Evening star., 1893-12-09

WESlEETEM tree. The manners of
| EMN.ST this young man We're
| ? pS%S-k/II peaceful and orderly;
his temper was gen.
tie; his bearing mod
| est; his clothes were patched. The janitor
had expressly forbidden this insignificant
tenant TO have in his possession a dog,
violin, sewing machine. anything, no mat
ter what which was cumbersome or noisy.
He was enjoined to come in very early a.
night. 1t was question in the neighbor-
mood how he managed to keep his hands
clean. for the janitor had forbidden him to
take up any water, because this liquid, car
ried carclessly in jugs by his youthful
hands. might darp the stairs. However, by
good will and good humor. Passeraud had
succeeded in making his presence support
able, although only poor devil in a house
/ inhapited by bankers. favorite tenors dip
londts and commissioners of accounts
lie mad recently left the EcOle Centrale
Win an honorable standing, and almost i'm
fnediately the Calcium Mining Company of
the Upper Peloponnesus had offered him a
posltlon-SiOO Il month to begin with-which
would have put him cut of the reach of
want; but as he dreamed of inventing an
automatic brake which would prevent To-
comotives from coming into collision on the
/ 'oiiiOiu' vi at least would reduce the force
ol 'he snock, he had refused the offers of
'ne mining company. to give himself night
ana day to the drawing of innumerable di..
grams or the brake in question Therefore
he looked forward to glory and fortune but
while be waited, he was diving Of h,noar
Ihat rnattered not to him: his invent,o, ho
was absolutely sure of that-bis invention
was on the point of succeeding
O.le Gay, on the first flight of the stair
Ease ne encountered a young girl. blonde
anu eNqulsltely dressed and so graceful that
schcIar would Immediately have callsd
her Soddess--aS shown by her bear;,o
She Went forward and disappeared ucbt
ana supple, leaving behind her n subtitle o5or
ol lemon verbena. and Passeraud. astonisb-
ed' remained motonless in the middle of
the landing for five minutes with his noutb
open. as though he expected that the vision
oI MS peerless neighbor would present it.
self 10 him anew.
! The next day, by a coincidence which ,ve
would Ike to believe quite fortuitous. Pas
seraud was on the same landing exactly at
lhe same hour again. The young girl pass
Cd and as it seemed blushed in passing
rearing that he had wounded her Passap
auu resolved never to come down the stair
case at that hour again
The following day however he ra-,a,,har
/ ed that urgent business compelled him 70 90
out AT moment exactly identical with thai
When leaving the house was quite forbidIen
MN MN pE ms decision of the day before He
took up his hat, annoyed at this business
Whlch exposed him to the danger of en-
parrassing with his presence person whom
ne ne Would not have troubled for the world
what he dreaded happened; a new meet
/ ing took place. and Passeraud was incon
/ than before Ae
he was accordingly enraged against him.
/ unknnNln .sl,l;
thus followed, would very probably rake
steps TO keep herself out of his way In
order TO convince himself of this misfortune
faSSeraud sought the same place every da "
at the same hour, and every day drew q side
/ on the staircase to let his neIghbo- pass
brought up politely by his mother he bow
t tu DIT each meeting. AT the end of some
TIME IL seemed To him that the slight in
cllnatlon of the head which he received in
/ return look on an aspect almost friendly
| faNlng noticed tins, he went to look at
| hIHSeit IN the mirror of a shop-in his room
theTe was nothing of the sort-in order to
know III his person was such that IL might
please SO accomplished a young girl Then
ne saw That even though the cut of his
oNtrCOdl Was bad, there was nothing repul-
sive about his looks. Next he inquired with
3 caution. concerning the first name of the
pretty young lady of the first floor He did
Eot Know why, but he had a strong desire
7 10 Know her first name When he had
learned that IL was Valentine he was quite
enchanted.
| These comings and goings were not of ad
vantage 10 the automatic brake: the dia-
grams We're neglected
AT last Passere I'd took a decided step: he
dressed himself as well as possible went
doNN TO the apartments Of Valentines
iather' who was no less parsonage than
NJ l4amantin, owner of the large and i'm
posing building, and said to him: Sir. I
nave the honor to ask for your daughters
hand"
My daughters handr' said the aston
. lshed old gentleman. eyeing Passeraud from,
| head to foot For whonl if you please?''
| For myself sir
For yourself, Why, are YOU not nv
/ little tenant of the garret, up there under
! the r6of?''
! "Yes, sir
Then what do you mean? Ny daughter
mas $S'OOoo | am willing to inform you of
that fact. Do. you take it in? Eight hum
dred thousand, And you. what have your"
added: ' 'e
i am not actually rich but IL you give
me Mile alentine, believe me that my
work, my humble acquirements-'
stop talking. your conversat ton is of no
interest to me. VIII you please to take your
departure at once? 1t makes me die of
laughing to have you come to ask me for
my daughter 1 have only to add, Good
evening"
But, sir. if do not present my suit until
after nav automatic brake has made me a
millionaire j risk finding Mile Valentine
married to another. Now. sir do not wish
to run any such risk"
80 much the worse, What do Won wopt
me to do about it
Passeraud retired in much distress Bang
ing the doors after him, NJ. Lamantin ex-
claimed ~
dadghter. All! really, it is quite interest
Ing"