New York Clipper (Oct 1883)

470 THE NEW YOUK CXIPPEH. October "WHEN THE OURTAI N RISES." wums ro» rua »nr ton ourm. Eark I <ba bonr li itrlklnc; elgbt o'elook ii b«n. Now look H tb» pwplo u ibsj tut npeu- BappruP*<<*''oi> wTitteo on «ich tie* Aa tb« oDrtaln rtaap, eub oos In bii pliea. Vowth»IidletilnK*rtiniof lowlrhw, And tbdrbrlRbt eju ipwU*, be thtf bluk or bin*. CbAlDlDg (ll wbo Tlflw Uum, g»r onei or Mdils, ffhm tbe eorUlD risu u tbe dock iMke* elgbt I*e I tbe merrr arcblsi In tbe nllety bigb Mow ire ill ittenUon-li notpleienre olgb T And wbit tUDons ictor 'mid bU weU^uned Jor Bat cm teel lb« bippler to hire pleued • boy? Some toUi like tbe mlnitreli; lome prefer tbe plAjr; Others Uke tbe opera or tbe drcoi iny; Bnt tbrongbont tbe conotry, eicb recnrrug nlgbt, "Wben tbe enrUIn rlW li • pleuut ilgbt. Ah I bnt tbli nine cnrtiin. wben the oloek itrlkee eight, Conid It tell eacb penon of ble fotnre tite t How iome will gilo rlcbM, olbert j»l giln heeltti. Or be Oood SiniirlUui*—better tir thin weillh. XlUD WfT.T.wn THE SEALED LIPS: A PARISIAN ROMANCE. BT FORTDNE D0 BOISOOBET. nuHLino ixrinii.T fob the raw toii oupni, BT PAUL PRESTOH. PART SECOND. CHATTER in.—COKTlllUIU. Wllh gloved binds the gentlemin ilrledTbereie to irlie, and ■nppoTtedberilmoitwlt^ontconlictwltbbtr fimme. It needed bat little more to reiunie her, ind ebe loon renuned com- ponice laffloleat to give in leeonnt of tbe ittempted ibdaotlon. "I im delighted it ridding joo, midime, of tbeae Tlllilni. I biTe tsu^t them inch • Immd tbit tbey will not retam. BtlU, yon ire ilone, ind itthli boor tbl* qnirter la deserted. I will eicort yon to roar honjie, iboold yon dnlre It." "I leoept yonr offer, elr, ind think yon for coming to my latlelance. Uod knows wbit the iconndrels wonld biTO done to ma, end I tremble leit they bive ittuked someone wilt- ing for me In Ibis street." "I BW no one," sild tbe nun with i hilt imlle—"Itait la to HIT, I only Biw yonriaasllints, ind they ire beyond power of doing yon hirm. One bis lied, bnt the other renulns here, indTl think, won't more torsome lime." "Ah I bwTeDsl he's desdl" nolilmed Therese, M she per- catred i man lying almost at her feet npon the paTemenL She recoiled In horror as aha Imiglned thit It might be Andie. The stringer bent OTSr the fillen Tlllain, shook blm, and, npon finding that be did not atlr, aald: "I don't think blm to be dead, bnt very near It." "He mnat be attended to," aald Tbereae with animation. "We cannot abandon blm." "How, madame. Interest yonrself In a aconndiel wbo wonld bare wrenght yon Injaryl His comrades will care tor him. And now It wlU be wise not to tarry In this nnsafe place." "Ton are right, sir. I dwell close by. In a few momenta yon will be free to contlnne yonr way. and I can lend help to tbia nntortnnite man." The stranger offered hla arm, and ahe leaned npon IL "My carriage la at yonr dlspoaal," be aald, pointing to a two- borse conpe which had stopped In the middle of tbe roadway. "Itlsnaeleaa. We can walk." "As yon desire, madame. Only allow me to aand my coaoh man a alight dialance off, aa It la nnneceaaary tor him to see yon." The coachman was within aoond of hla Tolce, "Advance, npon a walk, to the Place dltallel" eiolalmed the ffliatn'- And tbe well-trained domestle eieenled tbe order Immedl' ately. Therese was embarrassed to resnme oonTersation, aa a partial gleam of truth dawned on her. "Ttaa letter by me received," she tbongbt, "was a false one, written by mother'a enemy, and, Inatead of expressing gratl- Inde to tbe conrsoeona man naklng hla lite In my preserva- tion, I treat blm coldly. What most be think of mer' Then the yonng laoy deemed It to be har duty to resnme converaatlon the flivt. "Sir," she said with feeling, "forgive me for omission of my dnty. My mother will shortly retnm thanks to yon in per- son, and In the meanwhile may I soUolt the name of my pre- aarver}" "My name la of no oonaequence. I eeteem myaelf favored In having extricated yon from a dangerons tltnatlon. Bbould I seek to meet you again I wonld donbtleaa worry yon, and I pray you, madame, to place abaolnle reliance npon my dis- cretion." "Ton atyle me midame. I am not married." ■Tmlyf Pardon me, I bad Imagined " "That an unmarried girl wonld not have ventured alone, and at night from home, and yon ought to have a bad opinion of me. I will explain " "I orlmlnate yon not, mademolaaUe, and, furthermore, I have no right to adjudicate.'' "Bat I hive one to Justify; yet not