Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-09-20

She shall be Monsieur's model and 1
VIII make his fortune"
That night then the sausage yender
TOOK IN his stand. Annette. free at
last slipped across the road. and tbs
Old madame robed the girl in the GRAND
toilette, and fastened her soft fluffy
curis IN knot high on her head with
quaint tortoise-shell comb. Wrapped
III clocks the two stole down the street
ana entered the tall building. They
threaded their way among the dusty
oaSS, soaring the silvery coated mice
ana climbed the stairs to, the artists
studio.
When his eyes fell upon the vision of
loFehnesS madame presented to him.
lhey Shone with new light. Love-
"eI' part love and part artistic rapt-
ur9 our IN either cLse Annette was
the cause. The little Frenchwoman
clapped her hands and laughed low
fully.
Always during the sittinss. madame
sat decorouIy by, knitting industri-
ousIy, but keeping a sharp eve out. as
became chaperOn. Not the slightest
symptom of lovemaking escaped her
Inc portrait grew beneath the brush
as II the very fairy of good luck had
lent her spell to the artist. Never HAD
MS palette glowed with such colo1.s
nor had such hitherto impossible tints
olossomed forth. Every detail of the
fresh young face became familiar to
MN. until at last from the canvas
clumsy, stood an oaken chest with tbe
Idl"- OF France carved upon it. The
looked forth the sausage vendors
daughter, in the grand danes robes as
beautiful as the proudeSt lad, in the
land.
L can do no more" sighed the artist;
lhen madame arose and, taking the girl
by the hand, led her toward the door.
Monsieur has no longer need of u.s.
She explained, "adieu."
But the artist would not have it so.
He pushed past the old Frenchwoman
and stood before the girl
L love you, Annette" he cried: ''win
you not marry me-"
speak first to Monsieur Laubeau. We
will have no bold American manners
here. If he consents, then Annette
may think of you. Come. Annette"
1t was indeed true that the little
madame had brought good luck to the
poor artist. The portrait was sent to
picture dealer; in less than a week
sn1I
through the dealer enough to set the
artist busy. He went to thank the OLD
FrenchWOman.
THE good people like something
fresh" said the madame. Monsieur
might have sat in his garnet and pinned
md been melancholy till he died. Good
luck would have none of him. One
must be brave and smile to win
fortune
Il owe everything to YOU" said the
grateful young man.
"Ah! true" returned Madame non
chalantly; but tell me, have you yet
won Monsieur Laubeau's consent"
ALIAS! he refuses me Annette's hand
He will give no reason"
1--WE must learn" said the Madame,
and leaning far out of the window of
her tiny shop, she beckOned frantically
to the sausage vender across the road.
He came followed by Annette.
'Why is it Monsieur Laubeau refuses
his daughter to the young Monsieur
who loves her truly" inquired the
FrenchwOman.
81 could not get on without An
nette," grumbled the old man; there
would be none to cry hot sausagesH'
True, true" said Madame; but
must the young people be unhappy for
th:s?"
II am old" continued the sausage
vender, land I have but Annette. If |
yield her to the young Monsieur who
will care for me-"
LET me think said the little
Frenchwoman. "Ab, l have it! It's
said only the young should wed; but
say it's we'll to be comfortable in ones
old days. and companion is needful.
If Monsieur Lambeau wishes it | will
reconsider the proposal he made me
years ago; he shall fetch the sausage
stand across the road and set it here
in trent of my shop. The priest shall
make us one, and |, myself, will cry
hot sausagesr'-Mary E. Stone Bassett
in Kate Fields Washington.