The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-01-13

the way jacques thought: "Whate fool
Pierre isl am sure his wife must be
ugly looking or i'll tempered! A widow,
he said-doubtless good schemer who
worked upon his 'naivetel' Oh, it's
enough to make one taught"
On their arrival Pierre presented
him.
"Mme. Durand. my friend. Jacques
Duvalp'
Jacques was all ready to salute her
coldly, but at sight of the pretty face
he saw before him his coldness vanish
ed, and he met her with compliment.
81 am delighted, madame!"
And in low voice to Pierre:
"You rascal, but she is charming"
Pierre excused himself for a moment.
81 leave you two together. Get &C.
quainted.
And Jacques was invited to come and
sit upon the divan by the side of the
mistress of the house.
At the end of ten minutes he was
completely won over. She talked to
him upon the subjects in which he was
most interested, as if she guessed his
tastes and preferences. She was most
charming listener, and suddenly he
found himself envying his friend fate.
''She is absolutely delightful, this
womanl What luck Pierre is inl All,
understand how for such a woman he
could renounce bachelorhood, and 1
have not the heart to wish''-
The dinner was delicious, and Jacques
had to admit to himself that he had
never had better appetite.
"You will come tomorrow, of
course" Nine. Durand said to him on
leaving.
"I?''
"Yes, tomorrow and every day. I
wish it,
"But''-
"You must; otherwise should re-
proach myself, for not for worlds would
be the cause of coldness in your rela-
tions with my husband"
And, as Jacques still hesitated, 81
wish it, +" she said and laid her white,
soft hand lightly on his.
$50 be it, Iobey," Jacques answered,
moved by this unexpected caress
An adorable smile rewarded him.
The next day Jacques returned, and
the next and every day of that week.
"Well, what do you think of my
wife?'' Pierre asked him when the two
were alone together in the shop.
"Ah, my friend, think her.
An expressive gesture completed the
!. sentence.
"Then you no longer disapprove?"
"Say rather I was q fool ever tc
blame you. If had been in your place,
p
, eft makes me very happy to know
you and my wife are congenial. Just
think how should have felt if you had
not liked each otherl I only hope il
may be lasting and that you may moi
change your opinion"
81 change my opinion about you,
wife? The more see of her the bette,
like her, my friend"
Heaven help youp' And, saying
J this, the rascal Pierre hid the same
enigmatical smile under his mustache
, That happened which was bound tc
| happen.
| Submitted daily to the same influence
entertained by the amiable conversation
, of his friends wife, touched by the
| marks of affection which she 1avishei
, upon him, flattered by the Importance
which she seemed to attach to hi
, slightest word, Jacques passed helpless
{ ly through all the gamut of sensations
| and suddenly-he had been home moi
quite two weeks-he recognized the
fatal truth-he was in love with Nine
Durand.
"Well, this is finep' cried the poo
man when he had looked clearly int
his own heart. "What must I do nowr
, Gas soon as the shop closes you will
II join me?" said Pierre.
, "No," answered Jacques; "don'
count upon me this evening""
"Why not?''
! Jacques tried to make an excuse, bu
it would not come. He hesitated, STAN
. mered, and, urged by the questions O
, his friend. he ended by bursting init
, tears and telling the truth:
"Ah, my friend, I am wretchl
love your wifeP'
every well, marry herp
"What?"
a "You idiot, do you think I shoul'
have submitted to such course if hat
not known where it would end? But i
I is not my wife that you know. Th
same day of your return she went int
the country, and am going to telegraph
her to return this evening. You will
4 like her, too, am sure, but, by tn
way, it is her sister with whom you ar
in love, and nothing hinders you fron
q marrying her,
"Ahr'
"Come, shake hands, brother-in
law Prom the French For Shor
t Stories