here, elr," relolned Tbereao irlth earnestness. "Mother baa perchance perceived my absence, and I cannot leave her In nneaslneas. Ton will not refuse to enter tbe house with me J" "Tour pardon, mademolelle; your mother la nnac4iaalnted with me. and I dread " "What I Inqnialtlveneaa 7 Atler what has oconned, pro- priety and eetaollabed Uf ages go for nothing. I can In person present my preserver, and mother would not forgive me tor retomlng wfthont him." And, as the preserver appeared not "Uademolsene, yon alone can entirely convinced of tbe propriety o2 the visit, ane added. "Do you not undentand that It la a favor I request f and ahe bent npon him her tearful eyea, They bad reached a gaallght, and both conld tor the Hist time diatlngulsh features. Tbereae perceived her deliverer to be a very flue gentleman. "Mademoiselle," aald the atranger, "I am wholly at yonr command. I will relate, ahonld yon eo deeire, to yonr mother alllbaveaeen. But," he added with a smile, "I can relate that only, and I fear that ahe will not be contont with my per* aonal explanation." "I hide nothing from my mother, air," obaerved Therese with animation. '1 did not forewarn her of my going out, and I will reveal tbe reason for ao doing in your presence, as I do not deairo you to entertain a bad opinion of me," "Aa you pleaao, mademolaelle, Tou can the beat appreciate thasltnatlon." "Oomo, then. We are already beblndtlme." At some ten pacaa from tbe villa the stranger alopped npon percelvlnga man opening tho gate leading to It, andoloalng It bastUy. Therese likewise atopped, The man advanced to the middle of the roadway, and looked about blm, evidently In aeiroh of aomebody. "Walt here, mademolaelle, until I aaoertaln who la thla In- dividual." "Dnleia,"'ejaculatad tbe young lady attar a moment's heel- tatlon, "1 know nim, He comes out of the garden. He la a tilend of my mother." "Blouse my error; I see assailants everywhere. Wonld It not be belter, madomolselle, to allow this gentleman to pasa on before we enterT Tou may not like to be aeen by blm,'' "No," retamed Therese.afler rofleotlon; "I prefer addreas- lug him in the first place, as mother may be surprised at yonr prosenoe, and I can explain to her friend." "Ton know your buslnees best, mademoiselle," murmnred the atranger, seemingly relnolant to be fnestloned by tbe friend. "Moreover, we have no time to avoid him," resumed tho girl. "Bee I he la coming to na." In tact, be bad peroelved them, and was approaoblng aom«- what hurriedly. "It Is II" eiolalmed Uadamoselle Valdlen. "Too, Thereael What are yon doing heref "Ton see, I am returning home." "I knew not that yon had gone out, and yonr motbor be- lieves you to be abed." The two men confronted and examined each other attentively, "If I am not miataken,"aald theatrangor, "I have tbe honor o( speaking to tbe Commandant D'Arbob.'' "Bowl that you 1" responded Oontran In istonlsment "It straok me that I recognized you, biit I could ecaroe oredlt my eyea, my dear Baron. In Ikct, I am bewildered." . "And I ll\ewlae/' mnrmnred the Baron, whom Qontian bad not aa yet named. "Mot more than I am, tor I have spoken to you of my bonlO' vard friends, and It Is not surprising to moot me before their 5ardiin-gaU>, Moreover, HademoIaeTIe Taldlon aould have In. ormodyonuto leaving ma a tutlt hour alaoe In her mother's parlor." I'MademolseUe Taldleur repeated the Baron. "Is this the Isdy I had the honor of ^—" He was npon the point of saying "rescuing," but, as this nccessltalad a narraUon from the girl of bar Mfvantnre, be modllled his txpiMsloni "Th* konor of maeUng." , . . "Uow I of meetingT WhereT Upon thebon}ev*tdl Here Is an explanation, mr- doar Bandal, uhlch (o me explains nothing, and U aeema Out we are flaying kt otots-pupoaas." Then be addressed Therese; solve this connndmm." . ^ i "II Is simple," answered the yonng lady readily. "lUa ! gantlemao baa saved my life." „ . . 'Inndeistandltlaasandlsas. My dear Tbaieaa, how came yonr life to be In danger V . . . . ^ "Tell blm, sir," said the girl, addressing ber detandar. wbo tbla Ume conld not lefuae 1o tbrow light npon the dloatlon. Conseanently, be related how, npon ntnmlngtrom adlnnar> party, he bad become an Involuntary witness of Tbareae's attempted abdncUon. _ _ "I mast oompteta tbe explanatton," qnoth Tbareaa. "WhOa I waa walking m the garden thla evening a Isttsr waa handed me—" "Have a care," Intamptsd the Commindint. "It yon have aecrels, oonBde them to yonr mother." "Mods S'Aiboli Is correct," observed BindiL "If yon wUl allow me, I will pay my reapeoli to thla yonng ladv'i mother, and then take my leave tor a revisit to-morrow—uat Is, pro- vidsd I receive anthorlzation." "That Is the Idea," said Oentran enlbnalaatlcally, aa be an- ticipated annoyance from premature revelations. "We will 0 Into tbe bouse withont loss of time, otherwise we will find be door closed. I left yonr mother, Tbereae. with yonr gov- ereoa, prqiarlng to retire, and Mademolaelle Ondule wlU abortly desesndinto thegarden to dose tbegatefrom within." 