, 1863-02-19
A Dangerous Box.

inc made some changes in nv toilet. / went out
for a short stroll in tbat great and magnj6cent
eitv-that heart. as Il were. of the world. 1 had
some letters of Introduction but As I had not
vel presented them. believed myself wholly un.
known to living soul in that metropolis s-ex.
cept II might be to the officers who had read my
passport a the gates, and tbs clerk who had seen
me register nv name; and that either should
have fixed that name In their recollection, was
something that nv modesty had not vet permitted
me to take into consideration.
Judge of nv surprise. therefore, when had
gone but a few steps from Meuriceis, a. Rue de
RiyoI, towards the beautiful palace gardens
nearly opposite, to hear myself addressed as fol.
lows .. a..f
"Wil N. Henry Neville have the kindness to
answer me few important questionsW
turned to the stranger, and | saw at Q glance
that he was total stranger to me-that had
never, to my knowledge, looked upon bis face
before. He was a middle-aged man, Of rather
prepossessing appearance, with gray hair, eye
brows, and mustache, and was dressed as plain
substantial citizen. -. :,
81 will do myself the pleasure to oblige you"
replied, in kind and courteous tone. "Per.
init me first to remark, however, that you have
a little the advantage Of me, in that you already
know my name" .... ...I-,s. ,y....-..
"Monser will please know me as Eugene st.
Medard."
"Did we ever meet before p 'F
alt is monsieur that has now become the ques.
TONER" replied the Frenchman, with Pecnliar
smile, and kind Of formal bow, half dignitied,
half polite-as if he would have said that the
questions were only to come from his side.
Somehow felt just a trife nettled at the look
and tone, and remark, d, q little coldly:
81 take it for granted one has the same right
sre. eha n&ho
The features Of the stranger grew grave as
one who feels little annoyed, and his reply was
Impressive, without oelng exactly stern.
Monsieur viii be KIND enough 70 wave
bis right in this instance, he said, " it may save
US both some time and trouble" ar d
scarcely know why--perhaps something in
look, tone and manner-but the idea now sud.
denly occurred To me that was speaking to a
man in authority-and said, respectfully: "Pro-
ceed, Monster ST. Madard." r
Thank you, Monsieur. You are an English.
man 7"
81 am" rfE .#a
"You are distantly related to the Earl Of NAL
vern2" lga.l lfi.....,s
$50 distantly that bis lordship could never
get near enough to know our family" replied,
pleasantly, not little surprised that q French
stranger should know 50 much about me, and
wondering all the while to what result his ques-
tons might be tending
"You were an only child" "
sYes." s'r. tllr rl.ra
Your parents are deadS" ...s...Ir .
"Yes."
"YOu were left q small inheritance, which you
have lately converted into money, and brought
with you, thinking il not unlikely you might take
a fancy TO settle on the ContinentY"
"All true, Monsieur; but your knowledge Of
and affai aafO shaaF
"Let that pass The family Of his lOrdship,
the Earl Of Malvern. has been un(ortunate--no
mar oC Lin reTnain 10 him ,"
"Two nrofligate sons Of a deceased sister are
the nearest / believc" T'-7 -
a. TbeV are bo,h dead. Monsieurp NJ
"Desd /" exclaimed / with a start. for this
was news 70 me.
ayes" . ".'-
."Are you sureP" stE uv uaHrl
uCar,S;nIv Mons;sprn s.4..... ...r.
."eood 5ssIsns! this .stoni.hos me still more.
"T know il" ~ . 80.
l. with : stare Of wonder =
Monsieur Mon I St. Medard smiled, and continued:
sieur" "'.''' az ~" '
1If wb,, vou tall ma ia true. amir exclaimed
.,mos, S,sS,Ied =, The ,hougbt Of beno 20 near
10 ] an SsrlSom far tbs then esrl was old and fee.
he and mUht dron off At any moment,
q Do YOU know Who i next Of kin after your
self Monsirnr ," - - - IlI
I" think have heard IL Is one VIM. Byerly."
"RighL DO You know himP" ...
"Snmetbing bv renortn
% psrsonaIIs W
"No" a. BOZ raLE
"D,d report speak fayorably Of himP"
al an sorr,, 10 sav h, ala No, ~