Waterbury evening Democrat., 1892-01-13

YMkzMaS ::;;'':s ::$:::, :;;;::s: ::; :::; :;:; goods of this world; still he had never married. Of frail appearance, when betrayed his poor health, he was be- sides dis6gured by nervous affection of the facial muscles, which violently contracted the left side of his face every ten minutes. With such a physique how could he aspire to the sweet dream of being loved for himself? He would have been accepted for his money; he was too proud to contemplate such hypothesis with complacency; for this reason he had spent solitary life, seeking consolation in study and artls- tic pleasures
 It is necessary to say that Brigannes, conscious of and made unhappy by his ugliness, was not fond of society and had restricted his social circle as much as possible. He preferred to associate with the humble, the resigned hearts, bruised, like his, by some secret sor- | row. One of his oldest and best friends was an old maiden lady, Mile. DeVer- mol. She had not married, not on the score of ugliness-She had been pretty in her youth-but because she was poor. Poverty is a great bugbear to those who go a-marrying. Mile. De- Vernol had long suffered from her lone | ly fate, but had finally accepted the situation. As 8 recompense, late in life, Providence sent to this empty soul a tardy maternal obligation. A dis tant cousin of hers had been left an orphan, and penniless, at twelve years of age. Thou shalt be my daughter" said Mile. DeVernol to little Jeanne, and she took the child home. The presence of the child brought joy and sunshine into the gloomy home of the old maid. Jeanne was 8 charming blonde, with diaphanous skin, soft, languorous eyes, affable and affection ate in character, though trifle nerv- ous, and sometimes little fanciful.
 Were the joy and gayety which Bri- games home lacked attractive to the old bachelor? Perhaps. The fact was that from the day that the child be- came an inmate of her cousins home his visits became more frequent. He showed paternal affection for JeSnne, and was delighted to be with her. She seemed to give him a new interest in life. He was particularly happy so long as she remained child, but alas! she grew! Soon she was ayoung wom- an, and most charming one. She had kept all the promises of her childhood
 Brigannes treated her with more re- serve, and his face clouded as of yore.
 While Mile. DcVernol was alone, her life was a very retired one. In Jeanne's interest she now re enewed her social relations, took her young cousin to her friends, to unpretentious entertain ments and family fetes. At one of these Jeanne met young engineer, Julien Devicq. He paid attention to the girl, danced with her often, and visited Mile. DeVernors house. He was handsome, clever fellow, and seemed very much taken with Jeanne. She was disposed to love him, and an understanding was arrived at Brig annes expressed no disapproval, but , his visits became fewer and his face sadder. Jeanne, full of happiness, thought only of Julien Devicq, and waited impatiently for the day when he should ask officially for her hand. | This day did not come. Instead, he
 paid them a farewell visit, during
 which he reiterated an expression of
 his love for Jeanne, and that his dear est wish was to marry her; but, after duu lGhCCllOhS AC NAN
 not dare. He had no fortune; Jeanne had not a sou of dowry. To mate theil
 respective poverty was preparing { very uncertain future. He, Julien
 was offered very good position, fol , immediate acceptance, as superintend
 ent of an undertaking in South Amer
 ica. He was going-perhaps in few years he would return with a fortune
 Then, if Jeanne was still free, and hel
 feelings had not changed, he would bt happy to claim her hand.
 Jeanne and Mile. DeVcrnol inter < preted these words as final rupture.
 Julien took his departure. She whC
 had thought herself his fiancee shec
 many bitter tears. Our first disillusioI
 is cruel, the ruin of our first hopes
 Brigannes reappeared on the scene
 more affectionate than ever. He con . soled her to the best of his ability.
 Had Devicq truly loved you
 Jeanne" he said, "he would not hav' !. been so calculating. He would hav' '' married you without money, finding you rich enough in beauty and virtue.
 The girl did not answer, but shool
 her head sadly. Little by little he
 tears were dried, the wound wa ?. healed. One night her old cousin l., |, T c