The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1896-05-02
Selett. Storn.
FORTY-ONE SOUS.
From Boston Home Journal.


merchant, widower with an only daugh-
ter, is seated in the dining-room near the
table, upon which he casts despairing
glances from time to time. The table is
set for two persons, and two chairs are
drawn up to it.
Since FIVE minutes to six the ex-mer-
chant widower with one child has waited
for his daughter, and, as the clock now
marks half-past, one may appreciate the
extent of his hunger.
Not to have begun upon the dessert at
half-past six 1t is about to strike the
half hour now-it is striking-it has
struck. The two doors of the little rustic
clock open and the impertinent bird, shak-
ing its wings, sounds its ''cuckoo' in a
particularly ironic tone.
For thirty five minutes an excellent soup
has been spelling little by little, and, worse
than all, he does not know what may be
happening, for good or i'll, to his beloved
daughter Charlotte at this moment Cruel
anguish wherein in the inquietude of the
heart and the pangs of hunger intermingle
At this moment Gertrude, the old Nurse,
family cook, young lady maid-ina a word,
veritable female factotum-enters the
dining room grumbling.
"Mademoiselle left as usual at foul
clock for her music lesson The lesson
lasts an hour Allowing half an hour tc
90 and as long to return, she should have
been here, as she always is, at six o clock. .
'.An now it is thirty five minutes past.
''But the omnibus is frequently full.
IA plague on the omnibus y
perhaps, as the weather is fine, mad
emoiselle has taken walk and will return
home on foot by way of Rue de la Paix,
and there are many milliners and jeweller'
and pretty things to attract young per
son along this route. y
1.-THE deuce take the fashions and the
iewelry, and the girl herself, if she keeps
me waiting like this | should like tt
know what one wishes to see after the din.
ner hour has arrived.
s'Not to mention the loyers-the dan
dies that follow pretty passers-by to whis
per to them com"
"Oh, I see Lovers, indeed You
are laughing at me, Gertrude. Thank the
Lord, Charlotte understands how to send
such rascals to the rightabout. -
''There is perhaps nothing in it, and
may be fool, bnt how father can have
his daughter run alone through the streets,
Il
tRun Run ! In the name of heaven
You know, on the contrary, Gertrude,
Charlotte never hurries herself. y
81 am glad you can jest about it. But
mark my words, this will all end badly.
Monsieur Chapoulot refuses to listen
further. He has taken sudden resolu'
ton.
Gertrude, take away the soup. Keel
it hot, and bring me my boots; l am going
to meet her.
Gertrude, still mumbling, removes the
tureen, and is returning with the boots,
when the door-bell peals out joyously.
'sThat is Charlotte at last p exclaims
the father, who has just taken off his slip
pers.
at is mademoiselle, - repeats Gertrude,
who in her haste to open the door drops
the boots upon Monsieur Chapoulot's plate.
Charlotte enters like miniature whirl-
wind She is small and graceful, with
laughing eyes and fluffy hairs eighteen
years old, has little feet with arched in
steps, and pretty hand, perfectly gloved;
beside thousand other charming details
there are dimples in her cheeks, and she
has clean-cut little chin, and softly
rounded form. In word, she is an ador-
able little Parisienne, butterfly, all rib
bons and lace, flowers and furbelows, with
all the goods of her father shop upon her
dainty person, but assuredly nothing OF
the shop about her.
ssYou have come at last, announces
the father ironically, as he seats himself at
the table and unfolds his napkin.
"0h, papa, l was just going to tell
you. /"
'sSit down, sit down first; you can ex-
plain while eating, and will understand
you better then. The deuce ! have
waited long enough already. Gertrude
the soup.
''But, papa, you can think I've had
a real adventure.
can adventure p cries Monsieur Cha.
poulot, starting up, just as Gertrude gives
him glance ofreproach as well as triumph,
above the tureen, as much as to say, "a
told you SO p
eyes, papa, an adventure, in the ON.
nibus, with young man.
SIN the omnibus, with young man
Merciful heavens p
'tOh, papa, an adventure with a youns
man who was altogether comnae IL faat,
assure you.'
81 would have you know, my dear
that young man who is con,me II fan
never has an adventure with young lady
above all in an omnibus Explain your
self.
''That is easy to do, little papa, ant
really it ism of the least use to max,
such big eyes at me and talk to me in sucl
voice. l had forgotten my pocket
book--a thing that is liable to happen an,
day
ssOh, yes, especially to those VIII,
haven't one Go on.
sfI didn't diecovar II until the condue