The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-08-17
A BIT OF JEALOUSY.

Near the rare MOnceau Is pretty
little house that seems to hide in bush
of clematis the home of young and
charming widow of 49, The sacrament
of baptism gave her the name of Louise
and the sacrament Of marriage made
her the Countess of Viry. She had as
pet and constant companion delicate
little Mexican poodle, all white and
woolly. to which was given as It's sole
nourishment 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
butterfly.
Nito playfully pursued his mistress
with barks of delight, at times seizing
with his teeth the ruffie of her blue
muslin dress, and, propping himself
upon his paws, pulled at it with all his
strength.
In the midst of their play M. Jacques
de Beauchamp entered the garden The
little widow, perceiying 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,
'fthat 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 so white that when she laugh
ed they glistened like pearls. How we'll
she carried her widowhood and in a
way to honor herselfi 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 1t must have
been jealous instinct
Louise and Jacques agreed SO we'll
that they had planned to be married.
Nevertheless each of them had defect.
M. de Beauchamp 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 l see you in society so full
of lifepand gayety and hear your ring
ing laughter from the midst of a circle
of ardent admirers, it is impossible for
me to tell you the fortunes and anguish
endure. -
"And what can 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 a coquette, and your laugh
makes me despair, because if you laugh
thus against my wish it 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 | do to prove my
love for you? 1t is becoming desperate.
Ask Of me what you please, but do
not ask me not to laugh any more. am
only happy when am glad and free to
be light hearted. -
NJ de Beauchamp assumed a solemn
air.
"You said to me one evening that
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 harbarous.
"Only tooth. The smallest one in
the front. And afterward you may
laugh as much as you please.
"But you will think 1 am ugly and
will not love me any more.
II swear to you there is no other way
to assure my happiness.
The countess rang the bell. John, her
valet, took her orders and came back
quarter Of an hour later with gentle
man carrying in his hand leather case
such as is used by surgeons.
'tWho is that person?" asked M. de
Beauchamp.
The countess answered:
''It is Mr.. James, the American den
fist. -
The little countess entered her bou-
doir, followed by Nito, his tail between
his legs, as if he understood that some
thing serious was about to happen.
Louise returned shortly afterward.
ashamed and humbled, and gave to M.
de Beauchamp little tooth as white as
milk. which he carried to his lips and
covered with kisses. Seeing this tribute
of affection, Louise ran away.
Jacques had the tooth set in me-
dallion and carried it religiously around
his neck as a souvenir.
From that day the little countess be-
came very sad. Only upon rare occa-
sions was her face lighted up by smile.
She kept aloof from society as much as
possible, but when she was forced by
her social duties to appear among her
friends they saw her keeping apart from
the others or sitting in corner with
serious air, her mouth closed like
prison door.
Jacques did not easily recognize her.
In fact, she was greatly changed.
Poor oountessP' said some evil
minded ones. "She is getting old How
changed she isl She seems to be mourn
ing the dead. "
And Jacques felt his love diminish
little by little. He began to understand
that what he loved in her was especially
her smile, her playfulness, her gayety,
and he also became sad. The more he
tried to regain his love, which seemed
to be leaving him, the more he realized
that he himself had killed his passion.
One day he went in despair to Mime.
de Viry.
Louise, he said, throwing himself
at her feet, ''do you love me still?'
81 have sworn to love you always.
and the stiller you are the better, she
answered.
"will you prove to me the sincerity
of your words?'
Il ask nothing else. =
"Well, then, if you love me have the
dentist put in a new TOOTH.
"What folly is this?' said Louise-