Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-02-12

red hump on his nose appeared In his
study. He knew at once that the
conner must be Antoine Rubadoux.
But so polite are the French in such
matters that, rising and bowling cere-
moniously, he asked to whom he was
indebted for the ho5kr of the visit
az come" saidAhe young man, "as
a sutton for yo8 daughters hand"
Antoine Ruoadoux, embrace your
Taking care to avoid the red hump.
from which sprang three stiff red
hairs. NJ. Marier embraced his son-in-
law to be. then expreesed surprise that
he had come earliE than had been
arranged. Antoine declared that he
had heard accounts of Mile. Marier so
ravishing that he could not wait for
the appointed time. In coming he had
disobeyed the orders of his father,
who did not know that he had done
so. He begged that monsieur would
not betray him.
Marier, who was delighted with
everything concerning his intended
son-in-law except his flaming nose,
which resembled the miniature head
of a red Indian with scalploc'- stick
ing straight up, directed a servant to
call madamoiselle and ushered An
tome into the drawing room. When
Clochette entered her father said Ger.
enormously:
"Clochette, have the honor to pre-
sent to you NJ. Antoine Rubadoux, tho
son of my old friend, Jules Rubadoux
of Paris"
crtrI noIa Wanna Pm.
badoux bowed so low that at first she
did not see his nose. but when she did
her eyes were fastened upon 1t In
what seemed to her father a terrible
fascination. She made an effort for
self control, then gave way, bursting
into fit Of laughter.
"Clochette" cried her father In q
commanding tone.
"MadamoIselle" cried the groom eH-
pectant reproachfully.
But Clochette laughed on. Her IA
Their thinking her emotions to have
brought on Mysteries ordered her to
her room, sending a maid to attend her.
Monsieur said Antoine ruefully,
"the marriage must be given up"
mot at all. Leave it to me. I viii
see that my daughter apologies for
her conduct. All will be well in time"
81 cannot force myself bhghted as
| am upon so lovely q girl"
do you mean that you viii insult
me by declining to complete the con-
tract made by your fatherf"
by no means, but cannot marry q
girl who has laughed at me-"
At this juncture Clochette came back
into the drawing room, and with a per-
fectly straight face she had controlled
herself
Permit me to assure you, NJ. Ru-
badoux'- she began, when again she
burst into another fit of laughter.
Rubadoux turned away Clochette re-
pressed her Mysteries and began again:
Permit me to assure you, monsieur,
that I have not the slightest doubt aft
er have been brought in contact with
the mind, the soul, that lies behind
your nose shall forget 1t. am ready
to become your wife whenever you
desire It"
81 will forgive your treatment on
one condition" said Antoine.
Name itp' cried the father, whose
anger disappeared as suddenly as it
had been aroused by his daughters &C
| ton.
MY father is liable to learn of my
departure at any moment and may be
so irritated as to forbid the match.
viii you marry me, mademoiselle, at
once?'
"This very day"
"Goodr' cried Marier 1--WE will pro-
coed to the office of the mayor at
once; then to the church"
Now, the good people of MarseiIles
had noted the advent of the stranger
with the flaming nose and had follow
t ed him. When the wedding party
emerged from the house 1t was fol-
lowed by crowd, some laughing at
the bridegroom's nose, some making
facetious remarks, while those through
whom this variegated procession pass
ed pitied the poor bride and muttered
maledictions on her fathers head
When the ceremony in the church
was completed the groom turned and
looked at those present. He was re-
ceived with laughter and derlsion.
"Those laugh best who laugh last"
ne Salu, anu putting MS hand 10 the
hump on his nose, he pulled 1t of and
tossed 1t among them.
A hum of establishment greeted the
action. Then some one shouted:
"Why, it's Joe Trouvere"'
And SO it was. Joseph had returned
from his cruise and. hearing of the sit
uation of the girl he loved, provided
himself with wax nose with three
: bristling hairs in it and palmed him.
self off as Antoine Rubadoux before
that youths arrival.
The establishment of NJ. Marier, who
had been tricked into hurrying his
daughter into marriage before the ar
rival Of the man he had provided for
: her was appalling. Too late he saw
through Clochette's laughter on seeing
the groom. She had recognized him at
once.
Feb. IL in American