The sun., 1904-05-22

poats. thsy oouf3ded to one another The
storjes OF their youth. their hopes for the
future and how and why they had mao
recourse to Mime. de Saint klme.
The interview between the two could
no longer be delayed. Adrien Bastiae an
pounced his intention TO visit Chahllon In
a fortnight. and the affair was readily and
easily arranged.
old friends of the family who would be
glad to assist her. There would be moth
ing risked in acquainting them now maj
ters were q few days in advance OF the
coming Of her fanee Her lance An.
how deliciously IL made her heart throb.
Finally the great day came and Her
nance was notified tina, NJ. Bastide would
present himself at her house at o'clock
Everything in and around the house had
bean put in perfect order, and all was
ready. Hermance kept repeating TO her
servant:
-Mademoiselle has said that very often.
and be sure to bring him in-that person
.Surely, mademoiselle. Don't you fear.
/ will hide myself in the corridor and run
at the first sound Of the bell
major with the long beard, appeared, but
limping with one foot, and walking with
a cane;
.Mademoselle Deeriguy! said he.
1T is l, Monsieur Bastide,' tremblingly
the book in which she seemed to have been
YOU But, Mademoiselle Hermanoe Des-
rigq! who wrote to me''
And both stood thunderstruck. facing
each other, stupidity gazing without a
word.
But. mademoiselle. you have never
you ought to have told me- And Her
nance replied. her cheeks no" grown
scarlet:
YES 1 know, ough. to perhaps, but
me-no-oh no. Adieu. monsieur,
And our poor little heroine. Wholly con
fused. ber ewes filed with tears. fed away,
leaving the room 10 her visitor her e1-
The great giant stood stiIl come minutes.
What was there to dot Finally he opened
door into the hall and shufhed back TO ms
hotel. There he seated himself on one OF
the soft banks Of grass. and with eyes
mechanically fixed upon the wiLdings oi
the valley. tried to mediate over the occur
rences OF the afternoon. and gave himself
up to the strange thoughts TO which they
Humphackedl She was a humpback.
and she had said nothing about it. This was
| the game, a shallow trick, and that mater
nal directress OF the Matrimonial Institute
Der children to make a better acquaintance
and 10 shield them in marriage
| cheat
| said abou. his infirmity'
He had been very careful in not speaking
| OF that Had he tried TO trick herr No,
truly that was not his object. He had not
! wished to hurry.
And sbe-oh. without doubt. it was her
tinidity; perhaps in her case also t she iei'
| ashamed. He had no reason TO he proud
! Adrien Bastide had been tenderly brought
up by a mother who idolized him. Jealous
| Of every woman who approached him, vet
she had had an intention certainly OF see
TO disappoint him. But years passed on
| and she discovered no one worthy OF him,
and finally she died without placing her
hand upon the fine pearl sought for.
| Adrien al the age Of 2, on account OF =
his right leg After his mothers death he
| said TO himself that now was the time TO re-
| place her But how;
| Providen,ially, as he then thought, he saw
the advertisement OF the marriage insttute
and paving his subscription and enrolinene
| fee he received photograph and com
| munica.ion in which Hermance, No. le IA,
was described
| Orphan. - years musician. dowTy 90 600
francs living IN neat % eSttaSs S,d Nth ssnnse snsdsn
| man Of honor. in preference oficisl
| This exactly suited him: perhaps even the
| 20 Goo francs no less than the garden and
| stream full OF fish attracted him
| Alas. some points had been omitted in
| the advertisement in the NuphdI VsI and
also in the letters from Nine. de st. klne-
ye, how fun Of sweetness and spirituality
her letters had been.
| Well. he was not coming 30 miles Tor
nothing; he would 60 and explain h mseh
| at least.
| Hernance during this time was reflect
ing on the situstion. II was not 30 easy
to find husband al -. she we'll knew. :,
He was cripple, yes but she "as-~en
| a little peaked.
Nothing she thought, will make NJ
| Bastide return 10 the house There are
three trains TO Paris. two in the morning
and one in the afternoon al 40.
He will do nothing until train time
might at least try to meet him. as 1t were
by accident at the station.
So with hat and mantle she quickly set
out But two steps from her house she ran
into the good giant.
Monsieur Adrien. must you leave town
| at once'' she asked.
And she had a look so contrite, and eyes
| 80 ready TO fill with tears that the giant bent
over her and took her hand respectfully.
Il ask your pardon he said, for all
did You were much excited: so was ]
But do not wish to return without seeing
YOU again. Permit me to enter with you
Now we know each other, and We can speah
more quietly
There were two happy persons IN that
little house and they are now happy, thos<
two who had not told the truth.