The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-12-26

"a 4A. CSSGiAOlI All, LILY QCdI lClloHy
wrote he, ''you are making a rank mis-
take Many men of note are already de-
sirous of meeting you-even number of
fovely women have signifed to me their
willingness to encounter the author Of
your Impressions Pray you, reconsider,
and give me great honor and happiness"
I became quite cold. A species of terror
seized upon me, as consulted with my
mother, and finally our conference termi-
mated in my writing te&porizing but
not at all convincing response.
Decidedly, if this was being man,
devoutly wished that had never become
one!
fortnight passed without events, at
least SO far as Karjak was concerned, and
l had begun to console myself with the re-
Election that he had beSA forgotten amid
the pressure of other men and matters
Alasl not SO. On certain Tuesday a
messenger arrived bearing note from M
Dessinoir-"be begging that would accede
to his invitation for breakfast tomorrow.
He took the liberty over my modesty of
naming the day himself-at the Cafe Big
non, to meet M. M. A., B., c., D., respect
lively, of four of the most popular Partisan
journals"
Mamma was out paying visits; papa
had gone to Versailles for the day; my
cousin was painting in the Louvre; what
should do?
Selling my pen, Iwrote-was it fnspira-
ton or some emanation from less divine
sources?-thus, s'that my wife being very
ill, was compelled to decline" and add
ing to this wholesale statement the most
profound regrets and sorrow deeply dyedl
Very good. slept in peace that night,
having confided to my family not only the
fact Of my being man, but that I had
lately married, and now possessed a wife
My MS. went as usual q day or two
later. In the evening, my pretty friend
was again at our house.
"Alas," she said to me, 81 have had i'll
news. M. Dessinoir tells me that my
adored Karjak is-married."
"VeriIy, I say; $50 I have heard
"But do not believe it. will not be-
Heve it. I assured M. Dessinoir that he
must prove it to me-"
"And?" interrupt breathlessly.
"He has sworn that he will do 500
"How?" inquire, am sure turning
pale.
"He has vowed to call upon Karjak and
finally to see his wife,"
lived hereafter for some days in kind
Of nightmare, trembling at every knock
and ring. At last it came-the card of
M. Dessinoir. held my brow. Ny knees
shook beneath me.
HSay to the gentleman" I gasped,
"that M. lie Comte is absent from Paris"
In a few moments Jacques returned
"Would Nine. la Comtesse then do mon
sieur the honor to see him for moment
only? A matter Of business and import
ance-some part of the late MS. of M. lie
Comte has been unfortunately lost"
Decidedly M. Dessinoir intended to keep
his vow. Mamma was out, Of course;
drew myself up to as great height as ma
lures feet u would allow, and sailed
majestically, hoped, out to meet M. Des-
sinoir. Since was man, and a married
one, thea also let me be my own viife
since fate SO willed.
We met as became two well bred per-
sons. M. Dessinoir explained. Mme la
Comtesse knew nothing of the literary
affairs of her husband; while regretting
her inability she deplored her stupidity
M. PEditeur was charmed, yet chagrined
of course at not seeing M le Comte Al
together we both delivered ourselves of
many compliments, and M. Dessinoir
then begged me to use my wifely influence
to induce my gifted husband to make him
self known to his many admirers, and
gracefully made his exit.
I was a man; also his wife. I had been
addressed as madame. Very well.
The following evening CHANGED to be
that of great reception at the American
embassy. Although of course not yet
"out," Twas allowed to G as great treat,
and in my gown of white over yellow,
with yellow roses and some lilies, I had
long since, in chatting with handsome
young English attache, forgotten both
Karjak and his wife, when I raised my
eyes and perceived advancing toward me
the daughter of our hostess, leaning upon
the arm of M. Dessinoir.
did not faint or scream. I stood like
block of stone had never thought of
this horrible possibility.
She presented him to me with due cere-
mony, calling me her "lifelong friend and
schoolfellow.
M. Dessinoir, although at first disposed
to recognize me, embraced the situation
and routed the young attache, and-quiet-
ly begged me the favor of my autograph
In his pocket album.
I became scarlet. I took the offered
pencil from his large, white hand, and
trembling I wrote for him as he watched
me with amused yet not cruel eyes-the
name of "Karjakl'
We are the best of friends imaginable,
M. Dessinoir and I. He sometimes calls
me "dear little fellow" and reminds me
of the time "when was man"
So I have given you one of the many ex-
periences of my comparatively brief jour
nalistic career. -Fannie Aymar Mathews
IN Peterson's Magazine.
Strangely Birthmarked.