A FRENCH ROMANCE.

Southland Times, Issue 966, 10 June 1868, Page 2

A FRENCH ROMANCE.

A few months ago a young shopman in one of the leading houses in Paris saw a young lady enter, to whom, during the past eight or ten days, he had sold a number of dresses, shawls, gloves, etc. By her accent, he surmised that she must be a New Yorfc lady. The stranger was vevy pretty, and naturally the young man made himself agreeable and attentive. Whenever she visited t v .e shop, she addressed herself to him ; and while examining the articles he placed before her, talked much. The day we speak of, she was less communicative than usual ; and after having made a somewhat hurried selection, she said to the clerk, " I shall be at my hotel in an hour j here is the address. Be kind enough to accompany the porter when he brings those articles." With these words, she bowed reservedly, and hastily left the shop. The young man was at a loss what to think. However an hour later he entered the apartment of the American lady, who invited him, without ceremony, like an acquaintance of long standing, to lunch with her. Although thinking his customer's manners somewhat strange, the clerk accepted. While partaking ot the repast, the lady somewhat abruptly addressed he guest, saying, " Sir, you are

gallant enough to protect a woman agains any insult to which she might be subjected ? Answer me with truth and candor." " Without conceit, I say yes," answered the young man. " Very well. You work in order to make money. Is it not so ?" " Certainly.', " This is what I wish to propose. lam alone, or almost alone, in the world ; my fortune or my actions concern no one but myself ; I wish to see the exhibition and know Paris. But I perceive that there is nothing more difficult than for a woman to be in your country without a protector. You please me, and if you do not object, you shall be my companion. I will repay you for your lost time. The young man tried to speak, but she immediately resumed, " I insist on remunerating you ; this is strictly a matter of business, I regard it in that light. Accept or decide. "What shall it be?" "I accept," answered the clerk, after a moment's hesitation. "I am satisfied," continued the stranger, " that you are an honorable young man, and will not make yourself ridiculous by making love and flattering me, for I warn you that the very first compliment you offer me ends our contract. Is it agreed ?" " Madam, I am at your service." " From to-morrow?" "From this moment; I require only time to write to my employers." And the terms of this extraordinary compact were entered in the letter. The clerk was charming ; he proved himself intelligent, attentive, delicate, without all that Smalltalk which men generally delight to inflict on women. In fact, the American lady was truly delighted with the choice she had made. A fortnight afterward she handed the aimable clerk a roll of bank notes, and they separated, mutually pleased with each, other. But it happened that, as the lady was about to proceed to England, thence to embark for America, a commissioner hastened towards her and inquired if she was Miss K. Upon her answering in the aflirmative, he placed a small box and a letter in her hand. The box contained a set of diamonds, the letter a few words only, but so well chosen to express true affection that the young lady started, not for London, but back to her hotel in Paris. It is needless to say that the letter was from the young clerk, who had taken this method of returning the money forced upon him by the young lady for service rendered. She sent to inquire for him. He had not given his address, and he had not returned to his former employer. Ultimately she learned that he had taken in another house a situation far inferior to the one he had formerly occupied. She wrote ; he came at once. They were soon afterward married.