The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1896-09-04

| N~K agreeable, ana at the
~ - same time nodded to
- ~ her husband. He left
the table, and soon returned with a
box decorated with many inscriptions,
containing large cigars, each envel-
| oped IN silver paper. and having oil
the luxury due to their high price.
AS the case, passing from hand to hand,
! came to me, took one and offered the
box to my neighbor, who, gently push
ing it aside, said: "Thank you, do
not smoke!"
"You don't smoke!" cried the host
ess, in astonishment.
"And where. pray, did you form
that habit?"
''It is not habit, but punish
ment." he replied.
"a punishment? / do not under
stand" said she, in mystified tone.
"Of course you cannot understand.
It is romance"
"a romance! Tell us about it..
Evidently my neighbor wanted moth.
ing better than request for his little
romance, and with an inclination of
the head, which seemed to say, ooh.
willingly. l wait only for the word
from you," commenced by saying:
~ am aow fifty years old, madame,
md carry my age-but that does not
matter. However, I have not always
been that old. twenty-five years ago
I was-at least people tell me so--a
young man, not tunprepossessing tall,
with hair and pretty blonde mus
tache, thick and heavy in the middle
and tapering at each side into fine
points. turned haughtily upward. My
friends pretended that I prickled all
hoarts with my mustache. Evidently
them entirely, although 1 did pierce
several. 1 smoked great deal at that
time. and friends, when they met me
in the evening with lighted cigar,
oried: "There is Phillip, illuminating
his mustache." To be brief, my mus
tache caused great deal of jealousy,
and was very proud of it. One beau
tiful day. above oil beautiful even.
ing, I fell in love. It was ut ball.
had danced three waltzes with
an adorable young girl. My heart was
taken during the first waltz. Imade
inquiries in regard to the beauty who
had made such deep impression upon
me, and learned she was the daughter
OF millionaire merchant, of most
honorable family that she would havo
q dowry of 500, 600 francs that her par.
ents were hard to please they desired
son.in.law distinguished, intelligent,
rich. In word, pearl. A pearl? l
was too modest to hope to meet their
ideas, and rs l possessed bnt small
fortune, l believed it my duty not do
take part IN the race, anil rctrcated in
disorder. When one is in love it is
very rare that one is able to hide it.
Ny friends sooE discoycrcd my sccr;t.
People discussed me. Some p!:.:ci ;&S,
some tormentcd me. Finally the fac:,
In passing from friend to friend, from
parlor to parlor, came to the ear of Mile
Genevieve, and she lenrncl one day that
there existed In the world n young man
with blonde mustache who was lam
gushing for her. Was she touched by
my discreet passion? Had | already
made an impression upon her.
Perhaps YOUR mustachc had," in
terrupted..
''Yes. no doubt is was my mustnchc,"
he replied. 'At any rate, whatever it
was, Genevieve informed her father she
wished to marry me. The father OBJ
jected. but the young girl was tenacious
and gained the day. Our engagement
was six weeks long. Those were six
delightful weeks for me, for Genevieve
was adorable. We were left alone in
tho parlor during the evenings and had
long talks. From day to day grew
more fond of the girl, who also :elt
her love for me increase. We built
many air castles and promised our
selves happiness for our entire lives.
In regard to everything We agreed
marvelously; were always o; one ac-
cord, and | could not see in our future
single shadow that could later lead
to the slightest discussion. Therefore
how could we quarrel? Was I not
ready to do anything IN the world TO
please my Genevievc? 1t was quite
sufficient that she said to me one even
ing. on seeing me light my cigar, Il
beg OF you, my lover, not to smoke
any more. That would give me so
much pleasure. And l threw aside /
my cigar at once, with the determine
ton never to smoke again. How very
agreeable her gratitude was to me for |
this privation had imposed upon my.
s".f. Said she: If YOU only knew |
how much love yoa for thus crafty |
ing my desire" And | replied: Il am /!
only too happy III o3cving YOU
81 was sincere. | WAS very happy !
TO please her, LapPr in parting with |,
py ciGars. | had abandoned the EoX. |
VI was there on the mnutcl in my room. .
When returned homc after spending
the evening with Gcncrleve | stepped |,
mp to 1t before going to bed and |!
c ntl.hnl nllt Lunl L., M 8. ....,. l