Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1902-01-10
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Mime. VcrmandoiS and her pretty
daughter CIotiide ha1 asst seated them
selves before their embroidery frames
In the bright. coy liule morning room
overlooking the garden when NJ. San
gerot entered the room like a rushing
wind - not unusual for Sangerot, as
he was always in hurry, though.
frankly speaking he vas a gentleman
OF elegant leisure and lad absolutely
nothing TO occupy I'm except the
agreeable task of collecting his divi-
dends- But he had mania Of Great
Ing for himself multitude Of fictitious
obligations. which never left him free
for a moment. He hrcakfasted hur-
riedly, be dined hurIiedly, and when
ever his acquaintance accosted him
on the street they we're invariably
greeted by the stereo:yped phrase,
I'm sorry. my dear friend, but
can't stop: haven't the time"
This harmless ecceulricity. 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 wDre 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 UectorT said the
amiable Nine. Vermaulois, as she
looked mp from her ON roidery and
greeted her brotherin-law.
at is not chance that brings me here,
my dear Hortense," breathlessly ex-
claimed Sangcrot, but an affair Of the
first Importance which shall tell you
In two parts"
"Sit down at least" said Nine. Yer
mandois. pushing Il chair toward him.
Haven't the time. my drar; haven't
the time" said Sangerot taking his
stand near the mantelpiecp. Here 1t
is nearly > O'Clock" be added, CHANGING
burriedly at his watch. aud by half
past should be at the auction rooms,
where the furniture OF Il certain Com.
Jesse de Nertalure is 20 be- sold. un.
derstand that she has n rare collection
OF curios and bric-a-brac ard odd little
knIckknacks. picked up in her many
travels. and | wouldn't MISS the auc-
tion for the World-uot for The world.
my dear Clotilde!'
"Are you going to buy ANYTHING. my
dear Hector" quzzicaly inquired
Nine. Nermaudois.
Buy? Not the slightest idea OF pur-
chasing anything" hurrejly answered
Sangcrot. "but must be- tl're for a
very important reason. which Il would
take me too long now 20 explain. All.
my little Clotilde." continued The effer-
vescent Sangcrot. addrcssu- lis niece,
sis not this the hour for your water
color lesson
(Which means. my dear UNCLE" said
Clotilde. rising from her cbl' that |
am dc trop, for the mysterious affair
which you have TO communicate to
mamma" Then looking al ~ Sange-
rot with her extremely prjty eyes,
full Of roruish witchcry ste asked If
the important affair were blond or
brunette with mustachc Ur beard.
and coquettlshly intimated that she
preferred mustaches only nd very
dark ones. And with light. musical
laugh Mile. ClOtlde hurried rom the
room. quite convinced that her uncle
was about TO propose a candidate for
her hand-and not In the least fright
ened at the prospect of matrimony.
"The cunning little fox" 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 visitl Well, I'm glad to