled me as she
spoke; was saved. Innocence had
come to the rescue of depravity!
Lightly and gracefully she ran up
the staircase; what pretty figure she
had! 4 followed her like culprit;
feeling almost afraid to 90. but vet,
must at all hazards get my letters.
III.
NV former room was Sperfectly
charming, decked out in blue and
white. aud with no otlor Of cigars any
where. The little bed was modestly
draped with snowy curtains which
looked like the wings of guardian
angels. looked round anxiouslv for
the old cnitfonier; there it stood as