Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1896-09-09

e I p ssai ssH stsBsna. si5s nodded ffs lett It
the table, and soon returned with e
box decorated with many Inscriptions,
containing large cigars, each enVei.
oped IN silver paper, and having all
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: "Thanl 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 Q punish
ment," he replied.
"A punishment? I do not under
stand" said she. in n,ysti6ed tone.
"Of course you cannot understand.
It is romance.
ga romance! Tell us about it. '
Evidently my neighbor wantelnoth'
ing better than request for his little
romance, and with On inc!iuatiou OF
the head, which seemed to say, ooh.
willingly. I wait only for the word
from you," commenced by saying:
81 am 1ow fifty years old, madame,
and I carry my sge-but that does not
matter. However, / have not always
been that old. Twenty-Five years ago
/ wasn't least people tell me so-a
young man, not nuprepossessing; tall,
with hair and protty blonde mus
tache, thick and heavy in the middle
and tnpering at each side into fine
points. turned haughtily upward. My
friends pretended that [ prickled ali
hearts With my lnustache. Evidently
they exaggerated. did not believe
them entirely, although I did pierce
several. I smoked great dea! at that
time, and friends, when they met me
in The evening with lighted cigar,
cried: "rhere is Phillip, Illuminating
his mustache." TO be brief, my mus
taohe caused a gteat deal OF jealousy,
and I was very nrsal Of il. One beau
tifIl day, ab,,e all u 'alutiful even
ing, fell in 1--we. 1t wes at ball.
l had danced three waltzss with
an lorable young girl. My heart was
taken during the 6rss waltz. made
inquiries in regard TO tue beauty who
had made such deep impression upon
me, and learned she was the daughter
of millionaire merchant, of a most
honorable family; that she would have
dowry of5OO, 0DO francs ;,,that her par
ents were hard to please they desired
son-in-law distinguished, intelligent,
rich. In word, O pearl. A pearl2 /
was too modest to hope to meet their
ideas, and as / possessed but small
fortune, believed it my duty not do
take part in the race, and retreated in
disorder. When one is in love it is
very rare that one is able to hide it.
My friends soon discovered my secret.
People discussed me. Some pitied me.
some tormented me. Finally the fsct,
in passing from friend to friend, from
parlor to parlor, came to the ear OF Mile.
Gensvieve, and she learned one day that
there existed in the world a young man
with blonde mustache who Was Ian.
gushing for her. Was she touched by
my discreet passion? Had / already
made an impression upon herr"
perhaps your mnstache had, I in
terrupted.
"Yes, no doubt is was my mustachc, +"
he replied. cat any rate, whatever it
was, Genevieve informed her father che
wished to marry me. The father OBJ
ieoted, butthe young girl was tenacious
and gained the day. Our engagement
was six weeks long. Those were six
delightful weeks for me, for Geneyieve
was adorable. We were left alone in
the parlor during the evenings and had
long talks. From day to day I grew
more fond OF the girl, who also felt
her love for me increase. We built
many air castles and promised onr-
selves happiness for our entire lives.
In regard to everything we agreed
marvelously; were always OF one ac-
cord, and I could not see in oac 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 Genevieve? 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 I threw aside
my cigar at once, with the dctermina-
tion never to smoke again. How very
agreeable her gratitude was to me for
this priyation l had imposed upon my-
self. Said she: If you only knew
how much I love you for thus crafty
ing my desirer And replied: Il am
only too happy in obeying you
'I was sincere. I was very happy
to please her, happy in parting with
my cigars. I had abandoned the box.
1t was there on the mnntel in my room.
When returned home after spending
the evening with Genevieve / stepped
up to it before going to bed and
sttetched out my hand. But my word
Ali, but it was hard. to resist the temp.
tation. I Intentionally left the box
on the mantel piece and treated every.
body-my friends, the janitor, and
the man who polished my floor. Those
brave men, as though they had di'
vined my desire, made every effort to
diminish my chance ofsuccumbing. The
great day arrived at last. 1 had spoken
to the mayor. 1t had been agreed
that I should go to the house for Gene.
We've at l o'clock. That morning ]
rose early. 1 put on my new black
irock coat, made for the occasion. AT,
ter was entirely ready, after having
retwisted the ends of my mustache, /
looked at my watch. 1t was high
noon. / had still an hour to wait.
An hour I had waited six months
before knowing whether l would ever
see Genevieve again. | had waited
CIV ,uaako from the time / had been