Indiana State Sentinel, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 July 1894 — Page 11

THE INDIANA STATE SENTINEL, WEDNESDAY MORNING, JUL? 4, 1894: T WELTE PAGES. -

11

THE CHATEAU OF

' Few Englishmen or English women fare Intimately acquainted with the little town of Le Puy. It is the capital of the -ld province of Le Velay. which also Is 'iiow but little known, even to French rears, for it la in these days called by the imperial nam? of the Department of the Haute Loire. It is to the southeast 'f Auvergne, and is nearly in the center fcf the southern half of France. Le Puy Itself Is a small, moderate, pleasant French town, in which the lanjruaere of the people has not the pure Parisian aroma nor is the glory of the boulevards of the capital emulated in. its streets. These are crooked, narrow, teep and intricate, forming here and here excellent sketches for a lover of street picturesque beauty; but hurtful to the feet with their small rouMCtJfped paving stones, and not always as clean ijid pedestrian ladles might desire. t And now I would ask my readers to fioin me at the morning table d'hote at "the Hotel des Ambassadeurs. The dejeuner or dinner at the Hotel tes Ambassadeurs on the morning in (question, though very elaborate, was not L very gay affair. There were some (fourteen, persons present, of whom half pvere residents in the town, men employed In some official capacity, who pound this to be the cheapest, the most (luxurious, and to them the most comfortable mode of living. They clustered together at the head of the table, and ?as they were customary guests at the j&ouse they talked their little talk together it was very little and "made the imost of the good things before thorn. jThen there were two or three ccmmlsrvoyageurs, a chance traveler or two, and an English lady with a young .'daughter. The English lady sat next to ione of the accustomed guests; but he, ,Vnlike the others, held converse with 'jier rather than with them. Our story fit present has reference only to that .lady and to that pentleman. Place aux dames. We will speak first ipf the lady. whose name was Mrs. .Thompson. She was. shall I say, a young woman of about thirty-six. In bo saying1. 1 am perhaps creating a prejudice against her in the minds of some Xeaders. as they will, not unnaturally, ßuppose her, after such an announcejment, 't le in truth over forty. Any '. puch prejudice will be unjust. I would :'have it believed that thirty-six was the outside, nt the inside of her age. She tvas good looking, ladylike, and considering th it she was an English woman, 'fairly well dressed. She was inclined to Te rather full in her person, but perhaps not more so than is becoming to ijadies at her time of life. She had rings cn her fir?ers arXl a brooch on her ,tosom which were of some value, and on ithe back of her head she wore a jaunty fcmal! lace cap, which seemed to tell, in Conjunction with her other appointments, that her circumstances were comfortable. The little grirl who sat next to her was the youngest of her two daughters, and might le about thirteen years of age. Jier name was Matild.t. but infantine circumstances had invested her with the nickname of Mimniy. by which her mother always en lie 1 h-'-r. A nice, pretty, pl iyfu! little girl was Mimmy Thompson, wearing two long tails of plaited hair hanging behind her head, and inclined oj-rasj.jnally to be rather loud in Jier sport. Mr-. Thompson hid another and an elder daughter, now some fifteen years old, wh.i was at school in Le Puy; and Jt was with reft-ren -e to her tuition that Mrs. Thompson had taken up a temporary residence at the Hotel des AmtassadUis in that town. "When I'm sure that she'll do, I shall leave her there and go back to Enjrland." Mrs. Thompson had rnid. not in the purest French, to the neig'n.t r who always sat next to her at the table d'hote, the gentlemnn, namely, to whom We. have alove alluded. But still she had remained at Le Pay a month, and did not gj; a . ireumnance which was Considered sinmilar, !mt by no means .Unpleasant, bot'.i by the innkeeper and try the gentleman. The facts as regarded Mrs. Thompson, were as follows: ,he was the w! low of a gentleman who had served for many years in the civil service of the East .Indies, and who. on dying, had !eft her 'a comfortable income of it matters not ihow many pounds, but constituting 'quite a sufTicieney to enable her to live at her ease a.id educate her daughters. H-r' rhiMr-ri had been sent home to Engl-ind before her husband's death, and after that event she hid followed them; hut there, thuq:h she was possessed of mo. crate wealth, she had no friends and re.-, acquaintances, and after a little while she had found life to be leather dull. Her customs were not those of Ens-Ian. 1. nor were her propensities English; therefore shi h?id R-rme abroad, and having received some recommendation of this school at Le Puy, had mad2 her way thither. As it appeared to her that she really enjoyed more consideration at Le Puy than had been, accorded to her either at Torquay or Leamington. there she remained from day to day. The total payment required at the Hotel !es Ambassadeurs was but six francs lally for herself and three and a half for her little girl: and where else could 'Ehe live with better junction of economy and comfort? And then the gentleman who alw?ys sat next to her was so exceedingly civil. The- gentleman. name was M. Laeordaire. So much she knew, and had learned to etil him by his name very frequently. Mimmy, too, was quite intimate wth M. Licordaire; but nothing ;more than his nime was known of him. ;lut M. Laeordaire carried a general letzter of recommendation in his face, manJier, gait, dress, and tone of voice. In all these respects thre was nothing- left :to bo desired: and. in addition to this, ;Jio was decorated, and wore the little ;red ribbon of the lenrlon of honor. Inl'g?nlousIy tw'.rted into the shape of a tsrr.a'l flower. M. I acordaire mlpht be senior in ajre r Mrs. Thompson by about ten years, flior had he about him any of the airs "find graces of a would-be young man. ;3Il hair, which he wore very short, was 'grizzle 1. as was also the small pretence )ot a whisker which came down about ;a3 far as the middle of his ear; but the jrtuft on hi.-? chin v.-?s still brown, without a gray hair. HI3 eyes were bright ,anl tender, his voice was low and soft, ifris hands were very white, his clothes Xvtr always new and well-fitting, and & better brushed hat could not he seen out of Paris, or perhaps in It. Now. during the weeks which Mrs. Thompson had passed at Le Puy, the acquaintance which she had formed with M. Laeordaire had progressed beyond the pro- . longed meals in tb salle a manger. He fial occasionally sat besides her evening .table as she took her English cup of tea In her own room, her bed being duly fcreenrd off in its distinct niche by becoming curtains; and then he had occasionally walked beside her, as he civilly escorted hr to the lions of the place; and h? had once accompanied her, sitting on the back seat of a P'rench volture, when Fhe had gone forth to see something of the surrounding country. On all suh occasions she had been acrompanled by one of her daughters, and the world of Le Puy had had nothing material to say against her. But still the world of i puy hffd whispered tC little, euggestin that M. Laeordaire knew very well what he was about. But might not Sirs. Thompson also know as well what h was about? At any rate, everything had gone on very pleasantly since the acquaintance had been made; and now.

