A Complete Story

New Zealand Tablet, Volume LII, Issue 37, 30 September 1925, Page 9

A Complete Story

MARIE ROSE AND ROSE MARIE

i’lvf Marie Rose and Rose Marie Blondeau were twins, simple village maidens, very fair and § comely, if not absolutely beautiful. They always wore the costume of the Norman peas- | ant, which suited them to perfection. The white cap on the neatly plaited hair, the little cape around the shoulder, and the black velvet apron. Their father was a well-to-do farmer and their mother an excellent housewife, so their home was a happy one. Marie Rose was an exceedingly unselfish personality, she never appeared to think of herself; others with her were always first. She was a great help and comfort to her ' parents, as she Was always ready to undertake any duty or work for them. Marie Rose was the first to rise in the morning and the last to go to bed at night, and was always a faithful attendant, at morning Mass. The neighbors would say of her; “That’s a good girl. The man who marries her will make no mistake. It may be a different story with Rose Marie.” Rose Marie was probably the better-look-ing of the twins. Physically she was the weaker of the two, and had. been perhaps on this account more petted. She was inclined to be selfish and less considerate than her sister. Marie Rose and Rose Marie had passed their twentieth birthday, and people had begun to wonder why there was no rumor of approaching marriage. It is true that many suitors had hovered round the rosebuds, but were not deemed acceptable. ' Martin and Annette Blondeau had very strict ideas as to the sort of husbands they would like for their daughters. Their decision was that no one need present himself for the hand of either Rose Marie or Marie Bose save he was pious, industrious, and from the same part of the country. Great worldly prosperity they did not ask. These good parents only desired a continuance of the comfortable home of childhood for their children. They were in no hurry to part with their company. Marie Rose and Rose Marie were in no way anxious either to change their state in life. They were •quite contented, and their hearts had not been touched so far. However, there was one who was not satisfied at there being no sign of a wedding, and this, was Mademoiselle Jeanne Alain, who _ was godmother to the twins, and their nearest neighbor. She was a thoroughly kindhearted old soul, a trifle of. a busybody perhaps, but ever ready to do a friendly turn when opportunity brought it in her way. Her constant thought was how she could find a- husband for one of the twins. They were too pretty and too useful to go “on the shelf,” and besides, if one were married another wedding would surely follow. One evening as Mademoiselle Alain was - sitting by the fire she suddenly remembered 'X that the son of an old friend who lived some ‘distance away might be an eligible partner Pbr one of the twins. Pierre Guillemain had much to offer. Brought up by excellent par-

cuts, there was no doubt as to his piety • he was well-to-do, and a pleasing type of young fellow.. But all was not settled by merely thinking of Pierre’s attractions. Would he come to visit the Blondeau family? And if he did who would be his bride? Would it be Marie Bose or Bose Marie? All this remained to be seen ; but Mademoiselle Alain was determined to do her best as a matchmaker. With this intention in view, she one day made her way to the straw-thatched farmhouse which stood on the top of a high hill, the residence of Madame Guillemain and her son. The two friends were not long together when Mademoiselle Alain introduced the subject, so dear to her heart, that Pierre should take unto himself a wife. His mother listened for a while and then spoke words of agreement. She was beginning to feel she would like to have a •daughter-in-law to help her in the work of the house. Pierre, however, seemed obstinate. None of the girls he had met in the neighborhood so far seemed to attract him. Pierre is becoming a confirmed old bachelor,” said his mother. “We shan’t let him be that,” was Mademoiselle Alain’s vigorous reply. “I have a pleasing bride in view for him.” She then gave an attractive description of the twins and their many virtues to Madame Guillemain. “But Pierre cannot marry the two,” interrupted the old woman. “I must see their photographs, so that I can give my opinion as to which of the two girls I consider would bo the better wife for Pierre.” Mademoiselle Alain started for home, quite pleased with her morning’s work, although she knew a difficulty lay before her regarding the photograph of the twins. However, she would make an effort and do what she could to secure Pierre Guillemain for one of her godchildren. Pierre had many things to make him an acceptable suitor. He was pious, industrious, and endowed with a pleasing appearance; but Jeanette Alain knew that enumerating all these good points might not obtain the desired portrait from Monsieur and Madame Blondeau, It . was not without hesitation, therefore, that she turned.into Madame Blondeau’s to make the proposition that she would allow her to take the picture of Bose Marie and Marie Bose to Madame Guillemain, A very decided-“no” was the only answer that she could draw from Monsieur and Madame Blondeau. “We are old-fashioned people,” Martin Blondeau exclaimed; “we will certainly not allow our daughters’ photo to be taken round as a bait for a husband.” Madame Blondeau was equally determined that the picture of her daughters would not be given for inspection. Mademoiselle Alain took leave of ■ her friends without being in the slightest way disheartened; she felt somehow that she would