'Be II sol" rejoined MademolssUe Valdlsn. "I ifiU precede yon. Still, promise not to leave tMfore seeing mamma. "I have no inclination to do so. Tbsrese and Mont. De Bandal will assuredly not refuse to accompany me." I reckon npon it,'' said the girl, running to the door, which she opened. "Parbleu I dear Baron, chance works wonden," exclaimed the Commandant "I spoka to you of Madame De Lonls, and here yon have extricated her daughter out of a dllBcuH situa- tion. I desired to Introduce you, and behold I yon have intro- duced yourself, and in a manner to extort more than a wel- come reception." ■1 could deaerre nothing better." returned the Baron, "and esteem myself fortunate in eecaping a formal preeentatlon. This adventure has ssrved me well." ■Ton should be astonished," said Oontran, "at finding a young tirl thns situated. I un not at present prepared to ex- plain why she was ont at an hour when those of her age re- main beneath a mother'a wing. Still. I ahall learn all about It, and pledge my word to teU yon the truth conoeming this escapade." "I think that I can guess it Ton informed me ss to her mother's having an enemy. Mademolaelle Taldlen apoke of receiving a letter." "Written, ncdonbtedly," chimed in Oontran, "bv that enemy. Upon what pretext she was allowed ont of doors I cannot Imsglne. Letter* have rained npon ns all day; Therese received one, sending her to HadameBe Lorrls' house In Paris, whsrein she bad never before set foot, and where ahe learned what her mother bad been." "She would have lamed It sooner or liter." "Aasnredly, ind the evil produced Rood. Jeanne Immedi- ately and definllely renonnced the life ahe had been leading. She baa come to inhabit thla Utile home, wherein her daughter has dwtlt since the faonrof ber birth, and ont of which ahe never baa gone ungnarded." "Tbe eltnatlon la, then, dear, and the enemy baa tendered Mademoiselle Taldlen a eervlca." "If such be yonr opinion,! do not regret having spoken of her to yon. Ton will see ber mother, f announced yonr vtalt for to-mnrrow, as authorized by you. She does not expect you to-night, and we will find her under exoltament I am nonetheless certain that ihe will wslcome you. Only make the Interview short." "That Is exactly my Intention." "We will not Inform Tbereae of my Intention to have Intro- duced yon. That Is an Important point. Everything would go Itidly should she anppose me to support yonr candidacy. 1 have not mentioned yon to her. She neither knowa who you are nor how I came toknowyou.Tbistsan euentlal con- dition for sueceas In our project, should you design Its pur- suit Should ahe 1mm that we act la concord In opening re- lations with her mother, her mind Is ao active that ahe would at once Imagine our having prepared In concert the act of ber aalvaUon from tbr<at>ned violence." "That wonld have been a difllonlt invention," aald Bandal with a tmlle. "I mean to say that bad yon not planned in advance this work of her reaene, you could not nave succeeded. Let na atrlke while the Iron's hot, and not allow the girl's enthusUam to subside." Bandal nodded scqnieacencc, "Come, let ua enter without further delay," said Oontran, pushing open the garden.gate. The doois, as well as ue windows, were open, ss on that evening everything was changed, for the inmates ordinarily re- tired to rest at ten o'dook. Consequently, Oontran and bis companion could easily penetiale Into tbe parlor, where their appearance created a seniatlon, Jeanne Valdlen, her daughter and Oudulewere elandlng in agroup, alltalklngatonce. The goveraeas appeared the most animatwl, and Oontran immedi- ately comprehended that ebe was indulging in useless Invect- ives sgalnat Therese'e Imprudence, while the girl msde avowala without deigning to defend her conduct. Jeanne was pale and much excited. "My dear friend," aald the Commandant "here la tbe Baron De Randal, who did not expect to aee yon to-day. I