The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1899-04-15
among the persons who interest me

among the persons who interest me l
can only think of one-Nicette."
Nicette was one of his forty-second
cousins. a charming young girl of 10
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
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 ia
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 we'll would she. have
suited me for wife. It is an infamous
tyranny to spoil her life by giving hel
to brute. But why should not be
Nicette's champion? I have said it
now, and tomorrow morning 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
propos to see people, but as shall
be dead in five hours I don't care a
sou for conventionalities. Yes, I'll do
tiny life for Nicette."
1t was four o'clock in the morning
when Anatole rang the bell at the
house of Nicette's guardian, M. Bou-
sard. Badly frightened and wearing
his nightcap, he answered the door.
"Is the house on fire?"
"No, my dear M. Bousard," replied
Anatole, II have come for chat"
"At this hour?''
II 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 I 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, M. Bousard. 1t is
necessary that you give up your plan
of marrying my cousin Nicette to M.
Capendac."
'Never, monsieur, never"
'But say, yes"
Monsieur, my resolution is taken.
The marriage will take place."
SIT will not"
"We1l see about that. And now that
you are acquainted with my answer,
I will detain you no longer"
"That is not altogether polite. But
am as good-natured as I am tenacious,
NJ. Bousard. am not offended at your
procedure, and will remain
Remain if you like. consider you
as gone, and I will not converse fur
Their with you"
And M. 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 M. 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. I 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"
''rhen all 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?"
ITO give up the marriage?"
"But monsieur, can't do it,"
"Then, um-pa!"
IN. Capendac is terrible man. If
affront him thus he will kill me-"
docs that reason influence you?"
Eyes, and others besides.''
"In that case leave all to me. Only
swear to me that if obtain the consent
of NJ. Capendac to the breaking of the
match my cousin shall be free"
Eyes, monsieur, she shall be free"
"Bravo. 1 have your word. Permit
me to retire. But where does this Ca
pendac live?"
Number 100, Rue des Deux-Epees.'
II will go there. Good-by."
GAS for you," thought M. Bousard,
''you are putting your head in the lions
mouth, and you will be taught lesson
that you deserve to learn"
Meanwhile Anatole fastened to the
address indicated. When he arrived
there it was six o'clock in the morning.
'"Ting-a-ling-a-ling."
"Who is there?" said deep voice
from within.
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