The Monticellonian., 1904-07-28
 A LITTLE
 DECEPTION

mother that f1eI EHdHCe DeSTlSuN thought it well to consider in earnest the possibility of marriage and vowed not to die a spinster She was now 29, pos sessed in her own right of modest com petence, and had heart full of warm and generous impulses, but she was de- formed-in short. a humpback.
 Seated alone in her quiet home at Chatillon with pleasant surroundings about her, she considered her lonely fu- ture with a shudder But where to seek for a husband? Whom might she ad- dress?
 She knew she did not possess the phys ical attractions of young and more per feet beauty she must confess that one shoulder was higher than the other, and from some words she overheard, she knew herself considered a little angular. But what of this in so loyal heart?
 One evening in her daily paper she found this advertisement, which inn mediately engrossed her attention.
 The Matrimonial Institute of France, founded by Madame de Saint Elme This institute has for it's object the promotion of honorable marriages. between mem- bers of families best fitted both in a physiological and social point of view.
 Dowries from 2.000 to 2000000 traces.
 Office hours, one to five p. m. Corre- spondence solicited
 And the address followed.
 Hermance considered this matter that day and again the following day. Fin ally she said to herself:
 ''I will write to that woman"
 And she wrote at once.
 By return post she received magnif- gently printed prospectus, beautifully Autographed on rose celored paper, which in great many words explained, magnifed and praised the moral pur- pose of the Matrimonial Institute of France"
 In conclusion Mme de St. Elme invited her correspondent to send her the mod est sum of two dollars as subscription to the Nuptial Veil, in which would be found a large list of candidates for matri- mony all guaranteed of good social rans, regularly registered and submitted to the choice of readers of both sexes. To be thus registered or to make choice of any name in these lists the further sum of five dollars must be remitted in ad- vance.
 Hermance sent, in conformity with the above conditions, the double fee, add ing also. as advised in the prospectus, one of her photographs, a little portrait taken the year before. in which there ap- peared her fine head and neck, full of ex- pression and grace. but showing her only as far as the shoulders.
 As she glanced at the long list of possi- ble husbands named in the Nuptial Veil she was embarrassed, there were so many. Marking out 20. these she re- duced to 15. and then to 10. and s. She paused and then tired of the attempt, she finished by placing her pencil where it would fall, which happened to be No. 12.S1S, reading thus:
 Employment. public; salary $500 fracs. with advancement assured; aged 3S years, good health simple tastes; de- sires to marry young lady of age and for tune, excellent habits and character.
 Simple tastes" of course it was im- possible to tell what these words might mean but trusting to the maternal char acter of the lady at the head of the in 1irute. and forwarding a new .hooE fer the additional SIC required, she received photograph of No. 12,S1S, with note giving the name, residence, etc, of the candidate.
 His name was Adrien Bastide, and he was public officer in the little town of Kernoveu. in Brittany. In the picture, which represented him at full length. he appeared a man full of good humor and good will with full open countenance, and a long beard. flowing down his breast. But how tall he was! You might have taken him fer drum major What a contrast to poor little humpback Mer- nance,
 ''Ah, Dut ne IS very good man Tor me, whispered she to herself
 At the same time that the photograph was sent to Hermanee, Mime. de Saint Elme. always attentive to the interests of her clients. advised No 12,S1S of the distinction which had befallen him, and for consideration. forwarded the note and portrait of Mile Desriguy, who straightway received the following let ter:
 Mademoiselle: While not having the honor of being personally known to you, yet I cannot resist the deep emotion which only one look at your photograph has aroused in me. and to tell you by what all powerful, almost providential, sympathy am turned to you.
 Yes, it seems as if hear voice from heaven guiding and leading me to you. II is impossible to look upon counten- ance so pure, so open. so frank. on eyes SO full of spirit and impossible to deceit and not to know you have a generous loving heart
 And the writerof the letters prayed for the opening ofa correspondence between them preparatory if mutually agreeable to meeting at some future time.
 An exchange of letters now ensued Each day becoming more and more inti- mate. they eonffded to one another the stories of their youth their hopes for the future and how and why they had had recourse 10 Mme. de Saint Eme.
 The interview between the two could no longer be delayed Adrien Bastide announced his intention to visit Chatil- lion in a fortnight, and the affair was readily and easily arranged.
 A cTPANGE GpAnTTA