PRINCE POLIGNAC.

so much having been explained, we will go back to the elaborate breakfast at the ambassadeurs. Mrs. Thompson, holding Mimmy by the hand, walked Into the room some few mtnutes after the last bell had been rung, and took the place which was now hers by custom. The gentlemen who constantly frequented the house all bowed to her. but M. Laeordaire rose from his seat and offered her his hand. "And how Is Mees Meemy this morning?" said he; for 'twas thus he always pronounced her name. Miss Mimmy, answering for herself, declared that she was very well, and suggested that M. Laeordaire should give her a fig from off a dish that was placed Immediately before him on the table. This M. Laeordaire did, presenting It very elegantly between his two fingers, and making a bow to the little lady as he did so. "Fie. Mimmy!" said her mother; "why do you ask for the things before the waiter brings them around?" "But. mamma." said Mimmy. speaking English, "M. Laeordaire always gives me a fig every morning." "M. Laeordaire always spoil3 you, I think," answered Mrs. Thompson. in French. And then they went thoroughly to work at their breakfast. During the whole meal M. Laeordaire attended assiduously to his neighbor; and did so without any evil result, except that one Frenchman with a black moustache at the head of the table trod on the toe of another Frenchman with another black moustache winking as he made the sign just as M. Laeordaire. having selected a bunch of grapes, put it on Mrs. Thompson's plate with inlinite grace. But who among us all Is free from such impertinences as these? "But madame really must see the chateau of Prince Polignac before she leaves Le Puy," said M. Laeordaire. "The chateau of who?" asked Mimmy, to whose young ears the French words were already becoming U miliar. "Prince Polignac, my dear. Well. I really don't know, M laeordaire; I have seen a great deal of the pl3.ee already, and I shall be going now very soon; probably in a day or two," said Mrs. Thompson. "But madame must positively see the chateau," said M. Laeordaire, very impressively; and then after a pause he ridded, "If madame will have the complaisance to commission me to procure a carriage for this afternoon, and will allow me the honor to be her guide, I shall consider myself one of the most fortunate of men." "Oh. yes, mamma, do go," said Mimmy. clappinj? her hands. "And it is Thursday, and Lilian can go with us." "Be quit. Mimmy, do. Thank you. no, M. Laeordaire. I could not po today; but I am extremely obliged for your politeness." M. Laeordaire still pressed the matter, and Mrs. Thompson still declined, till it was time to rise from the table. She then decared that she did not think it possible that she should visit the chateau before she left Le Puy; but that she would give him an answer at dinner. The most tedious time in the day to Mrs. Thompson were the two hours after breakfast. At 1 o'clock she iaily went to the school, taking Mimmy, who for an hour or two shared her sister's lessons. This and her little excursions about the place, and her shopping, managed to make away with her afternoon. Then in the evening she generally saw something of M. Laeordaire. But those two hour? after breakfast were hard of killing. On this occasion, when she pained her own room, she, as usual, placed Mimmy on the sofa with a needle. Her custom then was to take up a novel; but on this morning she sat herself down in her armchair, and resting her head uom her hand and elbow, bepan to turn over certain circumstances in her mind. "Mamma." stid Mimmy, "why don't you g-o with M. Laeordaire to that place belonging to the prince? Prince Polly Kome thing, wasn't it?" "Mind your work, my de?.r," said Mrs. Thompson. "But I do so wish you'd go, mammi. Wh.it was the prince's name?" "Polignac." Mamma, ain't princes very great people?" "Yes, my dear sometimes." "Is Prince Polly-nac like our Prince Alfred?" "No, my dear; not at all. At least, I sup! ise n. t." "Is his mother a queen?" "No, my dear." 'Then his father must be a king?" "No, my dear. It is quite a different thing here. Here in France they have iL great many princes." ' vVell. at any rate I should like to see a prince's chateau; so 1 do hope you'll fco." And then there was a pause. "Mamma, could it come to piss, here in France, that M. Laeordaire should ever be a prince?" "M. Laeordaire a prince! No; don't talk such nonsense, but mind your work." "ltn't M. Laeordaire a very nice man? Ain't you very fond of him?" To this question Mrs. Thompson made no answer. "Mamma," continued Mimmy, aftr a moment's pmse. "won't you tell me whether you are fond of M. Laeordaire? I'm quite sure of this that he's very fond of you." "What makes you think that?" asked Mrs. Thompson, who could not bringherself to refrain from the question. "Because he 1 oks at you in th it way, mamma., and and squeezes your hand." "Nonst nse, child." said Mrs. Th.mpsn; "hold your tongue. I don't know whit can have put such stuff into your head." "TJut he does, mamma." said .Mimmy, who rarely allow d her mother to put her clown. Mrs. Thompson made no further answer, but agraln pat with her head resting on her hand. She also, If the truth must be told, was thinking of M. Laeordaire and his fondness for, herself. He had squeezed her hand and he had looked into her face. However much it may have been nonsense on Mimimy's part to talk of such thinps, they had not the less absolutely occurred. Was it really the fact that M. Laeordaire was in love with her? And if so, what return should she, or could Pha. make to such a passion? He had looked at her yesterday, and squeezed her hand today. Might it not be probable that he would advance a step further tomorrow? If so. what answer would be she be prepared to make to him? She did not think so she said to herself that she had any particular objection to marrying again. Thompson had been dead now for four years, and neitner his friends, nor her friends, nor the world, could say she was wrong on that score. And as to marrying a Frenchman, she could not say that she felt within herself any absolute repugnance to doing that. Of her own country, speaking of England a3 such, she, in truth, knew but little, and perhaps cared less. Fhe had gone to India almost as a chill, and England had not been specially kind to her on her return. She had found it dull and cold, stiff, and almost ill-natured. People there had not smiled on her and been civil as M. Laeordaire had done. As far as England and Englishmen were considered she saw no reason why she should not marry M. Laeordaire. And then, as regarded the man; could she, in her heart, say that she was prepared to love, honor and obey M. Laeordaire? She certainly knew no reason why she should not do so. She did not know much of him. she said to herself at first; but she knew as much, she said afterward, as she had known personally of Mr. Thompson before their marriage. She had known, to be sure, what was Mr. Thompson's profession and what his Income; or. If not. some one else had known for her. As to both these points, she was quite In the dark as regarded M. Laeordaire. Personally, she certainly did like him, as she said to herself more than once. There was a courtesy and softness about hirn which were very gratifying to her; and then his appearance was so much In his favor. He was not very young, ihe acknowledged; but neither was she young herself. It was quite evident that he was fond of her children and that he

