Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1899-05-23
LIFE'S HAZARDS.

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Marcel Delamarre was standing before
a mirror gravely engaged in b~uttoning his
collar when his valet de chambre pre-.
sented to him the mail, which the con.
cierge had just brought up. 1t is saying
too much to call it the mail, however.
There was only a letter, a single one, in o
black bordered envelope. Marcel careless.
~ tore 1T open and read half aloud:
You are invited to be present at the
funeral services and interment Of M, Bou.
darel, RENTER, died Saturday, Oct. 8, Rue
de Rivoli, 25, aged 81 years"
"Well, WE'LL" he exclaimed. "Pool Bou-
darrell To think I dined with him not q
week ago. He seemed to be perfectly we'll
then. He made his little jokes, told stories
so 1t goesF' Looking at his watch, he
added: 1.-THE ceremony is at II O'Clock. l
should have just time to get there. But,
then, l should be late for breakfast, and
that would do my stomach no good. After
all, II l should not go to this funeraly 7
scarcely knew him-Boudarel. / saw him
only two or three times a year at the din
ners of the Tout-a-la-joie, of which he
was a member. To be sure, we almost al.
ways found ourselves side by side at the
table, and by dessert we were almost on
the most familiar terms. He was q very
good fellowW
He went to the window and looked out
at the day. BURR! it is going to pour.
People should not be buried in such wealth.
or. Decidedly I shall not go!" But glanc.
ing at the cards again he saw that the serv-
Ices were to take place at the Church of
st. German lAuxerrois.
How fortunate" he exclaimed, "the
church st. German IAuxerrois is right
near where my nurseryman lives, whose
advice l wish to ask about my polonias! If
I take a carriage at once, I can kill two
birds with one stone."
Saying this, he rapidly finished dressing
and set out, carrying black gloves. At the
hour when Marcel received the letter in
question another person was opening 9
similar envelope. 1t was a widow, Nine.
Salman, who likewise hesitated about &C.
ceptiDg the funeral invitation.
"Boudarelf" she said, questioning her
memory. Where have known that mani
All, l remember he was an intimate friend
Of my Uncle Julesl Really, I believe I can
spare Myself-besides, my black hat Is far
from fresh. 1t is true that the ceremony is
to be at st. German IAuxerrois, that
would allow me to go to the Louvre to buy
some rice powder, and a veil at the same
time. l need a new veil dreadfully!
Marcel and Nine. Salman reached the
church at the same tbne-in fact, they
met at the door-and he drew back to let |
her pass. But she did not 60 inside. See
Ing that she had arrived too early and that
the funeral cortege was not yet there, she
preferred to wait In the vestibule. He did
likewise, and thus had an opportunity to
her. He noticed that she was
young and had a very good figure, exceed
lngly pretty eyes and soft, blond hair
framing a beautiful oval face. She, on her
side, perceived without appearing to that |
he was a gentleman of probably So or SO
years, that his glance was very penetrat-
Ing, his teeth very white and his mustache
very fne-in short, he pleased her SO much
the more because she felt that she also
pleased him, and that very much!
He wanted to speak to her. But how
and apropos of whatp The occasion which
sought presented itself very naturally.
The young woman In opening her purse
10 give two sous to a beggar let her kerr
,hief fall. Quick as lightning Marcel pick
I'd 1t up and handed 1t to her with a smile,
which gained an amiable acknowledge |
nent, Then he felt at liberty to say:
1T Is surely II O'Clock, is 1t not, ma
iamep I believe the carriages are late.
YES" she answered, "ten minutes
The conversation threatened to stop
here, for she had withdrawn a little. He
cit that, cost what 1t might, he must find
omething more to say In order not to lose
he benefit of the start already made. In
his emergency, having nothing better
lpon his lips, he launched this truly alb
urd reflection:
1t is sad to die In such weather. T.,
b ! shall 60 to my last sleep, would
Vish to have the beautiful sun shining.
Would you not, madamef"
Certainly, monsieur, !" she replied.
Encouraged by this response even IL 1t
vere ~laconic, and having now ound an
Interesting topic Of conversation, he con-
Besides, this poor Boudarel has never
q ohancei And, moreover, such an
xoellent mani Did you know him we'll,
1adamep"
mo, not well, but I know that he had
ome great qualities.
Eyes; a heart Of gold.".
"Ah, I can we'll believe TIA heart of
oldi"
And to think that he has been 90 uuick-
taken away from our affeCtioni For. in