Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1901-05-29
SANGEROT'S
TICKLE MEMORY

How II Brought JOY to . Stranger
and Pain to . Friend.


Nine. vermandoIs and her pretty
daughter Clotilde had Just seated them
selves before their embroidery frames
In the bright cozy little morning room
overlooking the garden when n. San
gerot entered the room like a rushing
wind not unusual for Sangerot, as
he was always in hurry, though,
frankly speaking. he was q gentleman
of elegant leisure and had absolutely
nothing to occupy him except the
agreeable task of collecting his divi-
dends. But he had mania of Great.
Ing for himself a multitude Of fictitious
obligations, which never left him free
for a moment. He breakfasted hur.
riedly, he dined hurriedly, and when
ever his acquaintauces accosted him
on the street they were invariably
greeted by the stereotyped phrase,
I'm sorry, my dear friend, but l
can't stop; haven't the time"
This harmless eccentricity, however,
would not have caused the slightest
Inconvenience to any one had not this
needless restlessness produced in the
otherwise excellent and well meaning
Sangerot frequent lapses Of memory,
particularly In regard to names and
addresses, which he seemed to forget
almost as soon as they were given and
which, In his perpetual hurry, he did
not take time to note in his memoran-
dun book.
"Ah, what happy chance brings you
here today, my dear HectorT said the
amiable Nine. Vermandols, as she
looked up from her embroidery and
greeted her brother-in-law.
1T Is not chance that brings me here,
my dear Hortense," breathlessly ex-
claimed Sangerot, but an affair Of the
first mportance-which shall tell you
In two parts"
mandois. pushing chair toward him.
Haven't the time, my dear; haven't
the time" said Sangerot, taking his
stand near the mantelpiece. Here it
ia nearly 2 O'clock" he added, glancing
hurrledly at his watch, "and by half
past / should be at the auction rooms,
where the furniture of a certain Com
tesse de Vertalure Is to be sold. I'M
derstand that she has a rare collection
of curios and bric-a-brac and odd little
knickknacks, picked up in her many
travels, and 1 wouldn't miss the auc-
ton for the world-not for the world,
my dear Clotllder'
Are you going to buy anything, my
dear Hector" quizzically inquired
Nine. vermandois.
Buy? Not the slightest idea Of pur-
chasing anything" hurriedly answered
Sangerot, 'but I must be there for a
very important reason, which 1t would
take me too long now to explain. All,
my little Clotilde," continued the effer-
Vescent Sangerot, addressing his niece,
'is not this the hour for your water
color lessonW
(which means, my dear uncle" said
Clotilde, rising from her chair, that
nm de trop, for the mysterious affair
which you have to communicate to
mamma" Then, looking at NJ. Sange-
rot with her extremely pretty eyes,
full OF roguish witchery, she asked II
the important affair were blond or
brunette with a mustache or beard,
and coquettlshly intimated that she
preferred mustaches only, and very
dark ones. And with a light, musical
laugh Mile. Clotllde hurried from the
room, quite convinced that her uncle
was about to propose a candidate for
her hand-and not in the least fright
cued at the prospect of matrimony
THE cunning little foxE exclaimed
Sangerot to Nine. Vermandois, as soon
as the door had closed after his pretty
niece. "She has actually defined the OBJ
ject of my visit! Well, I'm glad to