The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1894-10-25
A KISS THAT FAILED.

Ayette was posing. Perched upon the
modets table she disported herself in a
dazzling costume Of the regency, her
head erect and smiling under its curly
wig, her left fist poised on her hip, lost
in its falling laces, her right hand thrust
in her waistcOat, and a sword touching
her shapely leg
Now, Avette," said the artist, Il am
done with you for to-day; change your
clothes and give the key to the con-
cierge. | am going out"
and Ayette," he said, IF you break
anything or put the manikin at the
door for a scarecrOW. or write as YOU
did yesterday the name of RothschiId
on the slate in the entry, Tll-I'II pull
your ears for YOU tomorrow morning.
Have no fear. monsieur" Avette re-
turned gravely, 4 never, as you know,
play the same Joke twice"
Left alone in the studio, the young girl
ran INTO Narnet's room and began to
take of her costume.
"Cgh, how hot it was" She threw
open the window and leaned out
Below her was what looked like a
broad well, with walls pierced by a
thousand windows. arched over by the
blue sky, gilded along the roof line, and
from the depths Of which rose the trees
in clumps of fresh yerdure.
Through the lazy foliage of the trees
Ayette distinguished a dress coming
and going along the flower beds. and
once in IN Unsheltered spot the owner
of the dress, an elegant young woman,
strollin@ about with 4 book in her hand
AT the end of the path she turned to
retraee her steps, by chance raised her
eyes and stopped, amazed by the sudden
appearance OF this Louis the Fifteenth
cavalier. Avette. charmed by the read
er's beauty and proud of attracting her
attention, raised her fingers to her lips
and sent an ardent kiss floating down to
the beautiful unknown.
She blushed, ran up the steps of the
house TO which the garden belonged and
disappeared.
i was barely 9 o'clock next morninc.
Varnet was charging his palette and
Avette was preparing to pose, when
percmptory rap sounded upon the
studio door. \ gentleman desired to
see NJ. Earnet at once, in spite of the
excuses of that gentleman that a model
was posing.
The young Girl picked up 4 bundle in
which was the Louis NN. costume, and
trippcd across the studio.
oSir, he began. curtly. as Avette
vanished, my presence will not sur
prise you when tell YOU that | am NJ
de Lesney, occupant of the adjoining
dwelling the dwelling facing Your
window -"
"Ah, murmured the painter, trying
to understand, rs his visitor paused ex-
pectantly, you honor me, pray be
seated"
1T is not worth while. sin. and as you
still do not grasp the object OF my visit,
sir, permit me to make it plain. Last
evening young man in Il BAL nrlsque
costume was at your window. And that
young man addressed dared to address,
! should say, signai-a kiss, to be eN-
act, sir-to my daughter"
a kiss? Flow sir?'
Why -er-this way, with his hand" F"
Your daughter saw him?" stammer-
ed Eanet more and more mystitied.
"She saw him, sir and herself in
formed me of it. 1t was a piece of
thoughtIesS levity, | krkw that; but
YOU must see, YOU must understand
sir, that ] must prevent a recurrence of
ii. Even joke may be carried too far,
sir.
suddenly thought struck Varnet.
Mile. De Lesuey was in the garden
at the time. was She not?"
Yes, reading, sir, and raising her