bad all the trouble Imaginable to drag him bluer, as he desired to escape the expreeslons of gratitude ve owe him." "Excuse me, madame, tor having succnmlied to Mons.D'Ar- bols' persuasions," interposed the Baron with the esse of a man of the world. "I oomprehended that yon would desire to bealonewlthyonr daughter, and woold not Intmde, bad I tear of Impoliteness." "I knew you would come," said Theresa eamesUy. "Ton promised me yon would." That young lady had resumed her composure ind looked fixedly at Bindil, in lot whioh the Commandant Interpreted u tavoreble to the Baron, announcing that Thereee'a heart would aoon be captured, If It bad not already been. Jeanne appeared less oharmed, and Oontran Imagined Bandal to In- spire her with atn onrloalty than aympatby. Tet he thought if to Im a first impreaalon, capable of fading away. He was not deceived. Tbe gentleman Immediately discovered ihe keynote. "Msdime," he resumed, addressing Jeanne, "I am pro- toundly touched by my reception, and I stncerdy trust to be permitted to revisit yon with my friend Mona. D'Arbols; bnt at this moment It wonld be Indiscreet forms longer to tres- pass npon yonr Ume." Jeanne sought to Invent some poUahed sentence In response to this opening compliment but 11 came net to her mind, "I bave, moreover," contlnned the Baron, "another motive for taking my leave. I bave atraok down one of the raacala at- tacking your daughter by a rude blow, and he remaina upon the pavement Even I fear I may have Ullsd tbe man, wben I must sonender to jusHoc" '■To juatlcef That will be serious, and I think yon are not bonndtodo ao. Mooneaawthelnddent,wasltnotsof" ■■Mo one save hla accomplice, who took to fight My driver was there, bnt too far off to see tbe transaction with accuracy." '■Then I conalder It to be wholly uadeaa to beatow a thought upon the rapscallion." "However, should It become known " '■I am certain that Madame Valdlen Is of my opinion," said Oontran, glancing npon Jeanne, wbo replied by an afflrmatlv* nod. "Thtiik, my dear fellow," ho resumed, "how yon will be compdied to relate what attracted you to the scene, and yon will be compelled to invent k Ivlng story or to bring Mad- emoiselle Valdlen Into notoriety. "Bather than do that I would aUnd an iccuaatlon for mnr- der," aald Randal feelingly, "And probably I had better ab- alaln from researohea," "Certainly, If the wretch be dead," eatd Tbereae, who had llatened attenUvely^ ■'But if he la only wonnded, I do not want him to he abandoned in a helpleaa condition. There- )BER a«j. axchange^nHP* I. Uonent, I chaiga myself with rsmoval of ber prejn- nel«bbor to the right and to tbe left who I If nonkanoe shs has any aolnat yon. which I can Andre conrtaoot sslalatlans.. ^uSSm^i^^t^.^i^m.'' "And.-eontlnoedOontran •'wbereareyon.Handair Bmdal denartad. apnaienUy In hasia to tonnlnala a oonver- The Baron, who hid dropped to the rear, tdviocad. muu ■tlon wbli^rto telf the tmth, little served hU purposes. In a low tone: Oontran waa to a hurry to qoettlon Therese. and he returned "I drew up to let the gTOt'oman itonnUy Into Ihe parlor. He sainted, like the rest. poUlely, and even with some show "It Is nndanlood7" he said; "Bandal takes charge of every- of enthusiasm, bnt Andre returned hla aalntatlon with an ley tUng, and we can rely npon him. The seoundiel he kno^ed | coldness. down will not die In the street like a dog, and nobody will be eompiomlsed. Mow I wish to know tbe precise conlenla of that letter." "Here it la," nld Jeanne. 'Tbereae baa given it to me." Oontran read the note rapidly, and was Impressed with the IngeDuity of Its compoaltlon. It was not to the Vlcomta^s hjuidwrlUng, as the torner probably waa nnacooiinted with Andre's aniogmph, and ao waa Tbereae. Still, it maivel- onaly ImltatedtM style of a despondent lover, and cbaractsr- IstloaUy detailed the transactions to the Hotel da Hllder. Swartog. by all that waa holy, that he bad never before eeen tbe erattnre sent to tovade his domicile by their pereecnttog enemy, who bed played an infamous trick upon them in tbe montog, it termfnsted by Imploring pardon tor an tovolnn- tary wrong, and soliciting, aa a final favor, an Interview, at wbleh the Vicomte could effectnally jostify bimaelf. "Aatonndtogr exclaimed Oontran. "The aeonndrd Is well toformed, and I am not surprised that There'e put talth In a note so Ingenlontly contrived. Who bronght it?" 