The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1892-07-29

handsome and graceful piece OF furni-
ture. It 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.
II was given to me by my grand
mother, who inherited it from her
grandfather, and l verify believe it
once stood in boudoir off the palace of
Marty.
Never was an innocent little piece Of
furniture abused and rated SO merci-
2essly as my chiffonier was when
CHANGED to think of it one day during
my sojourn at the Pireus, in Greece.
You will, no doubt, ask why / thrust
my trembling hand through. my hair,
and cried out: Miserable idiotw with
out stating whether the epithet was APP,
piled to myself or to my chiffonier.
Good heavens, the only wonder was
that 1 left single hair on my headl
Judge for yourself.
I had been so uufortunate-some
time before-as to be loved by the most
charming of women. ! shall not at
tempt to describe her, not even by the
color of her hair; it is sufficient to say
that for two years l called her my
angel" and bright image of my
dreams At the end of that period, l
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 1 neglected to return
hers, but put the whole lot in a drawer
of my old chiffonier, without thinking
so 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
diplomatic mission / had completely
forgotten TO destroy those remains of
an attachment which had been delight
ful-sO long as it lasted.
When ] accidentally called out the
memory of those letters from an OBJ
scure corner of my brain | started up
in surprise and shame, for ! knew that
nv thoughtlessness might seriously
compromise n woman who had done
nothing to deserve such treatment at
NV hands. felt that my conduct had
been unworthy of 4 gentleman, and in
4 fine frenzy l 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.
A week later | arrived at the ma
ternal abode, and | will spare you
recital of the CALCULATIONS, the What,
you. Georgel SO soon?" which greeted
me as soon as l appeared. My mother
nearly stihed me with her embrace
and was sure that something dreadful
had happened to me, and had great
difficulty in reassuring her. When she
had grown calm [ said. in as Indifferent
tone as possible:
''Win 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: Take nv sons
baggage TO the blue room. Pierre"
You mean the green room, =" added.
''No, the blue ROOM" persisted my
mother.
But the green room is my ROOM
ut scas yours once, George" she said,
And whose is it now?" l asked. in
surprise, and my mother pointed to the
door, saying merrily;
Here comes the present occupant"
''Gsbrielleln l cried, going t. meet
my cousin. the loveliest and most charm
ing of girls, with abundant blonde
hair, eyes as blue as heaven. a smile Of
childish innocence, and teeth like
pearls 1t was she, of all persons, VINO
was occDpvjug the green room. a05
who. no doubt, had ransacked the draw
iers and cupboardS
Unfortunate, thrice unfortunate man
that wasl
Gabrielle-Cay, artless and confding,
though triile shy--gave me her hand
6emurely, as she said:
How do you do, Cousin George"
Biy face must have betrayed my con-
fusion as took her hand. and looked