Marietta daily leader. (Marietta, Ohio) 1895-1906, 1899-12-17
HER ONLY CHANCE.

unduhIutt OuG LOT Nuuf MIG. fulhilet
aud one Tor you, Mile Gabrielle.
They came with this white lilac from Nj.
Allard"
Madame put by her sac unopened. Eua
lie, a tall, well-built girl, with handsome,
regular features, dressed as richly as would
be becoming in demoiselle marier, opened
the one that bore her name daintily embroid
cred on it, took out sweet and then began
to arrange the lilac. Gabrielle found it diff
ficult TO unite the gold-stranded string
around the neck of the sac, and went to her
work basket at the other end of the room
for a knitting needle. There were signs Of
excitement in the agreeable but not pretty
face of the ;irl, who, indeed had nothing
but fine pair of eyes and look of good ma
ture to atone for heavy features, colorless
face and dull hair. Her short. rather SQUAD
figure was little aided by her somewhat un.
fashionable frock. A minute later she was
really pretty-for moment-as her eyes
eagerly gazed at a letter that she drew out
of the bag. She uttered a little cry and then
ran forward.
ooh, but look here, auntie look at thisl"
Suddenly an air Of dsmay came over her.
ut can't be for me, she continued; "it must
be for you, Eulalie."
The aunt read the letter, or, rather, note,
aloud:
Mademolseile: take this opportunity of
telling you what you must have guessed
that love you. 1t is my intention to make
a formal demand Of your hand in marriage.
However my long residence in England
has made me feel that l should not do so
without knowing whether the proposal
would be agreeable-I burst not put II high
er-to you. l know this is an unusual step
to take; you must ascribe 1t to my unusual
training. This afternoon, when l present
myself. trust you will give me some sign
whether you are willing l should ask the
question on which depends the happiness
of my life. Believe me, mademoiselle,
yours more passionately than 1t would be
becoming for me to say.
GEORGES ALLARD.
"0h, Gabrielle" cried both of the others,
"how strange, and how fortunate!" "And,"
madame continued, "he is far better pearl
than you could have dreamed of, and
charming fellow"
Your uncle" said Nine. Goudinet, will
be delighted, and suppose" she added.
quizzically, that the blush in your cheek,
Gabrielle, may be taken as a sign OF &C.
quiescence"
The blush burnt deeper.
Come" said Eulalie, while mamma is
talking to father about it III make you
look as smart as possible. 1--WE haven't too
much time, for l expect your"-and she
paused maliciously--" pretendu will be here
at five o'clock"
| At 4:45 o'clock NJ Allard was announced
The salon was half full of members of the
! Goudinet family, for it was the birthday of
| NJ Goudinet, as well as New Years day.
No one knew the secret, since NJ. Goudinet
determined to contrive a little poetic coupe
l. ~ 4 .E 4 L. 60, IL,
Everybody was whispering about the un.
wonted prettiness of Gabrielle. Eulalie had
not come down; she had taken so much time
arranging Gabrielle that she was late over
her own toilet.
NJ. Allard entered; good,lOoking fellow,
dressed in English style, with manly air
and a nervCus manner NJ. Goudinet ad.
vanced to the door and impressively
grasped his hand-"une bonne poignee de
main a PAnglaise."
"My friends" he said, turning round and
making a sweeping oratorical gesture with
his right hand, Il am going to give you
charming surprise, poetic emotion, not uR-
dramatic, a delightful instance of one OF
the good qualities of sister nation"
my friends" continued NJ. Goudinet, in
his most senatorial manner, IN. Allard
has to-day made demand of marriage
in the most delightful style, and it is with
the utmost pleasure that Nine. Goudinet
and accede to his request"
The radiant look in the young mans face
was delightful to see. The girl leaned
against her aunt for support.
Come here, my DEAR" called NJ. Goudi.
net; come here"
Nine Goudinet led her forward.
For the first time during the scene NJ. Al
lard saw her. In second his eyes searched
the whole room The color fled from his
face; he gaZed at the girl as if he were a man
gazing at death.
IN. Allard, my dear nephew" said NJ.
Goudinet, joining the hands Of the two
young people, "embrassez votre iancee."
There was long pause-thrillingly long.
The man was gazing at the girls face,
strange look in his. She raised her eyes, the
beautiful eyes, her one charm, eyes then
brilliant with happiness and affection. He
bent forward to kiss her forehead. Sudden
ly she started, giving a cry of pain.
"Oh, you have hurt my hand, monsieur;
you have pressed it so hard!"
He tried to stammer an excuse. Her eyes
were fixed on his face. Ere he had uttered
two words she interrupted
IN. Allard, was there no mistake? Was
the letter in the right sac! Was it meant
for me"
He gasped and suffered.
"What does this meant" asked NJ. Goudi.
net
"Uucle, it means there Is mistake. ! saw
in his eyes that he does not love me-"
What does this mean" said NJ Goudi
net, sharply, to the young man.
There was a mistake" said the young
man, mournfully. Goodness knows how it
happened! The letter was meant for your
daughter"
well, but" interposed Goudinet.
But" continued the young man, with
dignity, when | saw what mistake there
was, and the fault was mine; when guessed,
too, | hope fatuously, that Mile. Gabrielle
had some liking for me, and knew she was
willing to accept me, determined, as true
Frenchman, to take the happiness offered to
me, even if it were not that which sought,
and carry the secret Of my mistake to the
grave"
Everybody was profoundly moved-the
ladies, all of them, to tears.
Il am still ready" said the young man,
with trembling voice. but Gabrielle inter
rupted him.
81 know what lose" said the poor girl,
the words forcing themselves painfully from
her; but | will not be ungenerous. As
NJ. Allard does not love me, | will not be
his wife, since be seeks love in marriage"
NJ. Goudinet had been whispering to his
wife Once more came an orstorical wave
Of the right arm
"My friends" he said. At that moment
the door was opened and Eulalie came in.
"Aly friends, M. Allard has just shown
himself a Frenchman with all the grand
old traditions OF our race. | had sspired