The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1904-09-18
A N INVITATION \
~ FROM THE GENERAL
And the Trouble II Caused Young
Married Couple Who Lived
IN the Country.
From TIE Frtneh.


the maid, looking doubtfully at her master.
Never mind, it's time she did, and
the impatient husband cattered up the
long stairs.
How In the world, thought Julie, watch
ing him ascend, did a woman like my
| mistress ever marry man like Monsieur?
And how came Monsieur to choose lady
like Madame?"
| The law Of the attraction Of opposites had
certainly had much to do with the mar
rage of George d'Ardize and Suzette de
| Belleuse.
my son." all the old ladies Of the coun-
| tryside had said to him, when you ma rry
| be sure and select clever, intelligent GIRL
| interested In the country and all the ways
| of its improvements, and a good COOK and
housewife. In fact, the worthy wife OF the
Scriptures. Let us know and we Will PICK
one out for you
But George had chosen witho ut con-
sulting his mentors. After several months
spent In Paris, he had returned TO the coun-
try married man, to the great disappoint-
ment Of several who considered themselves
just the wife he would need.
In common with the type George had been
advised to marry. Young, extremely
pretty. playful and oapricious, with no
more idea Of the hardships Of life than a
well fed kitten, Suzette danced through
the years as butterfly in the sunshine.
Deeply in love with her gray haired
husband, she enjoyed their solitary life
in the country, proving even more OF
recluse than George and refusing INVITA-
ton after invitation to the houses OF the
country residents.
These people bore me-" she said with
pretty pout. For PHYS sake do let US
| stay at home
But she went out enough for the old
matrons to hold up their hands in hor-
ror and look pityingly at George.
aHow could he have chosen her'' was the
question in every mouth
"suzette, dearest, here is your mail" -.
-What-why-oh it is you, George, "
she replied sleepily, to her husbands morn
'Soon' 1t rs II, lazy one. I have been up
since g."
Il thought So" Suzette answered, yawn-
ing And you have been out IN the barn
am9ng the IN horse e,;t have mhs you not'
Because there is a delicate reminder, a
perfume to be polite, that fingers in your
clothes!'
George laughed frankly.
Here, read this it looks like blll, ne
said, tossing a large envelope upon the bed.
How lovely murmured his wife, tearing
open the envelope. 1t is from Gen. d 'Arcy,
inviting us to a ball; How nice OF him to
have remembered usl"
| Exceedingly hllu ColllCS hho"o " :
will not drive fifteen miles in the dead OF
winter to mere ball :,
George, you do not imagine that shall
why, ,you surely are not thinking Of
YES, 1 am; want to dreadfully. Please
be good, George
But you will catch your death Of cold'
dearest"
what IL 1t should rain?'
4Then the coachman can wear his rubber
coat and put on the horses coverings. The
carriage will not melt.
! But what II there should be two feet OF
snow on the ground?"
! 1T Is just as likely as that there should
be an earthquake or a tidal wave. OF course
then we should not CO. Oh, George. be a
dear and say that we may go!' Suzette g
lip quivered.
With a muttered imprecation on the head
of the unoffending General, George took
her in his arms and whispered consent.
It was an absorbing week which fol-
lowed. Nine. Ardize with jules help,
a gown, tried on her diamonds at least
twenty different times, wrote to Nice for
some roses to wear countermanded the
order and chose violets. and at the last
moment telegraphed for the roses again.
grew tired, cross ard nervous; while George,
equally nervous and provoked at having
Yielded, prayed to heaven for assistance
at the eleventh hour and spent his time
watching the barometer.
At last the morning OF the eventful day
dawned, dark and cloudy.
Sign of splendid weather by night, I"
Suzette asserted, defiantly.
At noon it began to rain drzzlingly.
"A cearing-up shower" repeated the
the rain continued, she took the bit be-
tween her teeth.
thunder, as it pleases, Ny dress is ready
and I'm going SO there!'
George said nothing.
| Seated in one corner Of the warm, snug
coupe, Nine. d'Ardize thrilled with pleas
ure. But her Joy was not shared. Her hus-
band sat beside her in sulky silence, watch
ing the raindrops run in glittering rivulets
on the glass of the windows.
HE detests me at present" thought su-
zette. He positively hates me. Gracious,
that was one Of the horses coughing.
hope George did not hear him. l shall not
say a word until we are nearly there. Then
il he is not more agreea BILE | shall show him
that there are others who are. How sweet
my roses smell. Oh wish George was
more sociable! This isn't nice at all,
Suddenly the carriage stopped. Seeing
her husband remain motionless, Suzette
hastily put down the glass.
1t is impossible to go ahead, Madame.
the coachman replied in answer to her in
quiries, there is large branch directly
"Oh, try it, you will find you can cross
It., said Suzette. easily.
Exasperated, George jumped out of the
carriage, regardless OF his polished pumps
and, Selling the obstacle, threw it to one
side.
There. will that satisfy your he de-
manded. returning to his seat.
-Oh. George, you are all wet! Why did you
act so? You will be sure to catch cold, and
your cuffs and shirt are ruined. You are
not even presentahle.'
"yery well. will spend the night in the
dressing room, replied her husband coldly
At length beneath a pouring rain, with
the coachman swearing George still seated
in silence and Suzette scarcely able to re-
strain her tears, the carriage drew up before
the door of the Generals house.
The windows were dark and deserted.
The street was empty.
Here, open the gate yelled the coach
man.
The porter slowly made his way toward
the carriage when Suzettes pretty head
appeared at the window.
Gracious heavens, Madamel Did not
Madame receive the letter? My master,
the General, has been very Ill for two days,
and the bali has been postponed
With feeble cry Nine. d. Ardize raised
the glass Then she threw herself in one