Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1895-10-18
THE HELMET.

NV uncle turned from me, as red as scar
let, and struck his fist upon his desk.
"Never"' he cried. Never! Do you
hear me?"
l looked at him, with supplicating eyes
and clasped hands, while he continued:
"Look at this nice husband, who is penni-
less and thinks already of beginning house
keeping A pretty mess l should make to
give YOU my ward, who is to inherit all
have! l have said no, and it is useless
for you to try to make me say yes!
l insisted no longer. l knew that my
uncle was the most headstrong of men.
1 simply heaved a deep sigh and resumed
the securing of a long culverin covered
with rust
This memorable conversation took place
one morning in summer in the shop of my
maternal uncle, an established dealer in
antiquities and objects of art, at 53 Rue
Claquette. The sign of the cross of Malta
was over the door. 1t was shop having
an excellent patronage, and it was verit-
able museum.
On its walls hung tdiences from Mar
settles and old Rouen, while opposite them
were old coats of armor, sabres, guns, and
boxes of pictures. In all directions were
old sideboards, chests of all sorts, statuettes
of saints, armless or legless for the most
part, or from which the gliding was fast
fading; books, large and small; all forms
of lachrymatories, tiny urns, rings, precious
stones, fragments of marble bracelets,
crosses, necklaces, medals, and little images
in ivory, whose yellow tint would appear
for an instant in the sun to have the trans
parency of real flesh.
The shop had belonged to the Corner
berts from time immemorial 1t had pass
ed regularly from father to son, and my
uncle, according to what his neighbors
said, ought to be pretty well of, for,
besides his business, he had the position
of a municipal councillor, and was fully
aware of the importance of his office He
was large, fat man, short of limb, very
quick-tempered and headstrong, but not
unkind in the main. Such was my Uncle
Cornerbert, my only relative on earth, who
had educated me and then had raised me
to the dignity of first and only clerk of the
Cross of Malta.
But my uncle was not only dealer in
antiquities and municipal councillor. He
was also, and above all, the guardian and
sole protector of the beautiful daughter of
an old friend, who had left her to him.
Her name was Rose, and l was dead in
love with her. And do you ask, how did
she look? Why, what can l say? Is not
the one we love always beautiful, and does
she not seem to be the best of all good
maidens? l loved Rose with my eyes, as
with my heart; and, TO tell the truth, l
knew that was not displeasing to her. 1t
seemed as if we had always loved each other
since the far-of times of the vacations,
when l had picked for her the most beau
tiful flowers of the garden, or when, seat
ed on the grass, we took our lunch togeth-
er.
On Sunday when we were promenading
1 gave her my arm, wrapped in my colleg-
ian tunic, the buttons of which in those
days polished till they became miniature
suns. All those were happy years!
l return now to my uncle who, at my
side, without needing my signs while
continued to clean my long cannon, was
examining, glass in hand, a lot of old
medals, brought in that same morning
Suddenly he raised his hand. Five
o'clock struck.
1.-THE councilr'
No sooner had my uncle pronounced
these words, 1.-THE council" than he i'm
mediately struck his forehead and added,
mo, the meeting does not take place at
this hour, but | am reminded that must
60 to the station to get package which
was to come to-day" Ge-r>ea
Rising, he put the glass upon the table,
and called, "Rose my cane and my hat
Then turning toward me, GAS to YOU
he spoke very low and very rapidly,-"do
not forget our conversation. If you think
to force me to say yes, try it, but doubt
your ability. In the mean time, not a
word to Rose, or by st. Bartholomew, my
blessed patron, l will put you out of the
door Immediately"
Rose quickly entered bringing the cane
and hat, which she held toward her guar
dian; he kissed her upon her forehead
then, casting on me a last eloquent look,
he went brusquely out. | continued 10
bLl ish my culverin. Rose gently ap-
preached me.
"Why, what is the matter with him?''
she asked. "One would think that he was
angry with your
looked at her. Her eyes were so dark
her expression so angelic, her lips so rosy
and her teeth so white that told her all
my love, and of my demand and my uncle's
brutal refusal.
Rose answered nothing. She lowered
her eyes and blushed like a cherry.
stopped. care you angry with me?'
asked, trembling all over. "Rose, you dc
not wish to have me for lover J"
She extended her hand to me. Then my
heart bounded, and my head took fire.
cried, "Rose, / swear to you will be YOU
husbandr AS she shook her head, look.
ing at me sadly, l added, "Oh, l wei
know my uncle is obstinate, but | will be
more obstinate than he. will force hin
to say yes"
"But how?" asked Rose. 1t was just
there that the difficulty lay! No matter
would find way. Just then we heard a
step in the street. Instinctively we sep
arated. / recommended my securing, and
Rose, to keep herself in countenance, be
gan to wipe with a corner of her apron 9
little statuette which rested on a cushion
of faded velvet.
My uncle entered. He was evidently
surprised to see us together, and looked
suspiciously first at me and then at her
We rubbed away vigorously without
raising our heads.
"Here, take this" he said, abruptly
extending to me large package which h,
carried under his arm. SIT is a superb
purchase You will see"
did not care at all about 1t, but open
ed the package. From its wrapping
emerged helmet-not at all an ordinar,
helmet, but superb casque of monumental
size, with a collar-band and pointed viso
of singular shape. The visor was raised
/ turned the helmet between my hands
My uncle approached. "Oh! it is i'm
possible to shut the visor. The hinge /
strained. The helmet is, nevertheless,
superb piece, and we'll FURNISHED will hav