attaiu her desire regarding the photograph. She had gone only a few steps on the walk “j------by the side of the house, which was her shortest way home, when a strong wind, al~?|| most a gale, arose. Mademoiselle Alain heard the flutter of a blind or curtain. Looking up she saw two objects falling to the ground, evidently knocked out by the stirring 'i; of the curtain. One was a pin-cushion, the other a photo frame. • Mademoiselle Alain picked up the hitter, £ and joy of joys, i-t was the wished-for picture of Marie Bose and Bose Marie. It would # not be much harm, she decided, to make ;i] her own of the photograph for a short time; .... it had, indeed, fallen into her hands and Ashe wanted to keep it for a very good reason. When the picture had been viewed, she would surely return it to its original destination. Accordingly, Mademoiselle Alain did not delay in having her pony harnessed so that :> she could at once visit Madame Guillemain again. She had a pleasant drive and felt • quite exhilarated when she reached her destination, and was quite to find Pierre Guillemain standing at the door of the farm. Pierre greeted his mother’s old friend warmly and at once* offered to take her pony and trap to the stable. Mademoiselle Alain smiled at the young - fellow, lie made a pleasing picture as he stood before her in all the radiant glory of youth. She then said: “I have something interesting to show you, Pierre.” She went into the house, and was welcomed by Madame Guillemain. “I have brought the photo,” Mademoiselle cried; “1 am certain you will like the girls.” When Pierre returned he found his mother ■ with the photo in her hands. She at once said to her son : “See here, Pierre, this is the picture of two friends of ‘ inn taute Jeannette,’ ” the name always given by Pierre to Mademoiselle > Alain. “She speaks well- of both girls as a future wife for you, my son. Which do you ■ prefer?” Pierre -took the photo from his mother, and Mademoiselle Alain remarked as he did so: “It is a very true likeness.” After a moment’s silence the young man,'!* laying his finger on the portrait- of Bose Marie, said: ‘ “I think this one pleases me most.” Rose Marie had thought more about hav- * ing the picture taken than Marie Rose, i 1 consequently her hair was more pleasingly—— arranged, and her cape was more gracefully % put on than her sister’s. y’\V ; ' V ■ !| Mademoiselle, Alain then asked Madame Guillemain which she- preferred, but the d latter’s reply was : tj “That is my son’s affair; he must choose.” % Before Mademoiselle Alain left the farm- ? house it was arranged that Pierre should go over to her on the following Sunday after- y noon to be introduced 'to the twins. Mademoiselle returned home in a gleeful * mood; she had, she thought, accomplished a .; good day’s work. One fear alone' troubled*i| her, and that was how she should place the photo in its original position. • 4 , However, even...that difficulty was over-V* come, as the Blondeau family were out when A

; Mademoiselle Alain reached their house. As she was such a staunch friend it did not surprise the old, servant to see her entering to wait for the return of the master and mistress. Opportunity was thus given for the restoration of the photograph to its original ‘ position withoutshe thought—anyone having missed it. >l'g In this she was mistaken, for Rose Marie had noticed its absence; and as she was very observant she also had overheard some words of conversation between Mademoiselle Alain and her mother, and had quickly taken in

LEWISHAM HOSPITAL ART UNION rr i CLOSES 24th OCTOBER XI that there was question of a prospective husband. Later on she learned that he was expected to visit Arles on the coming Sunday. At once Rose Marie determined that she would be the bride. With this decision firmly implanted in her mind, she determined to doff her peasant’s costume, and coax her mother to purchase a more attractive city dress for her. A Anything Rose Marie desired she generally managed' to get, and so she secured her mother’s consent to purchase a smart white frock, made in jumper style, a pair of highheeled shoes, and a smart hat. Somehow' the get-up did not suit her. The hat hid Rose Marie’s beautiful hair. I When her father saw’ her he remarked. “I like you best, my child, in your everyday attire.” Pierre Guillemain came to the farmiiour-e, and was introduced by Mademoiselle Alain to the twins, but he at once thought to himself, on looking at Rose Marie, “I made a big mistake; I prefer the other sister.” When he entered into conversation with Marie Rose he found he was right in his last decision, as in her simple peasant attire, combined with her gentle, unassuming manner, Marie Rose w as indeed a winsome maiden. Rose Marie’s costume did not suit her; she felt this, and, being out of sorts, she was not at her best. Two months later there was a pretty wedding at Arles, on which occasion Marie Rose Blondeau left the altar the bride of Pierre Guillemain. —Canadian Messenger of the Sacred Heart. „

No one knows his strength in peace. If there be no combat we cannot give proof of our virtues.St.. Gregory.-