The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1898-09-06

suggestion. That is either to blow out
your brains or wed an American heir
ess.'
1.-The first suggestion is concise and
not devoid Of your usual bad taste. The
second is impossible.
How impossible?"
De Lacaze shrugged his shoulders.
They We're narrow and trife bent.
Then he raised his meager eyebrows
suggestively.
have no acquaintance with Amer
lean heiresses. If I had, who of them
would be DESTROYS of exchanging her
millions for my title?"
But that is what they are doing ev-
cry day." remarked the duke, rising
and beginning to pace the narrow room
energetically. "Look at the past ten
years record. American girls give
youth, their birthright, to marry the
man OF their heart, their money and
their future to secure title. Why not
you as we'll as --?" He mentioned
the names Of several we'll known French
and Italian noblemen who had in this
spirited fashion redressed their attenu-
ated fortunes, thus altering their future
into an established and roseate surety
instead Of q dark descent into the ig-
nominy its projectors had done their
best to attain.
'fg' Listen. /" urged the duke. ~ have
q friend, a dramatic critic on the
Eclair. a bright specimen of nineteenth
century methods, who has analysed the
Gil Il -
justice. an eye for an eye a tooth for a
tooth, SO to speak" The duke was UNI
aware that he was quoting from the
Scriptures. He was merely repeating
what he considered clever saying of
his friend Desmoulins. sDesmoulins
knows to die every American heiress
in Paris" he continued. "He was tell
ing me all their names yesterday at the
Cercle-read them out of book, fig
urez-vous-aud has sent already to New
York to an agency there, Brown S
agency, think it is called, where any
one can make a calculation of the dot
the daughter may expect from summing
up her papa's possessions. 1t is as easy
as A b q. Come with me- Wewili see
Desmoulins. 1t is the hour for break
fast. We will meet him at Duland's. .
Done, +" said Laca2c
He seized his hat and cane, walked
briskly toward the restaurant, which
faces the classical facade of the Made
lelne, and found Desmoulins, type OF
the modern boulevartlier Il man some
80 years OF age, with merry. laughing
eyes, thick lips and shifting e.Sprcs-
sion as little to be trusted rs il was un-
definable.
In a few moments the subject was
opened and discussed.
Desmoulins Herewith drew out his
little book from his pocketand began to
turn the leaves, accompanying his act
with a running fire of adjectives, side
remarks, darts plthy and pertinent to-
ward De Lacaze and amused glances in
Che direction of the duke, who was
lazily discussing some hors d'9uvres
while consulting the wine list
"H'm," said Desmoulins, "hero is
just our affair. On the Avenue Mon
taigne, No. 50, in a magnificent apart
ment, dwells a ravissunto Americana.
Arrived one year ago. Complexion
blond, like white lace over pink silk, -
this last with wink at the duke, who,
broadly amused. was listening attentive.
~, and side glance at De Lacaze,
who, scowling heavily, had bent his
muddy eyes upon the floor.
"The young lady is justo of age. Hav-
ing pursued her studies at home, she
comes abroad to accomplish herself in
music. She is at present a pupil of
Purrini, the great Purrini
'H'm," interrupted De Lacaze, still
scowling sThe most arrant humbug
Of the age. knew him when he was
starving in Marseilles. His father was
a pork butcher, and his mother was a
washerwoman.
Desmoulins smiled delightedly. eek
actly," said he. "That goes to prove
that the young woman in question,
who is travelling with her aunt and lit
tie sister, is no more capable of UNDER
standing the true inwardness of Life
with capital T. than nous autres Fran
Gals can comprehend this little Ameri-
caine' s mad desertion of her own coun-
try, SO rife, we are informed, with OPP
IO4UuA44UASS AOA SAONOAOPA1ACaV etlAsI
making, neglecting it for ours, which
her countrymen, also gratuitously, in
form us to be old fashioned and out of
date,
"Finish with your superhuous re-
marks, commanded De Lacaze furious
ly, ''and get to business. What is her
father fortune in fgures?'
Gas yet, monsieur, 1 am unable to
afford you that information au juste
But am positive l can obtain it in q
few days. have at present cousin in
New York" -Desmoulin omitted to
state that the aforesaid cousin was pur-
suing the modest calling of lifting
trunks in a large caravansary on lower
Fifth avenue-"who weekly forwards
me package containing such informa-
ton. I will be able to give monsieur
his facts within ten days. Tho young
womans father is Justice of the su-
preme court and enjoys a modest for
tune. The young woman's mother is