'A boy dreesed as a botel-ehaaaenr," answimd Jeanne. A rascal disguised for the occasion. Another plot and we are all trapped by ihe scoundrel's devices. We bava great need of asnpplemntary defender, and Heaven be praised that chance has brought Bandal to us." Hsglanced at Jeanne and addressed Theiesa- "What think yon, dear child r'Rsumed the Commandant Doea not tbe Baron merit onr friendshipf" '■I sbsll never forget my debt to blm," responded the girl, 'and I desire to forget the Vicomte D^Elven." 1 suppose Ihe Baron's person Is not dlsplesaingr ■No. Why thltqnesUon?" ■Because—because he proposes to come sgiin. Should he displease you, I will limit him to a visit of ceremony." "I will always receive blm with pleasure," aatd Tbeivee, who did not appear Indtoed to express more dearly her senHmenta aa to r>Ati,iai "Ton have need of reat" aald her mother, convinced of tbe tontlllty of prolongtog the conversation. "Oo to your room with Ondnle, and I will join yon shortly." "Wsll," said Oonlnn after their departure, "am I not right to telling you that this mirrlige will take place?" '11 has not taken place as yet" mnrmnred Jeanne. 'As well ss If It wsre dons. I repeat tblngswlUgoofthem' ■alvea. Ton ahske your head. Ons would say that yon were opposed to it Why, I pray t Does not Uons. De Bandal suit yon?" "I acknowledge that should be marry Therese, it wonld b« in nnhoped-fcr illlince, ilthough he is too aged tor her; still, ought we not seek Information, which we have not concem- tog a man with whom yon ire icarody acqnatoled V •1 will glean U, parblenl Sartllly will turalih It Have yon no better rtaaon to give )" 'I have another, not based npon common eenae, I admit' ^en it is nsdess to advance it; still, never mtod. Out with It I" ■Well, I experienced upon laetog Mona. De Randal a strange tansaUon. 'Whether bis voice or his look troubled me I know not but It atrack ma that that man wonld bring ua mlafor- tone." "Oood I Ton bad the bluea. AU that la not aerions, and attar a little experience yon wlU dlacover yonr dangbter'a pre- server to be harmlcas. Dispel your visions, dearest Jeanne, and determtoe npon ourprogramme. Illtakechargeof Mono. De Randal, whom I will bring back to-monow, while yon can train Theresa to become a Baroness." fore, I prey yon, sir, to go oat and watoh over him." "I go, mademolssUe," aald Bandal almply. No one attempted reetratoing blm, not even Madame De Lorria, who bad not addreaacd a word to him durtog thla brief Interview, nie Commandant reoonduoted the Baron u tar is Ihe porch merdy. md slid: "AU goM well, and will go better after I speak lo the ladles. Should yon pass near my house to-morrow momtog, I hope-to bave good news." "I shall not tall," answered (the Baron warmly; "and aa to that wretch, whether living or dead, I'll take care that we will never hear of him into." "Tee; I bdleve we nave nothtog to fear from ihit qnirter. I only regret not havtog in opiMrtunlty to question ue soonn* drel, to extort from blm the name of our persecolor. I have evon a mtod to go baok with yon. la It tar I" "Mot vary. StUl, I advise yon not to go thither. The police miy anlve while we are examtolng the body, and perohanoe may demand onr namea. Nothing pievents my oiviog up mtoe, slnoe, up to the present I have not known Madame De Lorrls, but yon are coimeoted with her, and hence the case is different." "Ton are right, dsar fellow. I confide to yon, and will en- )oto the ladles to suslato yon whenever yon need It Ton have pleased them, I assore yon. Qudnle hetselt is fssctoated." "I am ddlgbted at Ibat., However. It seemed to ma that Madame Da Lorrls'reception was oold.^' "Say Madame Valdlen. as Madame De Lorrls exists BOlonger. Bat yon acs dacslvsd. Jeanne is only tranblad, ind lo^food CHAFIEB IV.^Hi CLOUDS BxaiM to bbeu. A week has elapsed since delivery of Tbeiese by Randal from Ihe mlscreanls offeitog her violence. Daring that bleesed week not an nntoward incident occurred. A profound calm- neaa succasded. as it by enchantment the atorms tooessantly tronbUng the repose of tbe pilndpal characters In our nar- rative. The cpnmlatlo anticlpallona of tbe Commandant were betaig realized. On the morrow after the night attack he re- tnraed to the villa with bis frlsnd the Baron, who was lietter received than either of them had calcalated npon. Ondnle overwhelmed them wllh eonrteslee. Therese. more reserved, gave the Baron a pleasing reception, ivblle Madame Valdlen recognized Mens. De Bandal as an aocompllahed gentleman dotog ber an honor through coneeoltog to be