Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1903-12-25
SeekinS
"A Home

TO anybody, and L don't mention the
fact in order to ask your pity on
his behalf, because his intended was
a charming girl. Her name was
Andree-delightful namel She was
blond-agreeable color. She was
twenty years and seven months old
attractive age. She belonged to
a family that was worthy of all re-
spect, fact to be considered.
That rogue Anatole! He knew
the young girl was in love with him
-madly in love with him. Had she
not confessed to him that she would
die rather than marry another? /
know well that these things are Of
ten said and rarely executed. But
In this case, although Andree was a
blond, she was the owner of an en-
ergetic and decided character. When
she said things like this her blue
eyes darted terrible lightnings.
Doubtless it was this strong tenn
permanent that prevented her par
ents from making any objections
and placing any obstacles in her
way. There was no good talking to
Andree.
"You know, mamma" she had re-
peated again and again, 81 want
this matter to be finished quickly"
"But, my dear child, there are
certain delays and certain formali-
ties
"The delays can be hurried"
SThat is true"
Sand the formalities can be SIM
plifed."
81 have no objections, dear, if it
will give you pleasure"
"Then, mamma, let US consider
the engagement as settled"
Settled! Your lover has only
exchanged very few words with
your father"
~You know that my father does
what you wish"
my daughter, you exaggerate."
cit is understood. Let us waste
no more time discussing it. / shall
be married on the 10th of next
month"
1--WE shall see."
"Not the 18th; the 10th. 1t falls
on Saturday, 1 have already look
ed in the almanac"
"You have thought of every
thing"
Pm thinking only of him"
"Well, he is happy man to be
able to inspire such an affection"
when you were married didn't
you have the same feeling~
"The very same, my child. But
perhaps my thermometer-that is,
the register Of my feelings-was not
quite so high as yours is"
"Well, now, mamma, let us start
the campaign"
"Start the campaign? What do
you mean?"
"Find an apartment"
els impossible ?"
"You do not wish US to live in
the street, / supposeP"
mo, but
F.. Tomorrow morning, then, we
will start out"
"The"-
Tomorrow, directly after break
fast, for apartments are sometimes
difficult to find. Now, mamma, let
me give you a kiss. You are so
good"
She spoke the truth. Her moth
er was an excellent creature, and
Anatole Pluchin was-well, his
mother, her future mother-in-law,
was of the kind that are nowadays
seldom to be found.
The day following at the APP
pointed hour Andree was ready to
attack Paris and ransack it from
end to end in her endeavors to find
the nest-that is, the apartments
Of her dreams. Her valiant mother
was prepared to accompany her.
The poor old woman had burned
her throat with her coffee and had
nearly choked herself over the sugar
at the bottom of the cup.
Forward, march," cried the ioy-
Gus voice of Andree.
Young and inexperienced, she lit
tie knew what a terrible thing it is
to hunt for rooms in Paris, to climb
up dozens and dozens of steps and
to undergo the searching question
ing OF jealous concierges and indis-
Greet portieres.
After an hour and half of this
exercise the unfortunate girl was
exhausted And her mother! She
followed her daughter, putting like
a grampus and dragging her legs
after her as if they were logs of
heavy timber. "Ouf! Duff OUR
Then at length, mamma, look at
that pretty housew
$50 it is"
"With view from the back win
dows over the gardens"
"And q sign OUT
Precisely. Apartment to Let.
Inquire Within"
"Let us ask the price. I have an
idea that it will be just the thing"
The price was just what the girl
had Judged reasonable for herself
and her future husband.
LET us 60 upstairsw cried An.
aree; who was delighted, eve can
see over 1t, can we notT' sne asked
the concierge.
Certainly, mademoiselle."
'Is any one living here now?"
asked the mother.
"Yes, madame"
"WhoW
There was seconds almost i'm
perceptible hesitation on the part
OF the concierge.
"A young widow. madame"
"Ahp remarked the mother.
"And doubtless she wishes to leave
house that has painful memories
for her."
A tashily dressed girl opened the
door in answer to their ring.