The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-11-11
his salary. 1. was just then his sole am


family.
He was introduced into the parlor, which
was brilliantly lighted for this event. NJ.
and Mime. Perronnet, who were already
there, and Mile. Amclie, who was listen
ing behind portiere, decided that he
made Il very graceful appearance.
He was closely interrogated rs to his
life, his family-who lived in the country
and his work. NJ. Pcrronnet compli-
mentcd him Oh his ar,lor as student. and
Mime. Perronnet counseled him not to
abuse his health. He thanked them. Il
little astonished ut this paternal solici-
tude, received his receipt and retired to
his room, where soon his lamp shone with
its accustomed brilliancy and continued to
shine until morning.
At the end of IL month the curiosity of
the Perronnet family had reached II climax.
They spoke openly of him before Amelic.
This students lamp had given John
Chappell marvellous reputation. Some
times they thought that he had aged par
ents to support, and it was for this that he
did this supplementary work; sometimes
they imagined him II student, II scientist, a
future benefactor of his race.
what n constitution lie has," NJ. Per
rOnnet would eXclaim, Ito work all night
and look like that in the morning."
Amciic had not been consulted, and. to
tell the truth. the wonderful lamp had
made no great impression upon her, but she
always found some prctcXt to go down
stairs mt the precise moment when the
lodger on the third floor was coming in
he came i'll very regularly, not having the
money to seek nmusements-ands she found
his air, as he saluted her, very elegant
Already Mime. Perronnct was disposed
to wait if John Chappell did not have his
money ready 1T the end of the month But
he was exactly punctual. He was simply
perfect!
At last the situation began to appear
strained to Amelie.
Mamma" she said, don't YOU think it
must be very lonely for that gentleman up
stairs to sit alone every EVENING""
1t was like n flash of light to Mime. Per
ronnet.
''Perronnet," she declared solemnly to
her husband, "the heart of our daughter
has spoken"
John Chappell was astonished to receive
an invitation to take tea with the Pcrron-
nets who were going to have II few friends.
He came, was charming, sang n few love
songs for which Mile Pcrronnet played
the accompaniment and noticed that
Amelie was quite pretty. Nine Perron-
net could not believe her ears; this grave.
studious man, this interchangeable invcs,i-
gator, sang love songs! He assumed in
her eye the proportions of IL hero of RI.
nance. She devoured her daughter and
the singer with her maternal regards NJ
Perronnet always had the same idea
What constitution he must hlvr!'
But he felt sure that after this little fam
lily gathering Johns window would re-
main unlighted for Mt least one night
that he would have ut least one nights
rest. But no-that night, as every other,
f,,l
window.
Amelie went to bed happy, and dreamed
the most rOseate dreams.
This first family evening was soon fol.
lowed by n second, then by many others.
Amelie and John learned duets and PLAYED
at the same piano; they even went to the
theater once, and John presented Nine
Perronnet with a bouquet and gave Amelic
n box of bonbons.
However, NJ. Perronnet made inquiries
as to the commercial standing of his
lodger, and learned that John was us e.
cmplary in his business as in his private
life, and that to secure a very good place
he needed only IL little capital All the
friends consulted found the young man
charming. They had been informed OF
his nocturnal labors, but no one ever made
the least allusion to them, through Il feel
ing of dclicacy easy to comprehend, for
they all felt sure that it was really to help
his aged parents.
Moreover, John gave proof of admirable
disintercstedness. He had fallen deeply in
love with .Nmclic, but. knowing her to be
rich, he did not dare ask for her hand
Amelic had to break the ice She knew
very well what was passing in j Johns mind.
and SO one evening between two songs she
shyly asked him:
why shouldn't we get married, john"
she said.
He flushed violently, and explained man
fully that he would want nothing better.
but he had nothing but his mcager salary.
His frankness, combined with look full
of tenderness, completed the conquest of
Amelic, and the marriage was decided on
During all the preparations. during the
buying and making of the troussear, the
very night before the ceremony, the lamp
still burned.
This is too much"' cried NJ. Perronnct;
"now he no longer has the right to com
promise his superb health"
After the marriage, which was gaylv
celebrated, the young couple left on their
wedding journey, and NJ. Perronnet was
mt last free to enter his son-in-law's room.
There he discovered to his stupefaction,
very few books, IL simple box of note Oh.
per, rusted pen, and in the inkstand.
some ink half dried up.
ut must he that he does mental work"
he said, rs he took the famous lamp and
respectfully bore it down stairs to II room
which he had prepared for his son-ll-law.
to which he had given the name of work
| room.
Then he waited impatiently for the re-
turn of his children.
They came back happy, enchanted: she
a little fatigued by the journey; he still
| fresh, still handsome
After pleasant family evening the
young couple retired. and John went to
find his lamp.