The evening Republican., 1902-05-20

Their life in common became diff.
cult and stormy. II madam had q
visitor she Immediately led the
guest to the bridge. In the sum-
mer she had an arm chair by it.,
and bored herself by the hour there
in order to annoy her husband.
The latter still refused to cross the
little stone arch. Like the athletes
Of Greece, he practised jumping.
Now be no longer made failure OF
it and leaped like chamois. II by
chance he happened to be with his
wife at the edge of the revulet, while
she Stood on the bridge, he sprang
back and forth, jumping 1t In differ-
ent ways. running or standing still,
with his feet together, or even on
one foot.
'What on earth are you jumping
SO for?" cried his wife, annoyed.
Pm just showing you how useful
your bridge is.' he replied sarcastic
cally.
When the Baron received visi.
tor who was not aware Of his en-
gineering disputes with the Baro.
ness he took him about the park.
made him jump the brook and
then delivered violent speech
about the stupidity Of that ridicu-
lous bridge; then when he had got
him 10 the state OF mind he wanted
him he invited him to stay Tor
dinner. At dinner. very insidlous.
~, lie the guest, falling into the
trap, would rail away about the
little bridge, and how it spoiled
the harmony Of the foliage and the
wafer, to the hearts content Of the
Baron. 1t would stop only when
the visitor perceived the severe,
cold face of Madame. and Monsieur
would rub his hands together de-
lighted at the success OF his strata
gem.
The guests were the most to be
pitied in these disputes. Invariably
the bridge was the subject of con
versation-the Bridge Of Battles, as
some one in the neighborhood had
named it-for it had heard more
storms that its Venetian prototype
had heard signs. Even the bravest
wisely turned conversation, not
wishing to be mixed up in it. But
one or other Of the irrascible pair
brought back the deserters at the
point of the sword. Whether they
wanted to or not, they had to give
their opinion for or against the
bridge. They must belong to one
camp or the other; they could not
remain neutral. There were some
who tried to tack.
Goodness, Madame" they would
say, Il don't say the bridge isn't
useful Then, as the eyebrows Of
the Baron contracted, they hastily
added, but perhaps"
The undecided used great many
"perhaps, " ut seems to me-" zone
might offer the objection" Il do not
wish to affirm anythng,' but they
succeeded only in arousing the disdain
of Nine. and NJ. de Tarbagnac, who
wanted vigorous allies and not irreso-
lutte phrases. Others changed their
opinion according as they needed the
support of the husband or the wife in
their own personal affairs. Ii there
was daughter to be married, they
declared the bridge magnificent and
indisputablv necessary, as the Baron
ess YasIa very successful matchmaker
If it was u question of boundary line
or the laws OF the chase, tile bridge
became at once Of a lagrant usefull-
hess ard of a very questionable taste.
as the Baron was not the most agree
able Of neighbors And when they
deserted in this camp to another they
were always sure of good welcome,
the husband or the wife being only
too glad to ses the adverse party
weakened
Even the servants took part in the
contest. Jean, the coachman. had
from the first day declared himself
directly opposed to the bridge He
was very lazy and Madame had had
the audacity to want him to make
him work ON it. Marianne, the cook
bad been at first OF the same opinion
but when Madame increased her
wages she immedi ately defended the
bridge on which she had formerly
exhausted her repertoire Of epithets
Monsieur was especially sensible Of
this desertou, for since then Mar
iannc no longer prepared his favorlte
dishes for him.
And the Bridge Of Battles still
spanncd the waters Of The tiny brook
ignorant Of the fierce tournaments
which were being wage5 10 its honor.
The battle lasted ten years with.
out truce or mercy. Age did not
calm the ardor OF the comba tants. |
who grew more bitter and said
mere aud more disagree BILE things
to each other as time went on. One |
day part OF the bridge fell. 1t had
been constructed IN haste TO satisfy
a domestic quarrel. The Baron
came back from il 10 the breakfast
table triumphant. II hope you
will leave it alone now he said to
his wife, for neither Of them took
The trouble TO designate more clear
Iy the construction which haunted
heir obstinate brains.
~ shall have it mended this very
day. she replied.
Indeed. you sha'n't."
II tell you. | will
Monster lost patience, to ok his
napkin and made the gesture--the
, ssture only-of throwing 1t across
he table IN Madame's face. Ma
lame had an attack Of Mysteries,
and- the bridge wac repaired.