The true northerner., 1874-12-11

pensing him from the burglar ordeal.
But arrangements had already been
made. That gardeners boy, a young
city gentleman, named Tuttle, who had
been sworn into the conspiracy, and
myself had all rehearsed for climbing
into Rigolot's balcony with Grape masks
on our faces and both Ruth and Tut
tie anticipated too much good fun from
this performance to be banked OF it.
Well. it was not such good fun after all,
especially for Tuttle. pass over the
congratulations which Rigolot received
on his return from the ghost expedition,
and come at once to the small hour of
3 in the morning, when the gardener,
Tuttle, and found ourselves climbing
ladder under Rigolot's balcony, and
each with O horse pistol in his hands.
Tuttle led the way, and, being provided
with glazier's instrument for cutting
glass, cooily removed pane, passed his
hand through the aperture, opened the
window, and walked in. He had some
difficulty in suppressing grins, but he
did not grin long.
1 have never heard for certain what
actually ensued; but 1t seems that Rig
olot was awoke by the noise, faint as it
was, and seeing burglar-there was
night-hght on the chimney piece
leaped out of bed, few to drawer, and
extracting revolver, thence let fly the
whole six barrels at Tuttle without
word of warning. In saying six barrels,
however, it is fair to mention that Tut
tie did not wait for any barrels after the
first, for in one bound he was on the
balcony and in a second he had dropped
headlong on to the fower-bed, twenty
feet below, without so much as touch
ing the ladder. The gardener and l
followed in state of emotion which you
may be left to imagine, for we heard the
bullets crushing with fearful bangs
through one pane after another I; but
possibly Rigolot did not really aim at
any of us, for | noticed afterwards that
the bullets went through the upper
panes.
Well, Rigolot had triumphed in two
trials, but the worst was set him Just be-
fore luncheon that day. All the morn
ing there had been panic-stricken talk
among the city men about the pre-
sumed burglary of the night, and Rig
olot had even given his version of that
GtOA tIlbOOO w a COuDlC VI DOAlCC-
men who were sent for from the village.
He was calm in his account, and strictly
modest; III fact, his attitude was such
as would have given any ordinary young
lady the highest opinion of him. And
yet toward l o'clock, Ruth Cumleigh,
her face sparkling with mischief, sud
denly passed through the room where /
was, and, beckoning to me with her
finger, said:
"Just stand behind the door, Mr..
Trefoil, and you'll see.
Rigolot was seated, reading. He rose
and abruptly exclaimed "Why, what
is the matter, Mademoiselle? You are
crying" The artful puss was indeed
passing her handkerchief over eyes.
90, never mind me, Monsieur Rig
olot it's only for poor papa / care he
has just received letter announcing his
ruin"
"Good heavens ruin p
Yes, complete ruin. 1t seems he
will not be able to save shilling. o,
dear to think he should suffer like
this -
Rim - exclaimed Rigolot with an
outburst of feeling. "Ah,
Mademoiselle, forgive me for saying
such hard zing, but / am hall glad of
this. Yes / had long loved you; but
you were rich, and l feared my atten-
tions might be misiudged. But now,
zat l am richer zan you, say, my beauti-
full, darling Ruth, you will be mine!"
And hereon 1, behind my door, heard
not unlike kisses protests ;
then more kissing.
An hour later, Rigolot came to me in
the garden and said: Mon cher, ]
marry myself TO Mees Ruth.
congratulate you, Rigolot."
Then RIgolot winked-such a wink.
81 was in the billiard-room yester-
day morning, and overheard you both"
Age.