The representative., 1899-11-16

A worthy man who, with his family, re-
sides in Paris, received a letter from his
nephew, who was at that time trader IN
Hyderabad. The latter terminated thus:
II have received the portraits OF my cou-
sins, Mary and Margaret. whom have
never had the pleasure OF, seeing, having
been since my infancy a resident OF Hy-
derbad 1 shall arrive ut Havre In the
brig Quos Ego, about the hrst OF OCTOBER,
and with your consent shall marry my
beautiful cousin Mar
The remainder of the name having been
written under the seal had been torn OF
and destroyed in opening the letter. 30
that 1t was impossible to ascertain wheth-
er the nephew had chosen Mary or Mar
garet.
A mutual coolness and jealousy now
sprang up between the sisters, who had
hitherto lived in the most aflectionate har-
mony. Each believed that hers was the
name mentioned In the letter.
At length q courier arrived from Havre
| and announced that his master would be
in Paris next day. The servant was over
whelmed with questions, to which he re-
piled that his master had been ruined, and
| that he was afiicted with protuber-
| ance of the left shoulder. similar to that
! which had caused all the misfortunes of
Aesop. the Phrygian.
Both sisters voted that they would re-
main maids forever rather than wed
hunchbacked and penniless cousin.
The cousin arrived. The father embraced
| him cordially; the daughters curtseyed
| prettily and turned away their eyes. The
father explained the accident that had be-
fallen the letter, and inquired Of his nephew
the object of his choice. u.
my cousin Mary" answered the nephew.
Never. never" exclaimed Mary. Il am
satisfied with my condition. and shall not
change it,
"Mademoiselle' said the nephew, II have
adopted the habits of the country, of which
am all but native. Read the man
| ners and customs in Hyedrabad, and you
will see that in that country, when young
mans proposals of marriage are rejected,
he withdraws himself from society as a
useless member and"
"Kils himself exclaimed the other sis
ter the good natured Margaret.
Kills himself" repeated the nephew, in
the tone of a man about to commit suicide
my poor cousin!" murmurs Margaret
with tears in her eyes. He has come SC
far to meet death in the bosom of his fam
ily!'
Il know continued the nephew, "tha'
my deformity is offensive to the eye o
woman, but time can accustom even the
eye of woman to ugliness; am also aware
that my position as a merchant is not tht
best. Engaged from early youth in thu
diamond trade-the only trade carried OF
in Hyderabad-I have lost all my father
property, but I have gained experience.
am young, active Industrious; these quail
ties are riches in themselves"
''Yes, -hunchbacked and penniless,
murmured Mary in mocking- voice aside
Poor young mani" said Margaret, ant
then added. II also have been refused
cousin, but you don't seem to mind that.
Refused! and by whom?" asked tn
cousin.
"why, by yourself, in preferring my sis
ter to me-"
"Well," replied the cousin, t'what will
you say if ask your father for you?"
II shall entreat my father to let m,
cousin live!"
What! you consent, my pretty Mar
. garrett" exclaimed the hunchback.
, ITO save relations life 1 cannot hesi
tate moment"
VERY good, my daughter" said the father
touched by the scene. Il perceive that r0
. mances have not spoiled you. I have yer
limited income, but l cannot forsake m
brothers son in his distress. l will kee
! him here as my son-in-law. If there i
I ell ugh for three there is also enough 70
four"
"Unc1e,' said the nephew, with you
, permission I will retire to arrange m
| toilet a little before luncheon.
He kissed Margaret's hand, bowed t
,, | Mary, and withdrew to change his travelin
! dress. -
The uncle and his two daughters place
.. | themselves at the table, and awaited th
guest who was soon announced by th
| servant. Both sisters uttered a cry
: surprise, but in different keys. They behel
young gentleman of slender and sym
| metrical form enter the room. He advance
and embraced Margaret. Placing before he
: a beautiful basket he said There is you
, | dower!"
The basket was filled with diamonds.
''It is also the hunch which has deceive
the custom house officers, and arrived her
D free of duty. This" added the nephew {"
0 what have carried on my shoulders frol
t Bombay to Havre, for the purpose of offe1
e ing it to the fair cousin who was willin
Q to accept me with my pretended povert
d and deformity!"-London Evening News.