The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1899-01-25
HIS SWEETHEART.

oae evening, In q smart little cafe H.
the Champs Eiysees. two men sat sip
ping their absinthe and smoking. On
WAS an Italian. whose scrupuloVss care
IN the matter Of dress was In strtkins
contrast TO that of his companion, "a
Frenchman, who had the appearance
Of being n dweller In the Latin duers
ter. The Frenchman, who was ths
younger OF the two, leaned forward and
touched his friend on the arm.
4 have proposition-a problem--to
SET To you, Mattee.8
No confessions, beg of you, Pierre;
my absinthe is scarcely touched, and
your confessions. my dear friend, are
most distressing 10 one of my tempera-
ment.
1T Is nothing" said Pierre, Il just
want your advice. Surprising you
were In love with woman
Impossible, my dear Pierre. the sup
position you are starting with is i'm
possible"
We'll. surprising this woman you
loved went the way or other women,
ana confessed to you that, although
she loved you she Intended becoming
the wife OF wrlnkled. decreplt old
wretch whose banking account and
title alone raise him TO the dignity OF
a mana being from whom she
shrinlts every time be lifts her In his
arms and kisses her What would you
do, Matreo?'
1t depends. feIGe. how much You
love. Women are SO wicked Perhaps
they do not think 1t Is wrong to marry
man old enough TO be their father or
grand But you do. Pierre. and
al the bottom of my heart do Can
you wait Il year-perheps TWO years?
Then she may be free again TO marry
you
No. 3" said Pierre Il cant
The deuoe!" exclaimed Mstteo.
Then in awkward
Your right. MaUeo That's the
point I've reasoned il out to II is
awkward"
I might be better able to suggest
# you told me The w0man's name.
Yes perhaps you might" Pierre an
swered thoughffGl!y I'll be frank
with you. Fhe womaH is yoar sister.
Matteo. and love her.
During the pause which followed, an
ugly CLEAN came into the Italians
eyes
You love my sister, he said. slowly.
emphasizing each word. You. "a
Freaehman, an unknown painter that
Is droll II makes me lnugh. Hut my
sister Is not for you, you fool, snap
my fingers III your face
Tic Frcnohman rose, aud stepping
across To where hts asssilant was seat
cd. with the back Of his hand struck
him q heavy blow In the mouth
In moment the Italian was on his
feet. aud as the two men closed a bright
weapon flashed In tue Southerner's
hand But Pierre Was too quick, and
giasped his tredcherous opponents
wrist ughtly.
Then, exertlHg all his strength he
lung him into the corner OF the room,
where, with little groan. he fen heay-
i,y on the stiletto, which went deep
into hls side Immediately Il crimson
stain spread over the floor. and Pierre
stepped back aghast
Pierre" Matteo gasped. ! have
something to say TO you.
Pierre bent over him
Nearer still. he murmured tbs
hard-to talk.
piarra knelt down
What is it?' he asked
This, said Matteo. IA with last
erfort TO drew Pierre down to him.
aud Withdrawing the stiletto from his
side plunged It twice rapidly into his
opponents back
She Is not for you
A cruel smile Of Triumphant mocke!y
crossed the Italians face.
Then both men fell ha dead,
And a month later QUE of the live
Lest women In Paris d woman with
checks like sun kissed peaches. was led
10 the altar by a totteriug old man.
with features distorted by vice and
dissipation, and with one foot in the
grave II was Pierre'S sweetheart