The morning times., 1896-03-22

gesture of the intensest irritation, throws
dcwn his seryiette upon the table.
1T is written that j shall not dine this
evening" he says to the old servant.
Find me a cab at once. l am going TO
restore TO this Agenor his six sous i'm
mediately, and to tell him few truths as
as well"
"But, papa, that will be ingratitude.
You must remember that this young man
has saved your daughter from un faux pas"
I'm faux pas! He has rather led you
into one. But, silence, missi l am not
going to receive lessons, above all lessons i'll
memory, from silly girl who forgets her
purse"
NJ. Chapoulot has taken his hat, and locks
even more cnraged than ever.
The Old servant comes back. "A cabman
is at tie door, but he VIII only agree to IL
single journey"
"Oh! That will do. 1 can easily find
another TO return"
And NJ. Chapoulot goes out in furious
haste. while Charlotte timidly oonfides to
the SympathiZing servant that she knows
even more OF the young man than she has
| dared TO say. For a month past he has
regularly Travelled in the same omnibus.
and she has noticed that lie has noticed,
etc, etc.
Agenor, in his bachelor apartment, sits
! thinking over his experience OF the even
! ing, and vowiDg he will rot wash until
! the morning the hand that had been touched
! 10y tie dainty fingers OF Charlotte when
! she received the card.
Suddenly sharp rap at the door, a violent
! opening, and a stout gentleman, out OF
| breath, his hat uEon his ears and cane III
hand, breaks in upon his dreaming.
Monsieur eXciaims tie invader, your
conduct is scandalous. You are not worthy
! the name OF a French gentleman. An
4
| OF ihC embarrassment and incNperience of
a young lady. To profit 10y the absence of
a father and purse, 10 offer your money
| and your card into tie bargain-to an un-
protected girl, may be a good invest
/ ment, butit IS a LaG action. Inavc brought
! you your six sons again, and would have
! you TO know, sir, that us for my daughter
and myself, we wish TO have nothing 10 Go
with you
And the stout gentleman, trembling with
/ his vehcmence, put his hand into his pocket
/ TO get the money, when, before Agenor
| has time TO recover from his bewilder-
ment. new actor enters CEon tie tCenc.
! Il is the caEman, ali furious, with an oath
| upon his lips, and brandishing his whip in
| u threatening manner.
"Eh! Youl What do you mean? You
! engage me for i single journey. Itell you
J ICannOt stay. You even order me 4 hurry.
! And then you Jump from my cab ike Il
| madman, and rush in here without Z word.
! None of that for me. have only Cne thin z
TO ask. Pay me my money quickly, or
-" And the whip goes round again
more emphaticaly Than before.
AgcnOr understands nothing OF il. But
! the stout gentleman, who has searched
vigorously IN all his pockets, becomes sud
/ denly pale, then red, then reddcr still
! then crimson. then violet He i silent in
! siupcfaCtion minute, ana then il answer
/ 10 more vigorous demand frCm the cab
man, he manages 10 faner:
i have-forgotten-my- -pursc"'
'oh, yes! l know" cries the enraged
| coChcT Il have seen that dodge before.
| You needn't Try ii on with me. Gene
along! YOU shan tell your tale At the police
! office" And he begins TO drag AWAY
| by the shoulders The unfortunate ChapOulOt,
| VITO Il ready to fan into an apoplectic fit.
Bu! Agcnor, true providence for the
family, draws from his pocket the neces-
| Sary sum, ana dismisses the driver.
You viii allow me, sir he says 10
! N. CnapoHioj, who, all ilatCnce understanding
J that il is possible 10 forget ones purse,
and that OF all friends friend in need
| is one indeed, can only reply with mile.
'MOnSieur-M. Baluchet, / believe
! thirty CcntimcS for the omnibus and one
| franc seventy-five for the cab, that makes
! fort y-one sous ! owe you. II you will be
/ SOOu enough 10 cine with Llc inns evening,
| we will settle our affairs at once. As an
| Old business man, ] like not outstanding
debts. Besides. ready reclionings always
make good friends"
! a quarter OF an hour later the servant
! pats third plate upon the table in the
| Rue dc Ia TTocadero. A month later there
/ is still larger party, when the wedding
| Of Charlotte and A gcnor is celebrated. And
NJ. Chapoulot will often say to those who
| care 10 hear him:
"Bcwa OF borrowing, OH fathers Of
| families. C'est un faux pas. l made once
| a debt of forty -one sous, and could only
! repay it with u dowry OF twenty thousand
| francs. The Strand.