!

would be a kind and affectionate father to them. Indeed, there was kindness in all he did. Should she marry again and she put it to herself quite hypothetically she would look for no romance in such a second marriage. She would be content to sit down In a quiet home, to the tame, dull realities of life, satisfied with the companionship of the man who would be kind and gentle to her. and whom she could respsct and esteem. Where could she find a companion with whom this could be more safely anticipated than with M. Laeordaire? And so she argued the question within her own breast in a manner not unfriendly to that gentleman. That there was as yet one great hindrance she at once saw; but then that mipht be remedied by a word, he did not know what was his income or his profession. The chambermaid, whom she had interrogated, told her that he was a "marchand." To merchants, generally, she felt that she had no objection. The Barings and the Rothschilds were merchants, as was also that wonderful man at Bombay. Sir Ilommajee Bommajee, who was worth she did not know many thousand of rupees. Mrs. Thompson always dressed herself with care, though not in especially fine clothes, before she went down to dinner at the table d'hote; but on this occasion she was more than usually particular. She hardly explained to herself why she did this; but nevertheless, as she stood before the glass, she did in a certain manner feel that the circumstances of her future life ml.ht perhap3 depend on what might be said and done that evening. She had not absolutely decided whether or no she would go to the prince's chateau; but if she did go . Well, if she did; what then? She had sense enouph. as she assured herself more than once, to regulate her own conduct with propriety in any such emergency. During the dinner, M. Laeordaire conversed in his usual 111. inner, but said nothing whatever about the visit to Polignac. He was very kind to Mimmy, and very courteous to her mother, but did not appear to be at all more particular than usual. Indeed, it mipht be a question whether he was not less so. As shf had entered the room Mrs. Thompson had said to herself that, perhaps, after all. it would be better that there should be nothing more thought about it; but 'before the four or five courses were over .she was beginning to feel a little disappointed. And now the fruit was on the table, After the consumption of w'nk'h it was her practice to retire. It was certainly open to her to ask M. Laeordaire to take tea with her that evening, as Fhe had done on former occasions; but she fe'.t that she must not do this now, considering the immediate circumstances of the case If any further sieps were to h taken, they must be tiken by him. nnd not by her; or else by Mimmy, who, just as her mother was slowly consuming her last grapes ran round to the back of M. Laeordaire's chair and whispered something into his ear. It may be presume, 1 that Mrs. Thompson did not see the intention of the movement in time to arrest it, for sli did nothing till the whispering hud been whispered; and then she rebuked the child, bade her not to be trouolosom?. and with more than usuil austerity in her voice dtflrel her to get herse'.f ready to go up stairs to their ch.arn'.vr. As she spoke she herself ros,- from her chair and made her fin.al little bow to the table, ai:d her other final little hv.v and smile to M. Bacordiiro; but this wis certain to .all who saw it. that the smile was not as gracious as us.ial. At. she walked forth. M. Laeordaire rose from his chair so. h being his constant practice when she left the table; but on this occasion h a-.-o:npanied her to the do--r. "And ha mvl-ime decided." h asked, "whether she will permit me to aecompativ her to the chateau?" "W-11. I really don't k.iow," said Mrs. Thompson. "Mees Meemy," continued M. Laeordaire, "is very anxious to see the rock, ar.d I injy perhaps hope tint Mees Leeli.m would be rlca;Vt with sik-Ii a little excursion. As f..r myself " and then M. La cord lire put his hand upon his heart in a manner th 1 1 seemed to speak more plainly than he had ever spoken. "YVe',1. if the children would re illy like lr, and as you are s very kind." sail Mrs. Thompson; and so the matter was c'-nceded. "Tomorrow afternoon?" suggested M. Laeord wie. But Mrs. Th mp.ron fixed on Saturday, tin r.by showing tint fh herself was in no hurry for the expedition. As she went up to the school the next afternoon she walked through more of the stitets of Le Puy than was necessary, and in every str'vt she looked ;u the nam's which she saw over the doors of the more respectable houses of business. But she looked in vain. It might b that M. Laeordaire was a marchand of so specially high a or.a'ity sis to be under no necessity to put up his ntune at all. Sir Ilommajee B mmajee's name did not appear over any door in Bombay at li-ai, she thought not. And then came the Saturday morning. "We shall be ready at 2." she said, as she left the breakfast table; "and perhaps you would not niii.d calling for Lilian on the way." M. Laeordaire would be delighted to call anywhere for anybody on behalf of Mrs. Thompson; and then, as he got to the door of the Falun, he offered her his hand. He did so with so much French courtesy that she could not refuse it, and then she felt that his purpose was more tender than ever it had been. And why not. If th!s was the destiny which fate had prepared for her? Mr.. Thompson would rather have pot into the carriage at any other spot in L.e I'uy than at that at which she was forced to do so the chief entrance, namely, of the Hotel d s Ambassadeurs. And what made it worse was this, that an appearance of a special fete was given to th? occasion. M. Laeordaire was dressed in more than hks Sunday bost. He had on new yellow kid gloves. His coat, if not new, was newer than any Mrs. Thompson had yet observed, and was lined with silk up to the very collar. He had on patent leather boots, which glittered, as Mrs. Thompson thought, much too conspicuously. And as for his hat, it was quite evident that it was fresh that morning from the maker's block. In th!3 costume, with his hat In hi.s hand, he stood under the great gateway of the hotel, ready to hand Mrs. Thompson into the carriage. This would have been nothing if the landlord anil landlady had not been there also, as well as the man cook, and the four waiters, and the fille de chambre. Two or three other pair of eyes Mrs. Thompson also saw as she glanced round, and then Mimmy walked across th yard In her best clothes with a fete-day air about her for which her mother would have liked to whip her. But what did it matter? If It was written in the book that she should become Mine. Laeordaire, of course the? world would know that there must have been some preparatory love-making. Let them have their laugh; a good husband would not be dearly purchased at so trifling an expense. And so they sallied forth with already half the ceremony of a wedding. Mimmy seated herself opposite to her mother, and M. Laeordaire also sat with his back to the horses, leaving the second place of honor for Lilian. "Pray make yourself comfortable, M. Laeordaire, and don't mind her." said Mrs. Thompson. But he was firm in his purpose of civility, perhaps making up his mind that when he should In truth stand in the place of papa to the young lady then would be his time for having the back seat in the carriage. Lilian, also in her best frock, came down the school steps, and three of the school teachers came with her. It would have added to Mrs. Thompson's happiness at that moment If M. Laeordaire would have kept hia polished boots out of sight and put his yellow gloves Into his pocket. And then they started. The road from Le Puy to Polignac Is nearly all up hill, and a very steep hill it Is; so that there was plenty of time for conversation. But the girls had It nearly all to themselves.

