The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-09-20


tho utmost attainablc degree of perfection
Then l was Quite ready.
II consulted my watch. Twelve o. clock
had still an hour before mc-a whole
hour had waited six months merely
to find out If should over SEQ Gcnevicye
again. had waited six weeks from tho
day wo were engaged to tho day wo wero
to DO married, ami now only an hour sep
aratcd us, and yet l burned with impa-
thence.
II walked about the room; sat down
and got up again; I looked out of tho
window; L pulled open tho drawers and
tumbicd over tho contents, seeking fer
some occupation, some distraction-any-
thing to help kill tho time. The last hour
dragged most awfully 1shiftcd the things
on the mantclpiccc, aisi in doing SO my
eyes fell on the box of cigars. There was
only one left My friends had not stinted
themselves.
Only ono. picked it up mechanical
~. 1t was we'll made and nicely finished.
tested it by the noso and by the ear 1t
was dry and Ind delightful smell To
tho eye 1T was neither too light nor too
dark. In n single word, it was really
choice cigar. But dropped it back into
tho box as If it burned my fingers and
shut my eyes the better to escape temptu-
ton.
<hO eiiiS 1 ncurQ Glo quarter
chime Thrce-Quartcrs of an hour still
to wait, growled and began beating n
tattoo with my foot Then went back to
the chimney, and Immediately my gaze
fastened itself on tho forbidden object
Kicking up tho cigar again, l began play
ing with it-onc Is sometimes seized with
sudden madness-I bit it with my teeth.
held n lighted match to it, and throwing
myself into an easy chair began to
smoke. 1t was delicious.
In few minutes 1 had thrown bnck
my head, half closed my eyes and given
myself up to the enjoyment of tho narcotic
influence. was Tapped In that sweet sen
sation which is not sleep, but belongs to
that hazy border country where thought
enus and dreaming begins. Suddenly /
was awakened by n slight odor rs of some
thing scorching
II looked round tho accommodating.
went to the curtains. l examined the dra-
pcries, felt my frock coat, waistcoat, but
discovered nothing. Bah! Two been
dreaming. pulled out my watch. Great
heavens, 20 minutes past 1!
Selling my hat and gloves, descend.
cd four steps ut time and jumped into
the cab that WAS waiting.
Tho concierge was ut tho door as 1
passed out. On seeing mo he burst into
laugh in which tho cabman joined
They're amusing themselves at my
expense, thought 1, because happen to
DO late.
Reaching tho house of my prospective
father in-law, took tho stairs at a bound.
John, who opened tho door, gavo n lit.
tic start OH seoing me. Then, finding his
tongue:
Everybody has gone, monsieur, after
waiting for monsieur. Mile. Gencvicve
did not seem very we'll satisfied but she
lett mo her orders, monsieur. was to tell
monsieur, II he came, not to lose another
minute, but to follow without delay
have given monsieur my commission
All the time he was speaking and
plastcrng mo so plcntifully with mon
sicur' could sec the fellow was nearly
bursting with laughter.
What arc you laughing at mo for
eh2' 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 l what
plenscs mademoiselle, and If mademoiselle
likes them in that style
II had no time to waste over this idiot
went down the stairs even moro quickly
than 1 asccndod them.
In the courtyard 1 found the house
servants looking curious and cxpectant,
LUZ HuiShiS AS puSSeQ UnO row Oh grim
ming faces l overland low whisporings and
smothcrcd laughter.
: Decidedly, grumbled 1 in Ill humor,
1T would appear that these 'nincoms''
sec something funny in q bridegroom run.
ming after his bride
Tho coachman whipped up the horses,
and at 10 minutes after was Mt the
town hall.
Tho registry Office for marriagcsP'
bawled to the b,adle.
For marriages? Not for yourself per.
hapsf
" Yos, it is for myself
For you, ch? Well she's u good sort,
she is, and letting himself fall OH to q
bench he held his sides
= don t know what kept me from pull
ing tho ears of this rascal, but contented
myself with asking, in q voice which nd.
united of only ono reply:
VIII you direct mc-yes or no-to the
registry of marriagcsf'
He mado an emphatic gesture. TIC
the right, moDsieur-cnd of vestibule. ,
Then, falling back In his seat, he repeated
tho words, She's good sort, she is.
u ran to the door indicated and enter.
cd
"'Ah, at last! Here he ISL exclaimed
my father in-law.
g had rushed in suddenly and was ad
vancing quickly when very thunder
peal of laughter smote upon my ears AT
tho same instant handkcrchiefs appeared
as If by magic, and every face WINS buried
in their snowy folds, while on every side
could hear oh, oh! All, ahl Good ora.
cious! How very queerl' etc.
Tho mayor Was choking In his arm
chair. Gcncvicve, her face hidden i'll hon
hands, was shaking violently. Her moth
CT, half suHocated, was gesticulating fran