The Butte inter mountain., 1903-12-23

sossed OF an ardent curiosity-perhaps al
ready dominated by a more serious ana
a deeper sentiment, but curiosity could
suffice for an excuse and explanation
Consider this resemblance, this antiquated
name-Sylvia. this obstnacy, not even
wishing TO listen to offers for piece oi
work the value OF which they evidently
knew. What riddles What an irritating
mystery
| found an admirable excuse, as ! knew
that to paint certain piece OF water-eolor,
| must install myself near the house oi
Sylvia. and would work all day very dill
gently The first day She appeared naughty
: OH recognizing me, then little by little she
became sociable. even coming so far as to
look at my work. | dared TO speak TO her,
and our acquaintance was begun.
She seemed daring and frank, like those
very honest girls. who do not seem TO
realize that i'll could bcfall them one OF
those women whom one regrets is not
man, because one feels what delightful
friendship one thus loses.
But it was decidedly more than friend
ship that ! felt for her. She had con
uucfed me from day 10 day from minute
10 minute conquered is the word To cN-
press a sensation engrossng. mastering
that at last leaves You but one free and
active idea.
one morning that never III my life shall
| forget. ! found her III the open air at the
corner Of the house. doing what women
call "a little washing IN tub OF light
foam was piled some white linen. She
plunged into this cream her nnble fingers,
and some Of the foam clung to her charm
ing arms She was thus 50 pretty, so
sweet. so irresistible. that at once | was
decided ! told her that | loved her. that
| vas at liberty in regard to my actions,
that withou, being rich, ! had enough to
live on Cat thai, time had only 10000
francs income-but il was at that timc)
thai | asked her TO become my wife
She listened at first little red, then
white. by an instructive movement She
had taken her hands from the water,
dried them on her apron and pulled down
her sleeves. Gradually her silence and in
tcutness troubled me. ! siammered:
Have augered you. Sylvia
No. on the contrary. you have not
anpered inc at all
! felt one does indeed iecl such things
that was not displeasing to her, and
believed she might love me.
80 she said slowly, you would marry
me. youI know who you are they have
told me abou, you--yoa would marry the
daughter of Couto0r--a n little lalndresS.
Size stretched oui 20 ne her fingers fresh
from the washing.
"Oh my friend how good you are but
this must end. Return 70 Paris, and do
not come here again. Before month,
promise to send YOU news Of me-
But what? 4 yes; a no; Sylvia, |
beg you
Promise me to 80 away.
| bowed she put her fingers to her lips
and disappeared into the house.
Three weeks later servant brought me
round case and a letter. ! opened the
letter first. and this is what | read
Monsieur Mile. dc la Ferte, daughter
Of the marquis Of this name and of Nine,
both deceased. has told me as her guar
dian and adviser. that you have bestowed
the honor on her of asking her hand III
marriage during her visit at the house
Of NJ. Contour-the old servant Of her
parents. and the father OF Ter old nurse.
| Aiter having looked up references in re-
! gard 10 you, duty my conscience and
responsibility imposed on me, ! am happy
TO be able to say that ! see only adyan-
tdScS lor my pupli dili IltHu, 10 SlcIu
at once to the plans you have discussed
with her.
"On my side, ! shall furnish you with
what information as TO the property OF
Mile. de la Ferie may be needed, landed
property as well as currency--a sum OF
about 1900, 900 francs
skipped the last lines and ran to the
signature: "Picot, notary
My God! !"
The servant had opened the case. and
there at the bottom, was pictured the
beautiful face OF the other Sylvia! On a
paper slipped in the frame were these
words, in pretty writing, strong and proud ::
II give you my great grandmother,
Sylvia am little jealous of her, since
YOU loved her before loving me-.
NJ. de Marans arose and opened the door
of the gallery.
| There is the Natter he tells lis. 1T
| is Of the great era and in perfect state
! Of preservation"