nced at her out of the
corner of my eye with a certain malevolent surprise. However, she was
not ugly--far from it. I said to myself: 'There is some one who won't
laugh every day.'

"She did not look at me once until, the evening, and she did not say a
single word.

"Toward the middle of the night I entered the bridal chamber with the
full intention of letting her know my resolutions, for I was now master.
I found her sitting in an armchair, fully dressed, pale and with red
eyes. As soon as I entered she rose and came slowly toward me saying:
'Monsieur, I am ready to do whatever you may command. I will kill myself
if you so desire.'

"The colonel's daughter was as pretty as she could be in this heroic
role. I kissed her; it was my privilege.

"I soon saw that I had not got a bad bargain. I have now been married
five years. I do not regret it in the least."

Pierre Letoile was silent. His companions were laughing. One of them
said: "Marriage is indeed a lottery; you must never choose your numbers.
The haphazard ones are the best."

Another added by way of conclusion: "Yes, but do not forget that the god
of drunkards chose for Pierre."

THE UNKNOWN

We were speaking of adventures, and each one of us was relating his
story of delightful experiences, surprising meetings, on the train, in
a hotel, at the seashore. According to Roger des Annettes, the seashore
was particularly favorable to the little blind god.

Gontran, who was keeping mum, was asked what he thought of it.

"I guess Paris is about the best place for that," he said. "Woman is
like a precious trinket, we appreciate her all the more when we meet her
in the most unexpected places; but the rarest ones are only to be found
in Paris."

He was silent for a moment, and then continued:

"By Jove, it's great! Walk along the streets on some spring morning. The
little women, daintily tripping along, seem to blossom out like flowers.
What a delightful, charming sight! The dainty perfume of violet is
everywhere. The city is gay, and everybody notices the women. By Jove,
how tempting they are in their light, thin dresses, which occasionally
give one a glimpse of the delicate pink flesh beneath!

"One saunters along, head up, mind alert, and eyes open. I tell you
it's great! You see her in the distance, while still a block away; you
already know that she is going to please you at closer quarters. You
can recognize her by the flower on her hat, the toss