Mimmy thought that she had never found j

M. Laeordaire so stupid: and Lilian told her sister on the first safe opportunity that occurred that it seemed very much as though they were all going to church. "And do any of the Polinac people ever live at this place?" asked Mrs. Thompson, by way of making conversation; in answer to which M. Laeordaire Informed madame that the place was at present only a ruin; and then there was again stlence till they found themselves under the rock, and were Informed by the driver that the rest of the ascent mut be made on foot. The rock now stood abrupt and precipitous above their heads. It was larger in Its circumference and with much larger space on its summit than those other volcanic rocks in and clcse to the town; but then at the same time it was higher from the ground and quite as inaccessible except by the single path which led up to the chateau. M. Laeordaire, with conspicuous gallantry, first assisted Mrs. Thompson from the carriage, nd then handed down the two j-oung la3Ies. No lady could have been so difficult to please as to complain of him, and yet Mrs. Thompson thought that he was not as agreeable as usual. Those horrid boots and those horrid gloves gave him such an air of holiday finery that neither could he be at his ease wearing them nor could she in seeing them. They were soon taken in hand by the poor woman whose privilege it was to show the ruins. For a little distance they walked up the path In Fingle file; not that it was too narrow to accommodate two, but M. Lecordalre's courage had not yet been screwed to a point which admitted of his offering his arm to the widow. For in France it must be remembered that this means more than it does In some other countries. Mrs. Thompson felt that all this was silly and useless. If they were not to be dear friends this coming out feting together, those boots and gloves and new hat were all very foolish; and if they were the sooner that they understood each other the better. So Mrs. Thompson, finding that the path was steep and the weather warm, stood still for a whil' leaning against the wall, with a look of considerable fatigue in the face. "Will madam permit me the honor of offering her my arm?" said M. Lecordalre. "The road Is so extraordinarily steep for madame to climb." Mrs. Thompson did permit him the honor, and so they went on till they roaehed the top. Th" view from the summit was both extensive and grand, but neith?r Lilian nor Mimniy were much pleased with the place. The elder sister, who had talked over the matter with her school companions, expected a fine castle with turrets, hattlement3, and romance; and the other expected a pretty, smiling house, such as princes, in her mind, ought to inhabit. Instead of this they found an old turret, with steps so broken that M. Laeordiire did mt care to ascend them, and th ruined walls of a mansion in which nothing was to be se-m but th? remains of an enormous kitchen chimney. "It was the kitchen of the family," sail the guide. "Oh." said Mrs. Thompson. "And this, said the woman, taking them into the next ruined compartment, "was the kitchen of monsieur et mada me." "What! two kitchens?" exclaimed Lilian, upon which M. Laeordaire explained that the ancestors of the Prince de Polignac had been very great people, and had therefore required culinary performances on a great scale. And then the woman began to chatter ;a.rp?thing about r.n oracle of Apollo. There was, she said, a hoi? In the rock, from which in past times, perhaps more linn a hundred years ago, the oracle used to speak forth mysterious words. "There," she said, pointing to a part of the rock at some distance, "was the hole. And if the ladies would follow her to a little outhouse .which was just beyond, she would show th' m the huge stone mouth out of which the oracle used to speak." Lilian and Mimmy both declared at r nee for fceeinjc the oracle, but Mrs. Thompson expressed her determination to remain sitting where she was upon the turf. So the guide started off with the young ladies; and will it be thought surprising that M. Laeordaire should have remained alone by the side of Mrs. Thompson? It must be now or never. Mrs. Thompson felt; and as regard ?d M. Laeordaire, he probably entertained some idea of the same kind. Mrs. Thompson's inclinations, though they had never been very strong in the matter, were certainly in favor of the "now." M. Lacordaire's inclinations were stronger. He had fully and firmly made up his mind in favor of matrimony; but then he was not so absolutely in favor of the "now." Mrs. Thompson's mind. If one could have read it, would have shown a great objection to shilly-shallying, as she was accustomed to call it. But M. Laeordaire. were it not for the danger which might thence arise, would have seen no objection to seme slight further procrastination. His courage was beginning, perhaps, to ooze out from his fingers' ends. "I declare that those girls have scampered away ever so far," said Mrs. Thompson. "Would madame wish that I should call them back?" said M. Laeordaire innocently. "Oh, no. dear children! let them enjoy themselves; it will be a pleasure to them to run about the rock, and I suppose they will be safe with that woman?" "Oh, yes, quite safe," said M. Laeordaire; and then there was another little pause. Mrs. Thompson was sitting on a broken fragment of a stone just outside the entrance to the old family kitchen, and M. Laeordaire was standing Immediately before her. He had in his hand a little eane with which he sometimes slapped his boots and sometimes poked about among the rubbish. Hia hat was not quite straight s on hU head, having a little jaunty twist to one side, with reference to which, by-the-by, Mrs. Thompson then resolved that she would make a change, should ever the gentleman become her own property. He still wore his gloves and was very smart; but it was clear to see that he was not at his ease. v "I hope the heat does not incommode you," he said, afttr a few moments' silence. Mrs. Thompson declared that It did not, that she liked a good deal of heat, and that, on the whole, she was very well where she was. She was afraid, however, that she was detaining M. Laeordaire, who might probably wish to be moving about uion the rock. In answer to which M. Laeordaire declared that he never could b& so happy anywhere as in her close vicinity. "You are too good to me," said Mrs. Thompson, almost sighing. "I don't know what my stay here would have been without your great kindness." "It is madame that has been kind to me," said M. Laeordaire, pressing the handle of his cane against hi.s heart. There was another pause, after which Mrs. Thompso 1 said that that was all his French politeness; that she knew that she had been very troublesome to him, but that she would now soon be gone; and that then. In her own country, she would never forget his great goodness. "Ah, madame!" said M. Laeordaire; and, as he said it, much more was expressed in his face than In his words. But. then, you can neither accept nor reject a gentleman by what he says in his face. He blushed, too, up to his grizzled hair, and. turning round, walked a step or two away from the widow's seat, and back again. Mrs. Thompson the while sat quite still. The displaced fragment, lying, as it did, near a corner of the building, made not an uncomfortable chair. She had only to be careful that she did not injure her hat or crush her clothes, and throw in a word here and there to assist the gentleman, should the occasion permit it. "Madame!" said M. Laeordaire, on his return from a second little walk. "Monsieur!" replied Mrs. Thompson, perceiving that M. Laeordaire paused in his speech. "Madame." he began again, and then, as h again paused, Mrs.' Thompson looked up to him very sweetly; "madame, what I'm going to say will, I am afraid, eem to evince by far too great audacity on my part." Mrs. Thompson may perhaps have

thought that at the present moment audacity was not his fault. She replied, however, that she was quite sure that monsieur would say nothing that was In any way unbecoming cither for him to spaak or for her to hear. "Madame, may I have ground to hope that such may be your sentiments after I have spoken! Madame" and now he went down, absolutely on his knees, on the hard stones; and Mrs. Thompson, looking about into the distance, almost thought that she saw the top of the guide's cap "Madame. I have looked forward to this opoprtunity as one 111 which I may declare for you the greatest passion that I have ever yet felt. Madame, with all my heart and soul I love you. Madame. I offer to you the homage of my heart, my hand, the happiness of my life, and all that I possess in this wor'd;" and then, taking her hand gracefully between his gloves, he pressed his lips against the tips of her lingers. If the thing was to be done this way of doing it was, perhaps, as good as any other. It was one. at any rate, which 'left no doubt whatever as to the gentleman's intentions. Mrs. Thompson, could she have had her own way, would not have allowed her lover of fifty to go down upon his knees, and would have spared him much of the romance of his declaration. So also wnuld she have spared him his yellow gloves and his polished boots. But these were a rart of the necessity of the situation, and therefore she wisely took them as matters to be passed over with indifference. Seeing, however, that M. Laeordaire still remained on his knees, it was necessary that she should take some step toward raising him. especially as her two children and the guide would infallibly be upon them before long. "M. Laeordaire." she said, "you surprise me greatly; but pray get up." "But will madame vouchsafe to give me some small ground for hope?" "The girls will be here directly. M. Laeordaire; pray get up. I can talk to you mi.ch better If you will stand up, or sit down on one of these stones." M. Laeordaire did as he was bid; he got up. wiped the knees of his pantaloons with his haidkerchicf, sat down beside her, and then pressed the handle of his cane to his heart. "You really have so surprised me that I hardly know how to answer you," said Mrs. Thompson. "Indeed. I cannot bring myself to imagine that you are in earnest." "Ah, madame, do not be so cruel! How can I have lived with you so long, sat beside you for so many diys, without having received your image into my heart? I am in earnest! Alas! I fear too much in earnest!" And then he looked at her with all his eyes, and sighed with all his strength. Mrs. Thompson's pru ienep told her that it would be well to settle the matter, in one way or the other, as soon as possible. Long periods of l ive making were fit for younger peop'e than herself and her future possible husband. Her object would be to mike him comfortable if she could, and that he should do the .im? for her. if that also were possible. jL s for lookings and sigl-'ngs and pressings of the hand, she had s one through all that sm twenty years since in Indii. whn Thompson had been young and sha was still in h"r teens. "But, M. Laeordaire. there .are so many things to be considered. There! I hear the children coming! Lt us walk this way for a minute." Ar.d they turned behind a wall which placed them out of Eight, and walked on a few paces till thy reached a parapet, which stood on the uttermost edge of the hir?h rock. Leaning upon this they continued their conversation. "There are so many things to be considered." said Mrs. Thompson again. "Yes. of course." said M. Laeordaire. "But my one great ro is i lration is this that I love madame to distraction." "I am very much 11 a tiered: of course, any lady would feel. But, M. Laeordaire " "Madame. I am all attention. But. if you would deign to make me happy, say that one word. "I love you!" M. Laeordaire, as he uttered these words, did not look, as the sayin-j is, at his host. But Mrs. Thompson forgave him. She kr.ew that elderly gentlemen under such circumstances do not look at their best. "But if I consented to to to such an arrangement. I could only do so on see

ing it would b beneficial or. at rate, not injurious to my children; that it would offer to ourselves a any and fair promise of future happiness." "Ah, madame! it would b? the dearest wish of my heart ta be a second father to those two young ladies; except. Indeed " and then M. Laeordaire stopped the flow of his speech. "In such maters it is so much the best to be explicit at once," son. "Oh. yes; certainly! said Mrs. ThompXothing can be more wise than madame." "And the happiness of a household depends so much on money." "Madame!" "Let me say a word or two. Monsieur Laeordaire. I have enough for myself and my children; and, should I ever marry again. I should not, I hope, be felt as a burden by my- husband; but it would, of course, be my duty to know what were his circumstances before I accepted him. Of yourself, personally, I have seen nothing that I do not like." "Oh. madame!" "But as yet I know nothing of your circumstances." M. Laeordaire, perhaps, did feel that Mrs. Thompson's prudence was of a strong, masculine description; but he hardly liked her the less on this account. To give'him his duo, he was not desirous of marrying- her solely for her money's sake. He also wished for a comfortable home, and proposed to give as much as he got; only he had been anxious to wrap up the solid cake of this business In a casing of sugar of romance. Mrs. Thompson would not have the sugar; but the cake might not be the worse on that account. "No, madame; not as yet; but they shall all be made open and at your disposal," said M. Laeordaire; and Mrs. Thompson bowed approvingly. "I am in business," continued M. Laeordaire, "and my business gives me 8,000 francs a year." "Four times eight are thirty-two," said Mrs. Thompson to herself, putting the francs into pounds sterling In the manner that she had always found to be the readiest. Well, so far. the statement was satisfactory. An income of 320 a year from business, joined to her own. might do very well. She did not in the least suspect M. . Laeordaire of being false, and so far the matter sounded well. "And what is the business?" she asked, in a tone of voice intended to be indifferent, but which. nevertheless, showed that she listened anxiously for an answer to her question. They were both standing with their arms upon the wall, looking down upon the town of Le Puy; but they had so stood that each could see the other's countenance as they talked. Mrs. Thompson could now perceive that M. Laeordaire becajne red In the face, as he paused before answering her. She was near to him, and, seeing Iiis emotion, gently touched his arm with her hand. This she did to reassure him, for she saw that he was ashamed of having to declare that he was a tradesman. As for herself, she had made up her mind to bear with this, if she found, as she felt sure she would find, that the trade was one which would not degrade either him or her. Hitherto, Indeed in, her early days she had looked down on trade; but of what benefit had her grand Ideas been to her when she had returned to England? She had tried her hand at English genteel society, and no one had seemed to care for her. Therefore, she touched his arm lightly with her fingers that she might encourage him. He paused for a moment, as I have said, and became red; and then feeling that he had shown some symptoms of Fhame, and feeling also probably that it was unmanly in him to do so, he shook himself slightly, raised his head up somewhat more proudly than he was wont, looked her full lr the face with more strength of character than she had yet seen him assume, and then declared his business. "Madame," he said, in a very audible, but not In a loud voice; "Madame j

suis tailleur." And, having so spoken, he turned slightly from her and looked down over the valey toward Le Puy. - There was nothing more said upon the subject as they drove down from the rock of Polignac back to the town. Immediately on receiving the announcement Mrs. Thompson found that she had no answer to make. She withdrew her hand and felt at once that she had received a blow. It was not that she was angry with M. Laeordaire for being a tailor; nor was she angry with him in that, being a tailor, he had so addressed her. But she was surprised, disappointed, and altogether put beyond her ease. She had, at any rate, not expected this. She had dreamed of his being a banker; thought that, perhaps, he might have been a wine merchant; but her idea had never gone below a jeweler or watchmaker. When those words broke upon her ear, "Madame, je suis tailleur," she had felt herself speechcless. But the words had not been a minute spoken when Lilian and Mimmy ran up to their mother. "Oh. mamma," said Lilian, "we though? you were lost; we have bearched for you all over the chateau." "We have been sitting quietly here, my dear, looking at the view," said Mrs. Thompson. "But. mamma, I do wish you'd see the, mouth of the oracle. It is so large, and so round, and so ugly. I put my arm into it all the way," said Mimmy. But at the present moment her mamma felt no interest in the mouth of the oracle; and so they all walked down together to the carriage. And. although the way was steep, Mrs. Thompson managed to pick her steps without the assistance of an arm; nor did M. Laeordaire presume to offer it. The drive back to town was very silent. Mrs. Thompson did make one or two attempts at conversation, but they were not effectual. M. Laeordaire could not speak at his ease till this matter was settl'd, and lie already had begun to perceive that his business was against hirn. Why is it that the trade of a tailor should be loss honorable than that of a h-iberdasher, or even a grocer? They sat next each other at dinner, as usual; and here, as all eyes were up on them, they both made a great struggle to behave in their accustomed way. But even in this they failed. All the world of the Hotel des Ambassadeurs knew that M. Laeordaire had gone forth to make an offvr to Mrs. Thompson, and all that world, therefore, was full of speculation. But all the world could make nothing of it. M. Lacordpire did look like a rejected man, but Mrs. Thompson did qot look like the woman who had rejected him. That the offer had been made in that everybody agreed, from the senior habitue of the house who always sat at the head of the table, down to the junior assistant garcon. But as to reading th riddle, there was no accord among them. When the dessert was done Mrs. Thompson, as usual, withdrew, and M. Lacor ia're, as usual, bowed as he stood lehind Iiis own chair. He did not, however, attempt to follow her. . But when she reached the door, she called him. He was at her side in a moment, and then she whispered in hi ear "And I. also I will be of the same business." When M. Laeordaire regained the table the senior habitue, the junior garcor and all the intermediate ranks of men at the Hotel des Ambassadeurs knew that they might congratulate him. Mrs. Thompson had made a great struggle; but. speaking for myself, I am inclined to think that she arrived at a wise decision. Antony Trollope in N. Y. Sun. OURS MOST TO TlIK DITCH.

