Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1893-08-26
A PERFECT JEWEL.


Jacques is dancing with Mile. Blandine
de Lauterre. She is tall, svelte, and
dignifed; she has a regular profile, a
serious face, downcast eyes, and brown
hair brushed straight off her forehead.
Her white frock is almost severe in its
extreme simplicity.
Jacques as they stop:
"You are fond of dancing, madam
oiselleg"
mo, monsieur"
Jacques in surprise
"Ah! How very singular. In the first
place you dance diyinely, and one always
likes the things one does we'll; and then
all young girls love to dance.'
81 have been brought up SO quietly.
go out so very little
"And you would like to go out more
than you do?"
sob, no. I've no desire to go about
Society bores me-"
"Really?"
Eyes. l like best to stay at home with
my books and my painting Materials"
jacques aside Rather pretentious,
painting materials" Alaud.] Are you
fond of outdoor sports, mademoiselle?
Doubtless you skate, and swim, and ride
as we'll as you dance?
II don't skate, monsieur, though l do
swim and ride; but as rule I find such
things rather too exciting. The quiet
retired life lead in my own home is
best suited to me, think"
"And you never find it dull?"
"Oh, no, monsieur (smiling softly; 1
am very happy. Do you think it strange
that one should be happy without going
| to dances?"
"No, indeed, mademoiselle. am quite
sure one could be happy without such
frivolities." (Aside.) "This dear little
girl is perfect jewel! And probably
there are any quantity of angels just like
her and one ignores their very existence"
ALOUD, continuing to size her up). "Then
you never rider"
sob, yes monsieur; in the summer, wheL
we are at our country place. 1t is so
nice to ride there"
eyes, exactly; never ride save when
I am in the country. Riding in Paris is
wretched. (Radiantly) And you spend
your entire summer in the country"
"Yes, monsiur."
"And You are never bored?"
Oh, no. l read, paint, do fancy work;
indeed, the days never seems long enough
for me-"
Charming, charming" (Aside.) 'This
is too much. l hardly know what am
saying. She will make an ideal wife
And besides she's really beautiful! She
loves the country. She hates society
sweet child is absolutely made for me.
What glorious eyes Even though they
are fastened on the ground they have d
great effect on me, their wonderful lashes
sweeping those soft. rosy cheeks" (Aloud.)
"You must have great many girl
friends 81
~ am very sorry to say have not. 1
don't make friends very easily. I have a
cousin whom see once in WHILE"
"And has your cousin any brotherss"
eyes, but seldom see them, their time
is always so occupied. But my dear little
nephews, see them every day. They
are lovely. Isimply adore children!"
"You have good taste, mademoiselle. /"
"Yes, and aren't they interesting, and
graceful, and amusing? There is nothing
more fascinating. One of my greatest
pleasures is to take care of my sisters
children"
"And your sister have several childrenr
ooh, yes; six of the loveliest babies you
can possibly imagine. Sometimes she
sends them to us for few days, when
she and her husband are off on visit;
then am, oh, SO happy with the babies!"
"Delightful Delightful! Shall we dance
AGAIN."
Jacques Ito himself, holding his part
ner very tenderly)--What frankness, what
candor! No girl friends, never sees her
cousins; decidedly, grandmamma was
right: she is a perfect jewel.