The Portland daily press., 1894-09-27

the utmost attainable degree of perfection.
Then Twas quite ready.
II consulted my watch. Twelve O'Clock.
I had still an hour before me-a whole
hour. l had waited six months merely
to find out If / should ever see Genevieve
again. ! had waited six weeks from the
day we were engaged to the day we were
to be married, and now only an hour sep
arated us, and yet I burned with impa-
thence.
II walked about the room; sat down
and got up again; l looked out of the
window; I pulled open the drawers and
tumbled over the contents, seeking for
some occupation, some distraction-any-
thing to help kill the time. The last hour
dragged most awfully. shifted the things
on the mantelpiece, and in doing SO my
eyes fell on the box of cigars. There was
only one left My friends had not stinted
themselves
"Only one. picked it up mechanical.
ly. 1 1t was well made and nicely finished.
tested it by the nose and by the ear. TT
was dry and had delightful SMELL To
the eye it was neither too light nor too
dark. In a single word, it was really
choice cigar. But dropped it back into
the box as If it burned my fingers and
shut my eyes the better to escape tempta-
ton.
ssAt this moment heard the quarter
chime 'Three-quarters of an hour still
to wait growled and began beating a
tattoo with my foot. Then went back to
the chimney, and Immediately my gaze
fastened itself on the forbidden object.
Picking up the cigar again, began play
ing with it-one is sometimes seized with
sudden Madness bit 1t with my teeth.
! held lighted match to it, and throwing
myself into an easy chair I began to
smoke. 1t was delicious
In a few minutes had thrown back
my head, half closed my eyes and given
myself up to the enjoyment of the narcotic
influence. was Tapped in that sweet SEN
sation which Is not sleep, but belongs to
that hazy border country where thought
ends and dreaming begins. Suddenly
was awakened by slight odor, as of some
thing scorching
- looked round the accommodating. I
went to the curtains. examined the dra-
peries, felt my frock coat, waistcoat, but
discovered nothing. BAIL I've been
dreaming. pulled out my watch. Great
heavens, IS minutes past II
AO4zAAA6 AA1y iAbV diA0 $5IOf6oy l. uocCC10r
ed four steps at time and jumped into
the cab that was waiting.
The concierge was at the door as I
passed out. On seeing me he burst into a
laugh in which the cabman Joined.
They're amusing themselves at my
expense, thought I, because happen to
be late
s'Reaching the house of my prospective
fhcys-i i
John, who opened the door, gave lit
tie start on seeing me. Then, finding his
tongue:
6 Everybody has gone, monsieur, after
waiting for monsieur. Mile Genevieve
did not seem very well satisfied, but she
loft me her orders, monsieur. Twas to tell
monsieur, if he came, not to lose another
minute, hut to follow without delay. I
have given monsieur my commission.
All the time he was speaking and
plastering me SO plentifully with mos
sieur' I could see the fellow was nearly
bursting with laughter.
What are you laughing at me for,
eh?' inquired.
$ Monsieur is joking. Monsieur knows
that would not do such thing in the
presence Of monsieur, and besides mon
sieur should know better than 1 what
pleases mademoiselle, and if mademoiselle
likes them In that Style
had no time to waste over this idiot.
Went down the stairs even more quickly
than assembled them.
In the courtyard found the house
servants looking curious and expectant,
but quickly as I passed the row of grin
ming faces Ioyerhard low whisperings and
smothered laughter.
Decidedly grumbled in i'll humor,
1T would appear that these '.nincoms"
see something funny in a bridegroom run
ming after his bride
The coachman whipped up the horses,
and ab 10 minutes after was at the
town hall
:. The registry office for marriagesf'
bzwled I to the bsadle.
" For marriages? Not for yourself per-
haps r.. :. !.
For you, ehe Well, she's good sort,
she H., and letting himself fall on to a
bench he held his Sides
II don't know what kept me from pull
ing the ears of this rascal, but contented
myself with asking, in q voice which adj
mitted Of only one reply;
VIII you direct me-yes OF no-to the
registry Of marriages. 4
He made an emphatic gesture. ITO
the right, monsieur-end of vestibule.
Then, falling back in bis seat, he repeated
the words, She's good sort, she is
II ran to the door indicated and enter
ed.
"sAh, at last! Here he ISL exclaimed
my father-in-1aw
= had rushed in suddenly and was ad-
vancing quickly when very thunder
peal of laughter smote upon my ears. At
the same instant handkerchiefs appeared
as if by magic, and every face was buried
in their snowy folds, while on every side
could hear: oh, OIL All, ali! Good gra-
clous! How very queerp etc.
1.-THE mayor was choking in his arm
chair. Genevieve, her face hidden in her
hands, was shaking violently. Her moth
er, half sufocated, was gesticulating fran
tically.
II stood there like a fool, knowing moth
ing of what it was all about, till, taking
countenance at last said:
What are you all laughing for like
this?'
Then my father-in-law, stepping up to
me, said in voice of solemn severity: