Argosy, September 1955 — page 67: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

BRANDY FOR THE COLONEL 65 sacred that this new proposition was unthinkable, and he hastily put it from his mind. In the house, Julie passed him on her way to bed and she looked as though her soul had drained away through her eyes. The idea forthwith returned. But the Colonel said to himself—It is impossible that I, a native of Aurance-sur-Cher, an officer and gentleman of France should do this—at least not until I have explored every other avenue. He then steeled himself to set about this exploration. His first approach he made directly to Héloise the next morning. ‘““My dear,’ he said to her, for he had never left off the excel- lent habit of addressing her affectionately, “I wish to speak to you about Julie. Her heart is breaking for Michel Bavasc, the house-painter, an excellent fellow but ambitious, who is willing to marry her—provided of course her dowry is available—so that he may pursue his studies in Paris and become a famous artist. Do he you not think it would be a kindness on your part to release these rate funds, over which you have kept such a scrupulous watch, so : mat. ‘“‘ Francois,” his wife interrupted with a loud sniff, “‘ don’t be a fool. And do not meddle with matters that are no concern of yours.” She fixed him with eyes which, due no doubt to the thickness of the lenses through which she peered, had narrowed down to mean and gimlet size, giving her a most forbidding air. ‘Where else will you find someone to work without pay, if Julie leaves to marry? Do you expect me perchance to live here ___-with my own house falling down about my ears and do the drud- ~ hh gery as well—I, the daughter of a General? Pheu! She shall have her money when she is twenty-five and not a minute sooner.” She sniffed again and then added spitefully, “‘ By then she will be on her way to becoming an old maid and content to remain with us.” Colonel Bobet thought that long before that time little Julie might well choose to become the bride of the placidly flowing river Cher at the end of the garden, but he did not say this to his wife. Recognizing that Héloise was not to be budged in the matter and, on the contrary, had no scruples about ruining the child’s life for her own selfish ends, he did not pursue the subject. Instead, he prepared to make the second call that was necessary before he should for ever stain his honour with the blackest apostasy of which a man in his circumstances was capable. Pocketing his pride, he forthwith paid a visit to Monsieur le Marquis d’Aurac, for, like all the rest of Aurance-sur-Cher, he comicbooks.conn ENE RL OAS aaa TO ane ee