El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-02-27
HER ONLY CHANCE
How a Frenchman Preserved the
Traditions of the French
Race.

30. 90 as.%3s9s9.a@.ee@3@9H9
Three sacks of bonbons-one for
you, madame; one for you. Mile Eu-
laIie. and one for you, Mile. Gabrielle.
They came with this white lilac from
II. Allard.''
Madame put by her sack unopened.
Eulalie, a tall, well built girl, with
handsome, regular features, dressed as
richly as would be becoming in de-
mOiselle a marier, opened the one that
bore her name daintily embroidered on
1t, took out n sweet, and then began to
arrange the lilac Gabrielle found it
difficult to unite the gold stranded
string around the neck of the sack and
went to her workbasket at the other
end of the room for Il knitting needle
There were signs of excitement in the
agreeable but not pretty face of the
girl. who indeed had nothing but fine
pair of eyes and look of good nature
to atone for heavy features, cOlorless
face and dull hair. Her short, rather
squat figure was little aided by her
somewhat questionable frock.
minute later she was really pretty
for 4 moment-as her eyes eagerly gaz-
ed at letter that she drew out of the
bag She uttered n little cry. and then
ran forward
.'Oh. but look here, auntie; look at
thisr' Suddenly an air of dismay
came over her. 1T can't be for me-"
she continued. '.It must be for you,
Eulalie.''
The aunt read the letter. or rather
note. aloud:
Nademoiselle-I 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 resi-
dence in England has made me feel that should
do so without knowing whether the proposal
would be agreeable burst not put it higher-to
you i know this is unusual step to take You
must ascribe it to my unusual training This
afternoon, when present myself, trust you will
give sign whether you willing 1
should ask the question on which depends the
happiness OF my life Believe me, mademoiselle,
yours passionately than it would be becom-
ing for say, GEORGES ALLARD.
oh, Gabrielle cried both of the
others, how strange and how fortu-
mater And" madame continued, he
is a far better party than you could
have dreamed of and Il charming fell
low
But it must have been meant for
Eulalie.''
All three examined the sacks, and
Gabrielle examined her heart as well.
Certainly there was no mistake about
the heart; apparently none about the
sacks.
Your uncle said Nine. Goudinet,
will be delighted, and l suppose" she
added Quzzically, that the blush in
your cheek, Gabrielle, may be taken as
a sign of acquiescence.'
The blush burned deeper.
Come said Eulalie ''While man.
ma is talking to father about it I'll
make you look as smart as possible.
We haven't too much time. for l expect
yOur"-and she paused maliciously-
pretended will be here at o'clock"
At 4:45 o'clock NJ. Allard was an
nOunced. 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 deter
mined to contrive little poetic coup
de theatre for the benefit of the fam
lily Everybody was whispering about
the unwonted prettiness of Gabrielle.
Eulalie had not come down; she had
taken so much time arranging Gabri-
ellie that she was late over her own
toilet.
VI. Allard entered n good looking
fellow. dressed in English style, with ii
manly air and Il nervous manner. NJ.
Goudinet advanced to the door i'm
pressively and graSped his hand-''une
bonnie poignee de main a PAnglaise."
MY friends he said, turning round
and making a sweeping Oratorical ges-
ture with his right hand. II am going
to give you n charming surprise. Il
poetic emotion, not undramatic, a de-
Hghtful instance of one of the good
qualities of a sister nation.
My friends" continued NJ. Goudinet
in his most senatorial manner, an. AL
lard has today made n demand of mar
riage in the most delightful style. and
it is with the utmost pleasure that
Nine. Goudinet and l accede to his re-
quest"
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.
<Ioudinet. Come here"
Nine. Goudinet led her forward.
For the first time during the scene
II. Alard saw her. In a second his
eyes searched the whole room. The
color fed from his face. He gaZed at
the girl as if he were Il man gazing at
death.
m. Allard. my dear nephew" said
N. Goudinet, joining the hands of the
two young people. "Embrassez votre
fiancee'
There was a long pause, thriilingly