I'ow of ew 1'nKlnnd' Culinary Itlcnn Can Ite Traced to Old Bug land. Even in Connecticut was the skill of the Knickerbockers admired, says Harper's Magazine. A new invention or imnrovement was said to "beat the Dutch." The Delft tiles on the hearth, the crockery on the dresser, the blue tiles lining the front of the fireplaces in the best houses show how the Dutch had a part in the evolution of the New England house. Hundreds of open fireplaces in New England were decorated with these tiles after the Dutch fashion, and contained not only "proverbs in porcelain," but abundant biblical illustration. From the evidences of relics, nearly as much of the imported fine furniture in the northern colonics came from Hollard as from England. Not a few of th:i old teapots and other table service, which followed upon the introduction of those oriental hot drinks which drove out the beer and tankards, did indeed come over from Holland, though not on tha Mayflower, as so often anachronistieally alleged. When, itoo, the open fireplace gradually gave way to supposed improvement, it was to a Dutch thing with a Dutch name the stove. Not only in Plymouth, but! elsewhere, numerous houses had what can be occasionally seen throughout New England today (nor by this do we mean the later substitute of tin) a Dutch' oven. It was under this spacious dome of brick and clay that those famous articles of yankee diet, the pumpkin pie, brown bread, baked beans and 'fishbalis had their evolution. Xo smoker of -tobacco In a snow-white meerschaum rejoiced more In his coloring of the sea-foam clay than did the rosy housewives of Massachusetts bay In the rich, hues of bean, bread and fish. The Browning clubs of early days met in the kitchen rather than in the parlor or vendome. The doughnut may have been too cosmopolitan an article to claim invention at the hands of ans one people: yet what yankee "fried cake" or douerhnut ever equaled an olekoek? Was not cruller, whose derivation confounds the dictionary-makers, who call It "a kind or' dougtmut, first brought to perfection by Capt. Kroll (pronounced and sometimes spelled crull). the whilom, commander and Dutch church elder at Ft. Orange? To :his day the "cookey" (koekje), noodles, hodgepodge, smearcase, rullichies, cold slaw, and other dishes that survive in New Kngland farmhouses are, despite their changed pronunciation and spelling, proofs that the yankees enriched their monotonous menu of early colonial days by borrowing the more varied fare of their Dutch neighbors in the west and south. As for the popular American winter breakfast luxury, the buckwheat cake, it was introduced from Central Asia by the Hollanders, acclimated, cultivated, named "beechmast" (bockweit), and in the form associated with heat, sweets, aroma and good-cheer U a Dutch invention. 11 on sell old Noveltle in France. Miss Parloa has found at a food exposition in Paris a new invention of which she highly approves, and that is a soup ladle that ak?s up bouillon or other soup witohout a particle of grease. The little thing costs but 23 cents, and is thus described in Good Housekeeping: "On the outside of the ladle there is a tube which begins near the bottom and enters the handle an Inch from the top. The ladle is slowly put Into the bouillon, but not far enough to make it flow over the top. The bottom of the tube is below the grease line, and the soup flows through it into the ladle free from sediment or greasa. Such an invention is likely to have a wide appreciation by housewives in the land of soups and sauces." Another curious thing seen by Miss Parloa was Ice-cream frozen without ice. Instead, a chemical salt was used with water. The particular advantage of this discovery will be in those places where ice is not to be had. LcKunns of Kiperlenee. Mr. Slimpurse "But why do you Insist that our daughter should marry a man whom she does not like? You married for love, didn't you?" Mrs. Slimpurse "Yes; but that is no reason why I should let our daughter make the same Dlu'ider." N. Y. Weekly. A llnny Year. "Where are you going after you are married, Charley?" Prospective Ilrldegroom "I wish I knew. The dear pirl has so many engagements with the Woman suffrage league that she fears she can't spare the time for a wedding trip." Judge.

