Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1892-01-28
G1SELE'S CAPRICE.

The salon was lighted by single lamp
which shed soft radiance throughout the
room. It was simply furnished, but was
adorned with q profusion of flowers
ard plants. Three persons were In tie
salon-Mme de Bainy, Gisele, her daugh-
er, betrothed. and Robert de ellis, who
was soon to be her husband.
| Gisele, who was In her eighteenth year,
was very beautiful. She was h natural
blonde. Her smile had the double advan,
tage of showing pretty teeth and two
| charming lictle dimples in her rosy cheeks
Her eyes were very handsome, out their
glance was somewhat i'm perious. She was
dressed IN robe of soft, white, clinging
material that set off 10 advantage her girl
ish beauty.
Gisele was an only daughter. She had
been reared by an indulgent mother, her
father having died during her infancy.
Although Nine. de Balnys income was
barely sufficient to support herself
aud her daughter she managed to graft
| fly Gisele's every whmi, and her whims
were many, for SIZE was child of cap:
| rice.
Many admirers paid suit to Gisele, but
she smiled on none until Robert de
ellis threw himself and his fortune at her
| feet.
In Robert, Gisele found be1 supreme
triumph, for by his unselisn devotion he
gave her the greatest satisfaction woman
can have = TO be loved for her
beauty, which was Glsele's only dover.
sired in lover. He was twenty-five
years old, handsome, manly and very
wealthy.
While Nine lie Balnv was working at
her embroidery AID Robert and Gisele
weae holding tender conversation, the
door of the salon was opened and George
Langle was announced.
Good evening, my dear Madame, -
said the new conner, as he entered, bowling
to the mistress of the house.
''Ah, good evening, my dear LaDgle,
said Name. de Balny, welcoming the
guest. This is, indeed, an agreeable sur
prise.
When the others had welcomed him,
| turning TO Robert, Lapgie said:
Il knew that | would find you here, and
that is shy | called SO late, wishing to
have you present to second a PROPOSE
ton which | desire to make to these la
dies"
"Ab! tell US. What is it?" exc aimed
Gi2ele.
"My mothers cottage at Saint Cloud
| has lust been put in order fer the SUM-
mer, replied Laugle. We are going
| to drive there tomorrow morning and she
| desires that you will accompany us. We
| shall leave Paris in good season to avoid
the heat of the day. Breakfast will
await us on arrival. We will spend the
warm part of the day swinging in our
| hammocks and g2ssipplng uud2r the
| ems"
I'VE will dine al freSco and then, if
Mile. Giselle approve of the plan, we will
attend the fete Of Saint Cloud, at which,
among other attractions, will be the great
| Iion-tamer, the ilustrious Bidei, with his
menagerie That is the proposition have
| to offer.'
"Bravo!" cried Gisele. your plan is
charming, charming! Is it not, Robert?
| she added, turning 10 her lover.
Robert agreed with Gisele that their
adopted with enthusiasm.
Accordingly the following day found
Nine de Bllny, her daughter and Robert
at Saint Cloud as the guest of Nj. Langle
and his mother. The day was spent in
those delightful ways which people escap-
ing from the city in the early summer find
| for passing the time in the country.
| Giseie, however, was all anticipation in
regard to the approaching ftte, and
ESPECIALLY in regard to the lion-t tanner,
Bidei, Of whose exploits she had heard
great dta'. Immediately after dinner.
| therefore, Gjsele. Robert and LANCE went
10 the fete. tie elder ladies preferring to
remain st the cottage,
Tney first attended Bldei's performance
With his lions, which Gisele watched with
| the iiveliest interest As the performance
grew to d close GiSeIe became so enthusi-
astic in regard to Bedei bravery that
Langle said jokingly, that she ought to
marry lion-tapier.
Such is my intention,' replied Cisele,
''for am sure that Robert will not deny
thp first request | have ever made of him
w ii you, Robert?'' she added, turning to
! MN.
WHAT exclaimed Robert, do you
wish NE TO eater the ions cage?
Yes. Does that surprise you?'
| "A little, | confess"
You ought to have as much courage as
a Vulgar tanner of animals" said Gisele,
who seemed to be put out By her lovers
! backwaTdness IN boarding the lions to
| please her whim.
But to do what you ask me to do
answered Robert. at would be a rldicu-
| ous act on my part, for | would be expos
| ing myself for no purpose"
You speak lightly OF the prospect Of
being devoured," said Langle, l2ughing
Langle wished to laugh Gisele out Of
her caprice. Gisele, on the other hand,
did not really wish her lover to enter the
| lions cage but she wanted him to seem
ready to do even that for her.
Then you refuse?'' she asked Robert,
with an air of disdaln.
LangIe, without giving Robert an OPP
portunity to reply, said:
| Certainly he refuses, for the conditions
are not the same fo- him as Tor Bidei.
who has been long accustomed to being
among wild animals and has made care
full study of their character.
you seem to take great interest in q
matter with does not concern you, -"
laid Gisele, who was ve1ed by LangIe's
opposition.
But, replied Langie graveIy, what
you ak Robert to Go ia very dangerou.
Besides, you forget that his mother azores
him ant that she will never fvrgiEe on if
you make him expose hsmself N this
| periious manner
| BIZ Gisale insisted.
very WELL" said Robert, codly. 81
TiII enter the cage, If Bidel will allow
me 70 do so. as soon as the spectators
nave der arted | do not wish to give d
public exhibition Of my courage" be
added, with tinge of sarcasm In his
| tone.
"Ah! knew you would consent ex-
| claimed jiiseie with apparent DELIGHT