The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1901-02-13
A CONFIRMED BACHELOR
How tho Scofer Was Trebly
Rewarded.

Edmond dc Verneuil had thrown him.
so.f into IN easy chair with his Chi
bouk and, through the wreaths of
smoke ascending from the fragrant
weed, sat staring In establishment at
his friend. I-onls DG7.:7T::=T. Neither OF
the men had spoken for some moments.
At last De Verneuil said, with O with.
ering look Of pity:
And SO you have really determined
to throw yourself into the matrimonial
sea. Poor, unfortunate man! had
hoped better things for you"
Thanks" replied Duvivier sharply.
Your compliment at least possesses
the merit Of not being banal. an
nounce to you my approaching mar.
riage with q charming girl whom I
adore, and you have nothing to offer
but lamentations"
my friend" said De verneuii, plac-
ing his pipe on the inlaid taboret be-
side him, 81 never play the hypocrite.
1t is part have always eschewed,
and upon such sofrowful announce.
ment can only offer my most sincere
condolence."
Duvivier looked somewhat annoyed
as he listened, but the shadow of imna-
tence soon passed away, and he de-
scrbed in glowing terms the beauty of
his young f1ancee, Mile. Helene De-
schamps.
$50 much the worse" said the crusty
bachelor. "Your case, which ut first
seemed only dangerous, is now incura-
ble and your happiness. which appear
ed probable, ia now no longer possible.
To have pretty wife, sir, is to be de-
youred by Jealousy"
"aa1Me. Dcscia;Hrs IS wealthy and
possesses fortune In her own right"
calmly observed Duvivier without
commenting on his friends remarks.
Then. with her luxurious and ex-
pensive tastes, she will simply ruin
you, my dear fellow" retorted De Yer
neui.
But Louis Duvivier did not intend
to be disturbed by Edmond de Ver-
nenl's bitter comments and followed
the announcement Of his 6ancee's
wealth by declaring that her mamma
was charming.
'Then you will have that bette noIre,
mother-in-iaw," growlcd De verneuil.
Your ruin Is complete, old fellow, and
haven't the slightest hope for YOU"
Duvivier laughed good nnturedly and
assured De Verneuil that, ,notwithstand-
ing his paradoxes, he expected him to
be present Mt the wedding and to act as
groomsman. "You are ny oldest and
best friend, Eilmond," said he coax
ingly, "and for these reasons you ought
not to refuse my request"
"And precisely for these reasons
must Decline" tartly responded De
Ferneull. 'for should feel as though
l were assisting ut your electrocution.'
"Then if you will not consent to act
as best man." said Duvivier, with
genuine disappointment, promise a-
least to be present at the wedding"
DE Ferneuil looked at him for a mo-
ment without answering. He was real
~ fond of Louis Duvivier. and their
friendship had been one Of long stand.
Ing. He disliked to appear unciyii, SO
finally he said. well, perhaps, but do
not count on my coming"
"Decldedly!' exclaimed Duviyicr. n
little yexed. "You are still IN antago.
MIST to matrimony."
'Irrevocably," was the laconic an
swer Of De verneuil.
"Then you never intend to marry ?'
asked Duvivier.
Il should prefer to send a bullet
through my brain," promptly answered
De Verneuil. ,"Expeditious means are
preferable to slow ones." he added EN-.
phatically.
"Then you propose to remain always
In solitary. bllss?" said Dnv!-.er laugh.
ingly.
Pardon me-" said De vernsuil, stop
ping to I'LL his pipe. "you sbnu,d say in
dependent bliss. From wife, children
and family may heaven preserve me!
for Wife," he continued. waxing elo-
quent, means loss OF liberty and the
obligation Of following her caprices in.
stead Of your own. You must go out
when ycU desire to remain In and re.
main In when you wish to go out. At
tabie you must eat madame's dishes
:hsteai OF those you prefer yourself,
listen with an interested mir to lot OF
insipid gossip plentlfully sprinkled with
the latest hints In the fashions of bon.
nets and hats and meekly receive re.
pronches. recriminations and jealous
suspicion. And children! why, my
dear Louis. the very sight of nm infant
brings on an nttack of!nd!gestion: And
When they grow up, if they are boys,
they devour your money by getting in.
to all kinds OF scrapes. and if they are
girls they must be lowered before
they can be got RID OF. So. with Cyra.
no. say. Mo. thank your And then
that other delightful appeDdaga OF mat
rlmony, mother-in-lawl Why, tie
very thought Of her makes me shudder.
Now you have in nutshell. my dear
boy. the wise reasons which prevent
me from committing the folly Of matrl-
mony. And with a dellciously self salts
ned air the sage. crusty bachelor sank
into the hollow of his easy chair and,
pulling away at his pipe, waited to hear.
what his friend had to say.
but Dusivier remained silent, a@l
the cheerful expression OH his bright.
handsome face clearly indicated that
NU.<-