Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-08-03
A BIT OF JEALOUSY,


Near the Pare Monceau is pretty
little house that seems to hide in bush
of clematis the home Of young and
charming widow Of 20. The sacrament
Of baptism gave her the name Of Louise
and the sacrament of marriage made
her the Countess Of Viry. She had as q
pet and constant companion delicate
little Mexican poodle, all white and
woolly, to which was given as its sole
nourishment a lump Of sugar in the
morning and sweet biscuit in the even
ing. His name was Nito.
1t was o'clock. Louise was running
along the pebbly paths Of her garden,
fitting among the rosebushes like a
butterfly
Nito playfully pursued his mistress
with banks of delight, at times selling
with his teeth the ruf1e of her blue
muslin dress, and, propping himself
upon his paws, pulled at 1t with all his
strength.
In the midst Of their play M. Jacques
de Beauohamp entered the garden. The
little widow, perceiving him, hid her
self behind an orange tree. But Jacques
ran to her and, surprising her, kissed
her on the forehead.
"Ah, M. de Beauchamp," she cried,
that is not nice Of you"
Louise was Of medium height. She
had very small hands and feet, white
shoulders and thick black hair. Her
teeth were 80 white that when she laugh
ed they glistened like pearls. How we'll
she carried her widowhood and in a
way to honor herself! The young maid
en- is generally too timid and bashful.
She bushes and casts down her eyes at
the least word Of compliment. The
widow, on the other hand, has the right
to hear everything, and when one speaks
to her Of love she knows readily what
that means.
Louise leaned upon the arm Of M.
de Beauchamp, and they went into the
parlor, followed by Nito, who threw
some jealous glanoes at him who was
to be the future husband Of his mistress.
Of course the poor little animal could
not have known that. It must have
been.a jealous instinct.
Louise and Jacques agreed so well
that they had planned to be married.
Nevertheless each of them had defect.
M. de Beauohamp was jealous and
Nine. de Viry was coquettish.
Louise" he said to her, 'you will
drive me to despair. You say that you
love me, but how can ! believe it when
see you smiling at every admirer and
giving to every conner SO sweet recep-
ton? When see you in society so full
Of life and gayety and hear your ring
ing laughter from the midst Of circle
of ardent admirers, it is impossible for
me to tell you the tortures and anguish
endure.
"And what can I do, dear?" replied
Louise. II am gay, it is true, but is
that crime? And why should ] be cold
to those who approach me only to say
pleasant and agreeable things?'
"You are coquette, and your laugh
makes me despair, because if you laugh
thus against my wish 1t must be only
to show your teeth. You know very
well how adorable you are when in
laughing with fixed purpose you throw
back your head and show your pretty
white neck.
"But what must I do to prove my
love for you? It is becoming desperate.
Ask Of me what you please, but do
not ask me not to laugh any more. / am
only happy when I am glad and free to
be light hearted.
M. de Beauchamp assumed solemn
air.
you would make for me the sacrifice of
your life. | do not ask SO much as that.
But listen. Do you wish to make me
the happiest man on earth?"
"You have but to speak.
Even at the price Of suffering?"
Eyes, at any price. /"
"Well, then, make me the sacrifice OF
one tooth. =
what are you demanding Of me? 1t
is barbarous. I"
"Only tooth. The smallest one in
the front. And afterward you may.
laugh as much as you please. "
But you will think ! am ugly and
will not love me any more"
s'Iswear to you there is no other way