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Show A MODERN PORTIA. Count" Madeline linitat.d Sliake.peare'. H.poinft with Iniprov.iuauta. London Tit Hits. With a gesture expressive of firm resolution., as if the affair was quite settled, the Countess Madeline pointed to her lacquered Japanese c.tbi'i-t that shimmered in tba laLupligit. and said very gravely: "Open one of those three drawers, Valentine, and be sure that you choose tho right ouo. Enoli drawer coutaius an answer to tho prayer which you have addressed to mo for the past bix months. If you open tha which contains the answer 'Yes' I will bo yours, and Piarry you as soon as you please. Put take care that you do not get tho wrong answer, for if you do you will never see me again." "Alas!" said Valentine, "there are two chances to one agaiugt me. How cruel you are, my darling!" "Well," said the countess, "If I niarrv you I can at least lay the blame on fate." The young man hesitated along time. Ilis hand wandered from drawer to drawer, not venturing to touch any, and his heart sank with the fear of choosing w rongly. At last he shut his eyes ami opened'a drawer at hazard. Oh, rapture! the little piece of pink paper when unfolded, disclosed to his glad eyes tho exquisite word "Yes." In testacy he clasped blushing Madeline in his arms and covered her face with kisses. She could not deny hira now without a disgraceful violation of her promise. Hut Madeline was an upright person, who always kept her word, and so he was soon able to call her his wife. Still, even amid the raptures of the honeymoon, Valentine was not entirely happy. At times a gloomy expression appeared ou his brow and in his eyes. "Ungrateful man!" sighed Madeline. "You are not yet satislied. What is the matter?" T am troubled about something. "About what?" 'I owe nif w ife to chance, not to her own inclination." He remained pensive for a t rue, while she looked smilingly at him. Suddenly she broke into a merry laugh. "Stupid man!" sha cried. "Don't vou see that I put the same answor in all three diawers?" |