The weekly times-record., 1914-10-15
N tsn E& sNa
A Happy y
Coincidence
M LOUISE B. CUMMINGS

During the second empire in France
two country gentlemen, M. Recardier
and M. Gallipeaux, met at the chateau
of the former, and while discussing
some fine old wine Gallipeaux said to
| his friend: ..
"Where is your son Louis?'
"Traveling."
my daughter also Is travelling. She
will be at home for the autumn ball. 1t
will be her entrance into society"
"My son will be at home about that
time. I am looking forward to his
coming with pleasant anticipations.
He has not been here for ten years.
When he was twelve years old l put
him to school In Geneva. From there
he passed to the university, and since
then he has been travelling. But why
did you ask about my son?' ...
Il will tell you. 1t would give me
great pleasure and l should consider
myself highly honored to unite our
families in the marriage of these two
young persons"
"Just what have been thinking Of
for some time" replied the other.
"How old is your daughter?"
marie is twenty"
| "And Louis Is twenty-five"
1t was then and there agreed that
the youngsters should marry. That
was time when parents In France ar
ranged marriages for their children.
When Louis Recardier returned to
the paternal chateau his father met
him at the door, and the two were
locked in each others arms. They
chatted for some time, when the fa-
ther said:
"Louis, 1t is now time that you set
tied down at home. am getting lone
some in my old age and want you with
me. I desire also that you should
bring a wife into the house and that
may have a grandchild in whom to
be interested. l have arranged
match for you with the daughter Of an
old friend Of mine, and it is expected
that the marriage shall take place very
soon."
Ihe young mans face spoke plainly
that this was unwelcome news TO him.
He made no reply for some time, and
when he did it was quite backset to
his father. -...
my dear father" he said, Il have
always obeyed you and will continue
to do so save In this one thing, the
choice of wife. l do not approve Of
our ancestral custom Of parents choos-
ing mates for their children. ! am
believer in love and that marriages
should be made for love-"
But my word has been pledged. To
tell my friend that you will not marry
bis daughter would be an insult"
mot since have never seen her"
NJ. Recardier argued a long while
with his son without effect. The young
man had met girl in his travels and
had fallen in love with her. His father
was wrapped up in him and would not
break with him. A letter was dispatch
ed to NJ. Gallipeaux announcing that
the match must be abandoned. Natu-
rally the latter was much incansed
that his daughter should be refused
and wrote his old friend very curt
reply. ......-
Louis Recardier's falling in love was
one Of those cases where persons Of
opposite sex are drawn together at
sight. Louis had attended the opera
one evening at Milan, and in box di-
rectly above him and SO near him
that he could almost touch her sat
young lady between whom and him
came an instantaneous spark Of love.
Louis cou!,i not keep his r,'es of her.
and she. conscious that they Were al
ways upon her, gave him an occasional
glance. while a faint blush and rest.
lessness of her fan showed that she
was much affected The next day Louis
made an attempt to find the young
lady. hut was unable to do. So The
reason Of this was that's she had depart.
ed early in the morning with a party
with whom she was travelling. Louis
had returned to France, being expect
ed by his father. hoping to gain per-
mission to set out again to find the
girl with whom be had fallen in love at
sight. .. =
Not long after the arrival Of young
Recardier at home the autumn bail
came off. Her fl ther remembered that
his friend, NJ. Gallipeaux, had told him
that. his daughter would be presented
to the social world on that occasion,
and having heard that Mile. Gallipeaux
was a very charming girl urged his
son to attend the ball, hoping that
meeting her there he might be attract
ed to her and the match might yet be
brought about. Louis refused to so.
being satisfied with nothing but to set
out again to ind the girl who had en-
ehanted him. Finally his father con.
sented that he should depart. provided
he would first attend the ball.
Louis agreed to the condition, attend
ed the ball and was standing listlessly
looking at the dancers when suddenly
his heart came up into his throat. Who
should sail by him in the dance but