Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1896-03-05
No. II

gold buckles, "and these are the gloves
she wore. To think I have them yet
and my great grandmother has been
dust these one hundred years. We
mig ht have sold her toilet oyer and over
and over again when we were hungry
and cold, but we always preferred to
suffer for my grandmother's sake. Now
listen, monsieur. Little Annette across
the street, you love her. have seen so.
She has heart as sweet as nut and
as bonny face as ever the sun kissed.
If put these robes on her she will look
like grand dame fit for monsieur's
brush. She will be fresh like the rose
and as beautiful. She shall be your
model and l will make his fortune"
That night when the sausage vender
took in his stand Annette, free at last,
slipped across the road and the old
madame 1obed the girl in the ball gown
and fastened her soft fluffy curls in a
knot high on her head with a quaint
tortoise shell comb. Wrapped in cloaks
the two stole down the street and en-
tered the tall building. They threaded
their way among the dusty bags soaring
the silver coated mice, and climbed the
stairs to the artists studio.
When his eyes fell on the vision of
loneliness madamepresented to him they
shone with new light. Love? Well
part love and part artistic rapture; but
in either case Annette was the cause.
The little Frenchwoman clapped her
hands and laughed joyfully.
"Dld not tell monsieur he should
see? Have I not fetched him a worthy
model"
Always during the sittings madame
sat decorously by. knitting Industrious.
ly but keeping sharp eye out as be-
became a chaperon. Not the slightest
symptom of love making escaped her.
Every detail of the fresh, young face
became familiar to him until at last
from the canvas looked forth the sau-
sage vender's daughter in the grand
DANES robes as beautiful as the proudest
lady in the land.
VI can do no more" sighed the artist.
Then madam arose, and taking the
girl by the hand, led her towards the
door.
Monsieur has no longer need of Ut"
she said. "Adieu."
But the artist would not have it so.
He pushed past the old Frenchwomen
and stood before the girl.
VI love you, Annette, will you not
marry me?"
"Tut, tut," said madame. "You must
speak first to M. Laubeau. We will
have no bold American manners here.
If he consents then Annette may think
of you. Come Annette"
It was indeed true that madame had
brought good luck to the poor artist.
The portrait was sent to a picture dealer
In less than a week it was sold, and
orders had come through the dealer.
enough to set the artist busy. He went
to thank the old Frenchwoman.
"The good people like something fresh
Monsieur might have sat in his garnet
and pinned and been melancholy till he
died. Good luck would have none of
him. One must be Erave and smile to
win fortune"
VI owe everything to you" said the
grateful young man.
Yah, true" returned madame, "but
tell me, have you yet won M. Lau beau's
CONSENT"
"AlasI He refuses me Annette's hand
He will give no reason"
WE must learn" said madame.
Leaning far out the window of her
tiny shop, she beckoned frantically to
to the sausage vender across the road.
He came followed by Annette.
why is it NJ. Laubeau refuses his
daughter to the young monsieur who
loves her truly% asked the French
woman.
V could not get on without Annette
grumbled the old man; there would be
none to cry hot sausages.'
Virtue, true" said madam "but must
the young people be unhappy for this"
VI am DID," continued the sausage
vender, "and l have but Annette. III
yield her to the young monsieur who
will care for me"
Wet me think" said madame. Yah,
l have it! 1t is said only the young
should wed bat I say it is we'll to be
comfortable in ones old days, and
companion is needful. If M. Laubean
wishes it I will reconsider the proposal
he made to me years ago; he shall fetch