The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-08-20

Curc. IL ls lnlald 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 verify believe it
once stood in n boudoir of the palace of
Marty.
Mover was an innocent little piece of
furniture abused and rated so merci.
lessly us my chiffonier was when I
CHANGED to think of it one day during
my sojourn Mt tho Pirpus, in Greece.
You will, no doubt, ask why I thrust
my trembling hand through my hair.
and cried out: Miserable idiotl' with
out stating whether the opithet was ap-
piled to myself or to my chifronier.
Good heavens, the only wonder was
that l left single hair on my headl
Judge for yourself.
L had been SO unfortunate-some
time before-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 1 called her my.
angel and bright image of nv.
allowed one of my friends to say 10,
me. In speaking of her: How could
you be such fool?" She sent me back
my letters, and / neglected to return,
hers, but put the whole lot in a drawer
of my old chiffonicr, 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 Pro
vence. In setting off unexpectedly on
q diplomatic mission 1 had completely
forgotten to destroy those remains of
an attachment which had been delight
ful-so long rs it lasted.
When l accidentally called out the
memory of those letters from an OBJ
scurc corner of my brain I started up
In surprise and shame, for l knew that
my thoughtlessncss might seriously
compromise a woman who had done
nothing to deserve such treatment at
my hands. felt that my conduct had
been unworthy of gentleman, and in
fine frenzy I rushed out of the house,
inquired for the first steamship bound
for Marseillcs, took passage, and,
listening to nothing but the voice of
my conscience, returned to France.
week later l arrived ut the ma.
tcrnal abode, and 1 will spare YOU
recital of the CALCULATIONS, the what,
you, George! So soon?" which greeted
me as soon as l appeared. My mother
nearly stitlcd me with her embrace
and was sure that something dreadful
had happened to me, and had great
difficulty in reassuring her. When she
tone as possible:
"Will you have my valise sent to my
room, mother dear?"
Certainly, my son; You must be tired
out" she answered. Then summoning
servant, she said: '"Takc my sons
baggage to the blue room, Pierre"
lyon mean the green ROOM" I added.
mo, the blue ROOM" persisted nv
mother.
"But tho green room is my room"
ut scds yours once, George" she said,
smiiingly.
"And whose is 1t now?" I asked, in
surprise, and my mother pointed to the
door. saying merrily:
Here comes the present occupant"
Gabrielle" cried, going to meet
my cousin, the loveliest and most charm
ing of girls, with abundant blonde
hair, eyes as blue as heaven, n smile of
childish innocence, and teeth like
pearls. 1t was she, Of all persons, who
was occupying the green room, and