her aon-ln-Iaw. The accompUihad gentleman was pleased with tbe mirrlige upon principle before he hid known Mademoleelle Valdlen. Slnoe her loqnatotince be waa to baste to consummate their anion. In addition to an assurance aa to betog above Parisian pndudlcea legardtog caate, the Baron touched the question of Intereet through declaration of an Intention not to accept a ■one of dowry, bnt to marry on a theory of community—that la to say, to divide with hla wife his personal estate, which be aaaerted to be fifteen bnndrcd thonaand tiancs, to be oon trolled by Madame Valdieu'a notary. Theae generous propoelUona almoat elldted firom Jeanne a declaration of the fact of her dangbtar bdng helrrsa to over two mlUlona, wben ahe remembered the dlsastrons effect produced npon the Vloomte by mention of this mapnlficent Inheritance. Oontran, whom khe conanlted, approved of ber prudence to wltbholdtog from the Baron knowledge of Thereae'a coming wealth until it ahonld be communicated altar, at tbe time of preparing the marrisge-contract The cesiatlon of hostillUea created tor Oontran ample letsnre; still, he did not disarm himself, for be bad attempted everytbtog to reach the unat- tatosblo WUIIam AtUna, to whoae exiatence he penlated to believe, although wllhout proof podtlve. Hence on tbe night of the iaat episode to tbe war, Oontran, despite Randal's ad- vloe and snggestlons, went forth to assure hlmidf whether the stricken mieoreant waa still lytog npon tbe pavement At the aoene of tbe conflict be diacovered a small pool of blood: iUU, as wonnds bleedtog abnndantly are by no meana the most dangerons, it 'was not donbttuf that the mlioreant had Sicked blmsell npand decamped. To complete hla researohea le Commandant tor dght daya pamaed the city Itema In tbe nawapapers. and could dlacover nothing to relation to a noc- tamu brawl to thevidnltyof the Boulevard'd'ltalie, much leaa a mnrder. It appeared to him that dl tbe penone con- nected more or leaa directly with Lady Calroees' assaaalDstion had inddenly become invlalble, as If at word of command. Some days alter Bandal's Introduction to tbe Vddlnu 'villa, where he ealabllshed a permanent foothold, the Commandant vliiled the Vicomte D'Elven. He fonnd him sad, bnt ap- parently redgied, and parUcuUrly ladtun. Oontran did not conceal froni him that a anitor bad presented blmadt to Tbe- reae with great ebancea of being accepted. The name waa not mentioned, ai he deemed It not aovlaable to eidte Andre agalnat Ihe Baron. Neither were related parUonlan of the ad- venture precipitating matrimonial propoBtUona. Andre ooldly received thla dlaagreeible Information, and wben qneetloned to a friendly way aa to hU pmjeota replied that It bad been his Intention to abridge his stay to Paris, but that bnatoees wonld delato blm tor some Ume In tbe dl^. Without apprlBing Mont, IXArbols, the vicomte bad reanmed In penon the oam;«lgn nnderlaken by Oontian agatost Tbe- rese's invisible persecutor and wretchedly conducted. Inas- much as the enemy redoubled bis aaaaults vrithont being dis- covered, Attar mnob hesitation, Andre dedded npon vltittog his fsther'a old frtenda, neglected for many years. One among them, being at the time vlce-preddant of tbe dub to which the Commandant belonged, offered his patronigs to 0. Vicomte, which wss by him acoepted. Andre consequently fonnd blmsdf to frequent sodal com- munion with Oontran and bis companions. Hence, the Com- mandant tailed not to bdleve that (be dlicarded enllor sought consolation tor bis rejection by Indulgence to gay aoolety. Tbe Vloomte had purchased a aaddle-boiso, and, having the country habit of early rlstog, profited by devoting the 'fine moratogs to rides In tho Bola du Boulogne. Oenerally, he (onndnoonelo impede his exercise, but one day, aa he was re- turntog, chance led him to the Alleo dee Potaanx, down which was pourtog In a contrary direction a stream of equestrians, riding dther atone or in small gronpa. Andre's thoughts were concentrated upon the lovable girl he waa never ts aee again, and, loat In sad reflections, he suffered ihe reins to hang Voote over his horse'a neck as ths animal walked In the middle of "Then yon are acqndntad T" said Oontran. "Tee," replied the Baron : "Ihe genUeman did me the honor of a vldt the other day, and I am dsUghted at nuettoi hln again." "My dear Andre," resumed Ihe Commandant cheerfully 'yon will joto oar party." The group reformed. Andre rode with Oontrmn to the right and Destemsy