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i H 1 ÜB IP Fsr Mm! it External Is Pain Cured in ßn Instant. Let RalirnyH Refl- licllrf le nacil on the first Indication of Pain or 1 11eainrn: If t h rententl with Iinra or Slcknf, the Cure xvill ! mmlc before the family doctor would ordinär i I j- reach the hoime. CUKES TUB WORST PAIN'S in fronone to twenty nrnuies. Nn one hour after reading this Hdvertisnent need any one SUFFER WITH PAIN. ACHES AND PAINS For headache (whether sick or nervous), toothache, neuralgia, rheumatism, lumbago, pains and weaknt-ss in the tMok. solne or Kidneys, pains around the liver, pk-nnsv, swelling- of the Joints, and pains of all kind, the application of Kadway's Heady Relief will a fiord immediate eas.-, and us continued use for a few days eiTt-ct a permanent cure. A CURE FOR ALL Summer Oompisims, DYSENTERY. DIARRHEA, CHOLERA MORBUS. A hnlf to a teaspnful of Iady IMief in a iialf tiiTiblr of ivat.T. r-j.-atel aa often as the discharges continue, and a Annuel saturate! with Ke.oly ;. f place! over the stomach and howls w.!l afford imme'hiite rc-'.ii-f und soon effect ;. cure. In'tTinlly, a half to h te.ii -onf ul in r-a'.t a tumbler rf wit er will i:i a few mitiutrj cure Cramps. Sjuisrns. Sour Stomach. Nanfa, Yorr.itinpr. ) iea rt 1-iiru. Nervousness, S'.on'.e.ivr.es.. Sick Headache, Flatulency, an 1 al! internnl pnlns. Travelers Fh uM always carry a bott!" of Itadway's He.-eiy Relief vi'h tV-m. A few dro;r in wao r j.revi nt ir!n's or pp.ln. fr.-rc chrnie of v;;cr. It is Ix-tiT trnn French 1 r.niiy or bitters as a timuinnt. Mir,?rs and lumbermen s-liould always ba provided with it. R3ALARIA, Chills and Fever, Fever and Ague Conquered. Fever and Are cured f. r Fifty CVnts. There U not a remedial asT.t In this world that w 11 cure I-Vvr and Ague and al! other Malarious, I.lious, and other fevers, (aided by Radway's Pills) sy quickly as Kadway's ReaJy Re'.lof. Fifty Cents Per Bottle. Sold by DriisglnlM. 2533 rat BBta 115 Sarsapariliian da is the only positive cure for Kidney and Rlnddcr t nniplalnts. Urinary and Skin Disaso''. Irave'.. IMa bete.. Dropsy, Stoppage of Yut r, Incontinence cf L'rlne, Hrigiu's lis--ase. Albuminuria, und in all cases v. her tl.re are brick dust d-pos.ts, or the waur is thick, ciotidy, mixed with substances lik. th white of an gg. or threads white s!ik, or there is a morbid, dark, bilious ;vf pearance, and white bone-dust d posits, and when there is a pri?kling. bvr:.:i: sensation when passing water, and p.u;i in tha smal of the back and alons the Ijüis. wonvLAJsr. It is not at all times pleasant or convenient for a lady to consult a physician for every disagreeable or annoying sympvom that may occur. In Ir. Kadway's Sars.ipar.llian. Pills, and Ready Relief as the nature of the ailments indicate a. remedial agent is secured that will at once remove all L.tirmlties, ailment, or sickness that may arise through impaired or disturlieJ functional secretions, be it in Reucorrhoea (Whites), a suppression cf the Menses. Profuse Menstruation, Colorless I-ischarsea, Green Sickness, or Uterine Tumors. Many ladies soem to le rapidly losing flesh and are sensible of a gradual waste without suffering from cough or any marked sign of consumption. They fee melancholy, disheartened, fretful, and fel as if they were alone in the world, whea surrounded with every luxury the heart could wish, and are. indeed, martyrs to preat mental und physical suffering. In thfe case (Melanosis the bile Is misdirected, and. instead of beinir properly recreted by the liver. Is retained and becomes a foreign constituent of th blood. In many cases when this takes place the 6kin becomes of a yellow tinge the eyes yellow and inflamed, and the face covered with black ppots, like worms, etc. Now, if ladka afflicted in this manner will take three or four of Radway's 1111s every ni?ht, and a dessert spoonful of the Sarsaparililaji Resolvent three times per day, a happy change will soon follow: all these ba I symptoms will soon disappear, ajui tn weak, ema-ciated and wasting body will poon become healthy and robust A lady called on me yesterday (iLh of August, 1Sü3i. weight, pounds. s eaid: iLst Starch I left this city to go home to die; when I arrived at hom 'Roehestert I was nothing but Bkin and bone no appc-tite. no spirits, no sleep, bnt cold sweats and nervous trembling. I raw your book called Talss and True.' and ßl once commenced usir.i? vour remedies. I used 1111 4. 5. 6. then 5. 4, 3 2 In this order every nljrbt. The pxcrements that came from me were l:k clotted blood. I took the farsaparllliaa llesolvent at firt three times per day. then four, then five time per d.y and had my Fplne rubbed three times per week, witi the Ready Relief. After usinj these madJctnes one month I was a new woman. I grained in. flesh rapidly, my spirits becam buoyant, appetite Rood, and my menses regular that is wh;k. your medJcina taa done for me!" IR. KADW'AY-Havinp pome experience of your medicines. I take this opportunity of writing you a few lines to let you know of its work. I have a married da.UKhter living near Vandalla. 111.: she became afflicted with the womb disease; she tried two doctors there without success; she came back home: I pot two doctors to examine her and one said that he thought she could be cured, the other thought not; came back home in despair. Some month after she wrote me a letter; she was well and hearty from th" ue of your tnollHne.!. ana Lean, THOMAS OUA-tiCOCK. Leaman Corner. Ind. One bottle contains more of the actlva principle of medicine than any other preparation. Taken in tea-poonful doses, whil others require five or six times as much. Sold by druggists. Price $1. ALWAYS RELIABLE. PURELY VEGETABLE. Perfectly tasteless, elegantly coated, purge, regulate. purify, cleanse and strengthen. Radway's Pills for the cure of all disorders of the Stomach, bowel, Kidneys. Madder. Nervous TXseases, Dizzl ness. Vertigo, Costlveness, Piles, si civ m:o .cm:. FUMALK t'OMPHIT. HiLiorsxnss, IXniGCSTIOX. DVSrEPS! . t'OXSTIPATIOX. And nil niSOHOKHS nt (lie IJVKU. PERFECT DIGESTION will be accompllshcd by taking Radway's Pills. Rv their ANTI-RILIOl'S properties they stimulate the liver in the secretion of the bile and its discharge through the biliary ducts. These pills in doses of from two to four will quickly repulate the action of the liver and free the patient from these disorders. One or two- of Radway's Pills, taken dally by those subject to bilious pains and torpidity of the liver, will keep the system regular and secure healthy digestion. Price a.- pr Ilo. Sold ty IlrmcKlntn, or rnt Ir mall. Send to DR. RADWAY CO.. Lock Box

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I 305. New York, for Cook of Advice.