The record-union., 1893-04-08
THE LETTER.
For the REcoRD-UNIoN.l

signs, ties and gloves are thrown around
profusely. The dressing-table is literally
strewn with different articles-hand-
mirrors, combs, brushes, satin satchet
bags, crystal perfume bottles, several
other dainty trifies such as any belle of
fashion would delight in possessing.
Soft silken cushins are flung in every
corner, as if inviting you to repose. The
massive marble mantel is crowded with
rare and handsome curios. Between two
heavy bronze figures is placed an old
fashioned, queerly shaped vase, from
whose wide mouth a great bunch of half
wlthered crimson roses mingle their
dying breath with the odor of tobacco and
Pommery.
Adjoining the wall opposite is a master
full production of Pluto pursuing Proser-
. pine, the flowers dropping in her flight
seeming to fall in bewildering mass of
beauteous reality to the floor. The half
nude form OF the nymph is go deliciously
exquisite, the delicate flesh tints so
natural, she seems to throb with warm,
buoyant young life. Such seductive
| loneliness causes ones blood To thrill
madly. Involuntary you spring forth
with arms outstretched TO clasp and
shield her from the grasp of the amorous
god, when 10! cruel delusion-nothing
but the cold, painted wall contronts you.
At the farthest end of the room heavy
velvet portiere is slightly pulled aside,
disclosing an adjoining SGto', in which
you can catch a glimpse of sideboard,
sparkling with numerous slender
stemmed wine-glasses; near by, and
piled high with towering heap OF empty
bottles, sets large wicker basket.
LIE Estrange mods, ami shows his white
teeth in pleasing smile, not pausing for
an instantgwith his writing.
"Ah, Bluout, be seated
The young man addressed advances
and slowly sinks into a low divan oppo-
site the writer, who continues:
why did you not accept my invita-
ton? 1t was impromptu, l admit; still,
you might have favored us with a few
| minutes OF your honored company"
Bluout languidly selects cigarette
from the jeweled case in front of him.
=" missed you, mon oni," glancing up
swiftly. why did you not Gomez"
impossible" STOPPING to pick up a
fiimsy lace, wine-stained handkerchief
from the green-carpeted floor. My
aunt took a sudden notion to run over
from England, and has very kindly
placed herself and her two stupid daugh-
tiers under my wing"-in an injured tone.
1T is COMPOUNDED nuisance, playing
gallant to Emeline and Florence"
His listener lays down his pen and re-
CARDS him compassionately.
''PdUUre e7lfunt :"
And that is not the worst of it, with
a sigh. They are expecting a former
schoolmate to join them here to-day. She
comes from Brittany. If 1 can trust to
them she must be divinely beautiful.
| They positively rave over her." Glanc-
ing appeslingly toward Le Estrange,
Won't you help me out, old chap, by
! assuming little of this responsibility
which has fallen upon my innocent
shoulders ?"
| Mon cher! 1t is evident, then, that
you did not read my note of yesterday. in
which l bid you come and join my friends
| in last banquet before l renounce the
glorious joys OF bachelorhood for those of
the more dull and commonplace hus-
| bandhood. Tomorrow l wed Mademoi-
selle De Guiscard, the rich old bankers
daughter. l am prepared to receive your
congratulations, your envy or pity.
BieR! 1t matters little which. Pdr6{eu ;
Here L am about to become a benedict,
as you English say. Yet not one word OF
encouragement has passed your lips"
| The reckless mirth OF the young man
jars unpleasantly upon Bluout's nerves.
He leans toward and clasps the French
mans hand warmly.
You know my wishes are for your
happiness and welfare always"
Thanks, though l can't see what hap
| piness has got to do with it, SOit. For
my part l would much rather marry
mon chere AHtie, who likes me and
who certainly loved my fortune to dis,
traction. For her sake l am almost bank
rupt. One pays for their pleasures
! dearly in this world. ITEMS! [ cannot
| live on love. l mnst marry, and she. |
suppose, like the rest of her class, of
which there are few exceptions, will find
another TOOL, mo doubt, whom she will
! pluck as clean as she has me. Naturally.
l feel little chagrin when l contemplate
my possible successor, for | really love
the woman, and would lik to console my
self with the thought that she would live
blameless life in the future. Therefore. L
have given her snug, pretty house at
Neuilly. This letter which / have inst
finished is to inform her of the fact
AS he speaks, slight breeze sweeps
through the room, tluttering family the
closely written sheet Of paper lying at
his elbow. LIE Estrange rises lazily to
| close the window, when with a sudden
l'gust the wind again blows in catching the
letter and lifting it from the table.
Bluout springs to his feet, but too late.
1t is swept swiftly through the opposite
window.
LIE Estrange utters grosn of despair.
"Sacre-6teu! 1t is gone: no use CHASING
after 1t. Non Dieu" striking his fore
head, my name is attached. What
pity; must write another"
Three young girls are briskly passing
along the Rue de l. laughing and
chatting gaily. Three fair girls with
sparkling eyes and flushed, wind-kissed
cheeks; each clutches desperately her
dainty skirts around her 1.-the younp
limbs IN a vain and fruitless endeavor to
conceal what the daring wind, as if loath
to suffer such charms to remain hidden.
is equally determined to reveal. Sud-
denly, Hitting and floating swiftly toward
them comes square sheet of note-Daner
The taIlest of the three catches il, and
standing huddled in little group thew
read the heavily traced chiropraphy
which runs thus:
Cftere Amie: The fact of my approaching
marriage must necessarily break on all ties
between uS-for short time at least Tho
house at Neuiily is at your disposal, and
ing as your own.
The tall girls beautiful eyes flash.
Without reading further she thrusts it
quickly into her coat pocket.
Il will keep IL forever to remind me of
the wickedness and heartlessness of
men,"
The other two laugh softly. "Surelv
you will let US finish reading it."
NO" with firm and positive shout
dershrug. II will not read further"
What Quixotic ideas you have, Imo-
gene" cried one; tear the horrid thing
up, or else throw it away. am expect
ing and dreading every second to hear
the owner at our heels shouting: sion
theft"
And, with merry peel of laughter, the
fresh-faced, lght-hearted girls hastened
on their way.
The brilliant wedding of LIE Estranqe
and the bankers plain daughter fur
nished choice gossip for days, until 1t was
eclipsed by another event which caused