Bennington semi-weekly banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 1894-1902, 1895-01-11
A PORCELAIN CUP.

One morning as I was strolling through
the streets in the neighborhood of the OPP
era l stopped in front of shop Of curiosi-
ties and antiques and ran my eye over tho
different articles displayed in the window,
of which the majority were old aCquaint-
ances and some of which had passed
through my own hands.
AS was about to pass on the door OF
the shop opened, and who should come
out but my friend Octave Ducrozel, whom
/ had not seen for several months. The
moment he saw me he came forward, and
noticed that he seemed annoyed, and that
the hand he gave me trembled in way ]
had never known before.
"What has happened?" I inquired Of
him. "You look worried"
"Oh, these women, these womenl" he
growled in a voice that seemed addressed
to his own reflections rather than to me-
do not trust their promises; do not place
any confidence in their VOWS. It's enough
to make a man blow his brains out. D."
"I'll see that you don't do that" 1 said
quietly, passing my arm through his. Il
shall stick to you like your own shadow. +"
eff you only knew" continued the poor
fellow. And it is only five years ago. I
was in love, head over ears in love. l
loved with all the passion and intensity
of first love- 1t was with beautiful
young girl at Batignolles. She was stay
ing with her mother, and in order to re-
main by her side as long as she lived she
had refused many offers of marriage
Louise Audry was as lovely as she was no.
BILE in her devotion to her mother,
L. -
adorn the object of its affections with all
the graces and charms imaginable. was
fortunate enough, too, to prove not dis
pleasing to Louise and before long we
had formed the delightful plan of uniting
our destinies and getting married. We
decided to wait two or three months be-
fore taking the final step.
unexpected events, however, caused a
different disposal of our plans. Compelled
to undertake a long journey, Of which the
termination seemed doubtful, found my
self obliged to postpone the wedding until
my return. When we said goodby, Louise
gave me faithful promise to wait for me
as long as events might make necessary.
GAS token Of my tender affection
begged her acceptance of an extremely
beautiful porcelain goblet that had been
left to me by my grandmother, and which
l cherished as the apple of my eye.
Louise was delighted to possess an article
that would constantly remind her of me
and promised me that whatever might
happen she would not suffer it to leave
her possession.
'Those were her last words. Shortly
after they fell from her beautiful red lips
l started on my journey.
-Four years passed, as you know, be-
fore l returned to France. During that
time | was in the center of Africa con-
Quoting explorations and practically eX
lied from the world, receiving no news
and able to send none.
. CAS- soon as arrived in Paris hurried
to see Louise, to whom l had telegraphed
from MarScilles. Alas, what cruel de-
Ception was in store for me!
1.-The house she used to live in had been
torn down and removed by the construc-
ton of new street No one knew where
Nine. Audry and her daughter had gone
to live, and all my efforts to trace them
were Intellectual and vain.
Several months have gone by since
then without bringing any news to change
the unhappy state of affairs.
"This morning while looking through
the shops to find birthday present for
my sister, went by chance into the shop
where you have just met me.
81 examined first the NUM- erless trim
kets displayed in the showcases-the an
Gent jewelry, Cne enamels, worries, china
sets, miniatures and masterpieces of the
arts of the gold and silversmiths. Then
the salesman placed in my hands some
1oin iy,C l,l
my attention to several graceful vases,
japanese bronzes and dainty articles OF
crocllery ware.
while searching thus for something