to the left, while Sartllly and Bandal formed the left wtog. "Ton know, my dear Commandant," add Deslamay, "lhal the Vloomte jolie tbe dub ?" ■Bsh 1 Truly 7" exclaimed Oontran. "Heavens I ysa." reaiwnded Andre, allghtly emteiTaaaed; "I tear betog detatoed here by bndneaa." Ton will find among na anperb players," eicUlmed Sir. -tUly. '■Only I warn yon agalnat wreatltog with Bindd. He haa the.greateat streak of lock I bave ever beard of. Ha wtoi my do: / regnlsrly every night, and If It oonUnnea long bell put me In the poorhonae.'' "Ton I" sneered the Commandant "Come, now I yon are too rich, my dear fellow. Had yon luck at baccarat, It woold bedl theaune." never play," remarktd Andre. ■Ton are right" obeerved SartiUy. "Woman la yonr forte —particularly at yonr age. Were I twenty-five Pd never tonck a card." ■Then yon succeed with tbe femdea ?" ■Tolerably," replM lbs alont gentleman, ttralgblenlng bimaelf. "1 know one crazy after me." "A Bnstlan princess, I bet?" "No; a veiT bandaome girl named HtrUne Fenetle." "Martina Ferreltel" exclaimed Deatemay. bnraUng Into laugbler. "Have yon, dear fdlow, the Impertinence of claim- tog her dlaooveir?" "Nol" responded Sartllly gravdr. "I know that yon all know her; but I am the flrit to appreciate her vdue." "My compliments, dear friend, aald Oontran. ■I accept them becauae I deserve them. Aik, rather, o( Jeanne De Loiris, wbo knows Marttoe's worth, ttoce she bat made ber ber friend." Allusion to Jeanne excited the three ridere* attention, and DcaU>may alone replied, with a ahrag of tbe ahonlders: ■■Von are behind time, my dear air. Madame De Lorrii no longer eeea Martina, tor the excellent reason that ebe eeea no one. She has retired from budnees. Her mansion la tor ads, and the mmor runs that Jesnne bis oon<eeratod her en- tire property towards the edneaUon of a dangbtar ahe had In earlyyouth." 'Where drenlatra that mmorT' aaked tbe Commandant Everywhere. Joattoe told me. Ton know ber—Bodin't aerving-glrl; and ehe got it from Jaanne'a chambermaid." Oonoan and Bandal exchanged glanoes,whldi did not escape the Vlcomte's vigilant eyes. "These servants are tovenUve babblers," said the Oom- mandant "and I adviae yon strongly to place Utlls faith to their virtue or their sayinga." '■My dear Barlllly," Interposed the Baron, "content yonnelt with gnldtog Mademoiselle Feirette npon the high rosd lo tuc- «." 'Ooodl goodi Well speak of Lorrii no more, stoce It dlt- pleaseayou both. She la converted to vlrtne; ao mncb the better for her. and I am not one to prevent berworklsg out ber salvation." Oontran did not reply, and tbe oonvenatlon dropped. Like blm, Randal bad become nneaay, Andre was thongatfal. HU Busplclona aa to Bindd'a being i enltor revived. Be obiervel with acme iU-bumor the Commandant ind the Baron teln to tbelr horses aa If word bad been interchanged to fall Into Ihi rear with tho sole dm of not havtog their conversation orer beard. Tbe Vicomte therelore fonnd bimielt betweeo Dealer nay and SartHly, cluttering on each aide. Andre acarcely 11s- tsned, bntbe dare not tnm around to observe what waa ptaa- ing, and be waa aurprised at aeetog the Commandant lesime his place In Ihe ranks. "What have yon done with Randd 7" toqulred Sartllly. "Randdl" repeated Oontian. '■He is gilloplDg towarda Piris. He remembered having in ippolntment wllh hb notary." "SlayI" exddmed Sartllly; "Is he going to marry 1 That would not aalonlsh me. That animal does nothtog llkt soy- body elae." ■Ah I you treat frienda ktodly." 'Randal Is no friend of. mtoe. People wtonlng my mono; are none of my friends." ' '■Well, bnt yon have known hlmlong^ "Tes, dnce he has been to Fails." "Excuae met you recommended him at tbe Club." "What does that prove? Coon his srrivd he vtillsd me to bring totelUgenoe about a lofaUon of mtoe on Ihe Iile ol France giving bim a letter of Introduotlon. Natunlly I re- ceived blm wall. He aaked me to Introduce him to Ihe Club. the road. Onoe or twice he joltod agalnat riders, ourdng bis itupldl^, when his horse carried him Into tbe mlddlo of a group of eqneitrians riding towards him. "Saore bleu, sir! pay attention," shouted an Irritated voice. Tbe shock of contact was so mds that Andn, in his al>- shsoUon, should bave been nnhorsed, bnt Inetanlly aroused, he resumed a firm ssddle and found htmsdf face to face with the Commandant D'Aibols, who formed the centre of a group of four cavaliers. "Howl yon, my dear tellowl" exdalmad Oontran, changing I bis tone. "Hew Ihe Devil did I expect to meet yon, and to this fashion? >«rtnnatdy, yon are a capital rider,and I also, othsrwlse we wonld have afforded the lady riden of the Allee des Foleanx ihe ridleuloua dght of a donble tdl." "Pardon me," mnttaied the Vicomte.'1 waa to momentary suditaUon.'