Iron County register., 1899-04-13

among the persons who interest me
can only think of one-Nicette."
Nicette was one of his forty-second
cousins, a charming young girl of Is
| years, with fair tresses and large, black
eyes. Like himself she was an orphan
and this community of fate had long
| ago established bond of sympathy be.
tween them. His will was speedily
drawn up. He left everything to
Nicette.
When it was finished he drank a
second glass of champagne.
Poor Nicette," thought he. Her
| guardian, who knows little of the world
| except his class, which he teaches to
| play on brass instruments at the Con-
servatory, has bethought himself to
| promise her hand to brute, sort OF
bully, whom she detests, because she
loves another, as she has avowed to me,
although with reticence and an en-
barrassed air. Who is this happy NOR
tai? But he must be worthy of her,
since she has fixed her affection on
him. Good, gentle, comely and affec-
tionate Nicette deserves an ideal hus-
band. All. how well would she have
suited ME for wife. 1t is an Infamous
tyranny to spoil her life by giving her
to brute. But why should / not be
Nicette's champion? l have said it
now, and tomorrow morning I will be-
gin to act. But tomorrow morning it
will be too late. Now is the time to be-
gin, if at all. The hour is little NAL
a prOpos to see people, but as l shall
be dead in five hours l don't care a
sou for conventionalities Yes, I'll do
tiny life for Nicette.''
It was four o'clock in the morning
when Anatole rang the bell at the
house of Nicette's guardian, NJ. Bou-
sard. Badly frightened and wearing
his nightcap, he answered the door.
SIS the house on fire."
''No, my dear NJ. Bousard,'' replied
Anatole, 4 have come for chat
AT this hour?''
81 am at all hours pleased to see you:
but you are not dressed, NJ. Bousard.
Are you going back to bed again?'
That's what l am going to do. But
Il suppose, monsieur, that to disturb
me in this manner you must have some
thing very important to say to me-
every important, NJ. Bousard. 1t is
necessary that you give up your plan
of marrying my cousin Nicette to NJ.
Capendac."
'Never. monsieur, never"
But | say, yes
Monsieur, my resolution is taken.
The marriage will take place"
"It will not"
''We'll see about that. And now that
you are acquainted with my answer,
[ will detain you no longer
''That is not altogether polite. But
I am as go0d-natured as l am tenacious,
N. Bousard. / am not offended at your
procedure, and l Will remain"
''Remain if you like. 1 consider you
as gone, and I will not converse fur
ther with you"
And NJ. Bousard turned toward the
wall. grumbling: Did you ever see
the like; to disturb peaceful man, to
rouse him from his sleep, for the pur-
pose of listening to such nonsense"
Suddenly N. Bousard made bound
from his bed.
Anatole had taken up one of the
trombones of the professor, into which
he blew with might and main, madly
moving the slide. Internal sounds
were emitted by the instrument.
My cherished trombone, given me
by my pupils! Leave the instrument
alone, monsieur"
Monsieur" said Anatole, you con-
slider me as departed. L consider you
as absent, and 1 am amusing myself
while waiting for your return. Um-pa.
Um-pa! What dulcet melody"
You will cause me to receive notice
to leave the house. My neighbors will
not tolerate the trombone after mid
night
''Then all 1 can say is, they have no
love of music in their souls. Z-z-z-z!
Wow! Tootle-too! Um-pa! Um-pa!"
''Stop, for mercy's sake"
do YOU consent, them"
ITO what?''
''To give up the marriage?'
"But monsieur, 1 can't do it."
''Then, um-pa!"
IN. Capendac is a terrible man. If /
affront him thus he will kill me-"
"Does that reason influence you"
''Yes, and others besides"
I'm that case leave all to me. Only
swear to me that if l obtain the consent
of NJ. Capendac to the breaking of the
match my cousin shall be free"
"Yes, monsieur, she shall be free"
bravo. l have your word. Permit |
me to retire. But where does this Ca |
pendac live?"
Number 100, Rue des DeuX-Epees."
81 will go there. Good-by."
''As for you," thought NJ. Bousard, |
you are putting your head in the lions |
mouth, and you will be taught lesson
that you deserve to learn"
Meanwhile Anatole hastened to the |