El Paso daily herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1881-1901, 1900-09-03
! ELAINE'S CHOICE

I O-s-O-s-O-s-O-e-O-e-Os-O C-eO-rOe-O-e'O'~O'~O
was Elaine du Rockers guardian. At
! the age of S she had lost both her par
ents. Her health was delicate, and
! thought the best thing 20 do for her was
to put her in a convent school in the
country. One morning, however, L re-
ceived the following astonishing letter:
! Ny Dear Guardian-f am bored After mature
! reflection l find that not cut out for re-
Hgious Kindly find me husband as soon
possible. Your grateful and devoted
1t does not seem hard to find a candi-
date for the hand of a young and charm
/ ing heiress.
! I presented quite a number of men to
| her-nice fellows, too; but none suited
her. Summer was passing. and each
week Elaine sent me n card with the
words, II am bored"
Things were at this point when my old
friend, the curate of Redon, spoke to me
of the Marquise de Pen-valloet and her
two sons-old family, distinguished
name, good connections, respectable for
tune. / proposed to Elaine to spend n
few weeks with my wife at Trouville.
She joyfully accepted.
ION the way" said /, I'VE will stop at
one of my clients, the Marquise de Pen
Valloet.'
The marquise resided on a large es-
tate some miles from Redon. 1 had been
| told of her strictly economical way OF
living, so l was not surprised to find
awaiting at the station an old rattle
| trap OF n carriage, which smelled so
musty that as we started to get in Elaine
recoiled.
Suppose we ride outside; I should en-
| joy the fresh air.
Don't be afraid, sir" said the coach
man, offering me his strong hand and
helping me 10 mount quite easily.
| Elaine seemed no more than a feather
| In his strong grasp. Before l was seated
| she was beside me, radiant and happy as
| a lark.
"You will be afraid" said 1. measuring
the distance from our perch to the
ground
Afraid. You don't know me. You
| will cry quarter before / do. Now, driv-
| er, quick, quick, quick"
The man smiled rather sarcastically,
thought.
He gathered up his reins and started
his team. Heavens, what a race! My
blood curdles at the thought of it. Elaine
clapped her hands and melted the pleased
coachman to redoubled efforts l held on
with might and main, prepared to jump
at the expected crash.
A handsome. refined looking young
man of medium height met us and assist
ed us to alight.
The Marquise de Pen-Valloet received
us in the large. gloomy drawing room.
She greeted US graciously and herself
led us to our apartments.
My son Rene" she said, designating
the handsome young man who had first
received us.
Dinner was ready When Elaine
appeared, she looked queenly beautiful.
Rene met her at the door with some COM
pliment which did not displease her.
Just then another guest entered-a man
of about 80. tall and with a strong face.
SaiutinG US. he took the empty place OPP
positc the Marquise de Pen-Nalloet-
MY oldest son, Marquis Horace de
Pen-N alloet," she said, presenting him,
adding, Late. as usual
lyon know why, mother" he answered
coldly-
"Weli?' said when we were alone.
She stifled a yawn.
Let us go to bed. I am tired to
DEATH
Not until you have told me your i'm
preston of the two candidates"
1.-The younger is handsome; ne has a
pretty voice and dresses well. That is all
l know so far
THE other? Why, he hasn's n SOU
He doesn't count as a match. guardie.
dear"
''True. 1 always thought you. were a
sensible girl
Next morning it was late when
awoke.
/ had hardly finished my toilet before
Elaine, fresh and bright as the morning,
knocked Cor admittance.
what, up already"
Already, Why, 1 have had. o long
walk through the dewy woods. It was
exquisite
"AloneT'
"Oh, no! made sure of an escort last
night
"Ah, ani So things are yporkineY'
"Splendidly, my dear guardian. Open
your ears. 1 have decided to marry
Handsome Rene?" said /, rubbing my
hands.
''No- I am going to marry the coach
man who drove well yesterday. As
soon as / placed 10Y hands in his knew
he was a man n woman could trust But
here he is to tell you that you are not
dreaming"
She opened the door, ana. Horace de
Pen-Valloet entered
MYSELF he said, smiling at my as
constituent My story is not long, but
rather unusual. l wanted to be a SOL
der. My mother objected. ! obeyed
aer, but the spirit of adventure possessed
me. AS soon as 1 was Of age / started
On n trip around the world. My mother
told yen that i spent my fortune and
part % hers. 1 dare say 1 committed
my share OF follies. When my means
were exhausted, / returned home. Tho
fatted calf was not killed in my honor.
On the contrary. i had to put up with re-
proaehes, complaints and taunts. What
was i to do? Incapable OF earning my
living. exasperated at hearing myself re-
preached for eating the bread of idleness,