.' . . « , '"Ooodl".qnothaontr>n; "bntthis la no plios tordream- ing. OtnUaman. Imi« Is the Vloomte - D'Elven. My dear I Aadre.'kanyon nave XMernay and SattUly.". Xi» OommuKlantln thla tuslliax maaiMr Oeslgutod his As he bad a good manner and appeared to have a bandacnie fortune, I made no objeodon. But I did wrong, tor he baa coat me nearly one bundrod thonaand crowna." "Then you know nothtog abont hla tUnUy or hla aniseed- en Is 7" "Bj my faith, no. It we are to make Inquiries concerning everybody we meet It wodd be an endlees job. Thli mui was recommended by a oonsto I had never teen, but wbo u very rich and well eateemed—and what men did I want! Why should I make an tovestlgatlon 7 Ton ars toUmita with him, and you have bean acqnalntad with blm lees time Ihin I, for, if I mistake not yon met him first at Ihe CInb." The Oommandant bit hto Upi, for be percdved tbe juitoosi of the argument ^ . . ^, "Moreover," leaumed Sartllly, "I have nothing agdntt blm beyond too mnoh luck at bacouat I know to a certainly that he haa a bandaome credit at his banker's, who is also mine. Wonld you have anything merer' ... j "Nothtog, abiolutaly,'^ anawered Oontran to an- oS-huid atyle; "and I tbtok wllh yon that Bandd U a very honorable man." Then, tuning to Andre, he aaked: "Wodd yon like a trot?" AndraaoqnIetoed,foTUalmck him that ihe Oommudint wia about lo communicate aomnthing he dedred to know. •■Joy go with yon, gentlemen I" shouted the atout Sartllly. 'A rapid psoe tatlguea me." "Me,tool" oioldmedDeatemiy. . . ,_, , •Then au revtir," returaed the Commandant givtog retot to hlaborae. .. .. , ^ Andre imtuted hla example, and, after reaohtog the jnno- tlonof the roada of Buraenea and of Longchampa, Oontian turned off into a narrow path, leading to a wooded aeoUon, and ebortly rednoed hla pace to a wdk. . , , . . "I tee, my friend, that yon are dotarmlnad to become a FarlaUn tor life. Avow, Andre, you atill think of Tbereae r 'Wbenahdllnot?" ^ , ^ ., ■Tbe time haa oome. I will speak to yon frankly. She U to be married. Teeter evening her mother Inquired of Tbereae whetber she wonld consent to eapouse a gentleman fully oe- fitting her, and the answered affirmatively.^' •■Randal, is it net r , „ , •■Heavenil Tea. I bave no longer any motive tor conceal- ment of a tmth I have totlmated." ■I discerned It, and nmdn In Paris." "To prevent this muriage? Tou cannot succeed, as I give '""I bow It; aUtl I yearn to nnmaak the loonndrel rendering mtoe a failure tbrongh folating npon me a courtezan. 'Ton WlU not auooeed In that work, either," remarked Oon. tran. "I did not ud I apared no palna. Moreover, the iMt- ter does not oonoem you, It belongs to Jeanne and ler "The more lihouldpureno It on that account," responded the Vloomte dimly. "And I wUl gito my end, J,,»»"" Jf"?; I will not marry Mademoiselle Valdlan, but IwUI rid baroi ''"•The'onemy, my dear fdlow, to whom yon dinde gt™" "J eigne of Ufe, donbUeas awaie thit he bu too PO*«rtni a party wllh whom to deal. He is pdd, moreover, not to iniar fere with the Baron De BiadaL" "How his he bnalness with Bandair , . "My deir feUow, I conld decUne in imwer. but IP"'?. •* Iiy bire to yon the sltnaUon. Know, then, thit last Honoaj TSereae committed the Imprudeaoe of vidttog yonr houae, in the evening she wu guilty of a more serious toal«>"ti»": went out alone at aUte honr and waa aaaaullad tr»UldJ«i who would have wrought violence npen ber had not bmosj tsllen npon them with bis oansand patthem to »gbt Itvw more to Wa oredlt in aaaumlng her ao«»ni«. jn"™""" " P' did not know her, and waa caanallypaadng down the borne- vard wben be heard her oriea." "Amoetatogdarcotoddence,yonadmit' >v. "Stogular to what ? The Daron Uvea, yon know. In tie »o» du Oardtod LMnotoe, and he was ooming from the depot —— •Then to thU fortiinato Incident he owes Introduotlon to MadameVddlenandacoeaatoherhonae? lamnotaatodsbea that MademolssUe Valdlen has accepted blm aa » busbana, quoth Andre Innledly. "In their pbos. I wonld havs ana- pooled so opportune a preaerver." ,^ i_ »ki»Iii ••Do you pretend that he oigantssd ihe attack to .obtoU oredlt for Qunse'sreaoBsr ^,.i._-,a. "I pretend nolhlngi lUU ibm m oolao lflw a a t ttrtkUg n*