Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-03-23

for an evil chance or a worse, should
have been mistress here. It's pity my
poor master could not keep his savings
from one so bette That girl has got round
you with her big blue eyes and her calm
face, but she will sell you to jacques
Azemar." (Jacques Azemar was Su-
zanne' brother)
Poor Suzanne murmured words OF
meek sorrow and gentle reproach. My
own temper was fairly reused.
you shall quit this house this very
day said; 81 wonder you dare to be
so insolent. Suzanne, leave the room,
and do not see this woman again.
Thus did | dismiss Madame Lemaitre.
1 had never felt very easy in retaining
one who must necessarily regard me in
the light of supplanter and rival, and
she had now furnished me with a most
Just cause for her dismissal.
/ installed Suzanne in her place,
hiring an elderly peasant from the neigh
boring village to help her in the house
hold work, and be sort of chaperone to
the young maiden.
The days went on smoothly, but monot-
onously. .u0aaol-iN
Winter at last stole on us. The
weather was dark and dreary; the cold
intense. ieaa
One evening bade Suzanne bring her
work, and come to keep me company,
telling her that Babette the man ser,
vant) might attend her. They came, and
my evening was no longer lonely.
found this young girl well read in our
best authors, shrewd, intelligent, and
even witty. / desired her to come again
the next evening, and it became an es-
tablished custom henceforward that she
should make my coffee for me. :.
One evening ! was amusing myself
when she entered, by looking at the few
family Jewels which / had inherited from
nv grand-uncle. Monsieur Doricourt
had given me the old casket containing
them on the day Of my arrival at the
farm; but hitherto / had neither time nor
inclination to examine them g eaa
They consisted of pair of bracelets of
enamel, clasped with diamonds, which
had probably belonged to my great
grandmother, judging from their antique
fashion; a huge pair of massive gold
buckles, and garnet necklace; there
was also an old watch, inlaid with stones.
Whilst / still held the bracelet in my
hand, Suzanne entered the room. She
uttered an exclamation of surprise and
admiration. Oh, Monsieur, what beau
tifal bracelets?o aleis -
"They are very handsome, | answered;
did YOU never see them before?'
"Oh, mol Monsieur kept that casket
and the plate Except few spoons and
forks) at his bankers. Monsieur Dori-
court only brought them here the day
Won came"
"Why were they kept at the bank" /
asked
0For fear of robbers. / suppose, Mon
s;aur This mart of the country is not
very safe. They would cut mans
throat for less than one of these brace
let's"
Nv IMAGINATION was vivid. | had never
hefoye lived In n solitary country house,
beyond the reach of immediate aid, in
case of danger. | was suddenly and
forcibly struck with the fact that had
been sieeping for some weeks in lonely
JweIl;ng without even loading my pis-
toIs .ls
~Rut" 7 said after that first startled
norse no one but Yourself, Suzanne,
ttnows that I keen these Jewels in the
hnusa' or tbat tba nlate Is in nv dressing
room
THAT ;s true Monsieur" she an
swered s;mnlv I 10-87t
@Tben mind You mention it to no
ora . commanded .
SMonsieur shall be obeyed.n and her
evos still fingered admiringly on the or
naments
"T have no, forgotten / said, more
GENTLY !" that YOU once were to have pos
sessed this house. and these very Jewels.
ToIl T me- suzanne why did nv great
nncle destroy the will made In your
savorYi
Sba blushed crimson. up to the very
-oo,s of her hair
Mons;enr" she said. TREMENDOUSLY, 81
wos v;ckedlv belied TO my master. | do
NOT know bv whom. But / have my
Jonb,s and susnicions as TO my secret
enemy I have a brother-alasi a very
bad yonng man He is ALWAYS in some
tronble or another. He came here to-
day. and got little help from me in his