Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1874-12-04
RIGOLOT'S ORDElLs.

RIGOlO1'S 0RDElLS.
You were told some weeks ago ho,
my French friend. Blaise Rigolot, be
came enamored of the dowry of Mis-
Ruth Cumleigh, aud succeeded i'll in
truding himself upon her attention
This week he and I have boen stayin!
at Cumleigh Lodge, in Surrey,to homo
the pheasant preserves; but we hav,
been doing something else besides
shoot, thanks to the ingenious spiri
of Miss Ruth.
You recollect being informed tina
Mr.. Cumleigh had fallen into bad odoi
eccentric proceedings. Having a 70
mantle mania for testing the persona
courage of her adorers, this young LADY
had played pranks upon certain well
connected gentlemen-notably q
guardsman or two-and these pranks
had redounded moro to Miss Ruth
| perspicacity than to the glori ication OF
| her victims. To revenge themselves,
the well-connected gentlemen who had
been made to show the white feather
had spread the report that Mr.. Cum.
| leigh was disgracefully bad from-a
| was known, aud must have made his
fortune by modes of which no right
thinking mind could approve. AS for
me, l only half believed this; but hav-
ing great opinion of myself, like the
rest OF you, | hesitated to accept Mr..
Cumleigh's invitation, and it was only
at the instant supplication Of Rigolot
that at length condescended to ac-
company him. When we arrived, Miss
Ruth thanked me with demure little
bow, for the honor 1 was doing her
fathers roof, and hoped that I should
not find the hospitality Of it too
humble.
This was nonsense, for a less hum
BILE place could not be found by ad-
vertising. Cumleigh Lodge IS rich,
luxurious, and yet tasteful, for those
who, knowing little OF the houses of
city plutoorats, pirate Of the ostenta-
tious vulgarity OF these abodes, forget
that men like hlr. Crmieigh seldom
consult their Owl tastes IN the matter
of furniture. but appeal to artistic mp
holsterers. Before had spent clock
round at the Lodge L could not help
wishing that some of the aristoCracy,
among whom my acGuaintances chiefly
lie-as l think I was good enough to
explain to you before-woulu take "a
leaf out of a city mans book. The
only thing to complain Of was that
among the other guests invited were Il
trlfie too many fellow city men strongly
perfumed with gold. But, after ali,
gold is q good perfume.
Tho other morning, then, after Il
satisfactory breakfast OF game pies,
we observed that the sky was weeping,
and as sport was difficult under the
circumstances, | stroiled III tue billiard
room and began knocking the balls
about, waiting for Rigolot to Join me-
/ had scarcely been SO engaged a
minute when Ruth Cumlejgh gIifled i'll
With gravity of purpose on her
pretty face. She was adorab!y fresh.
dressed IN buff costume, or ccru
linen, with a velvet band and large
medallion round her neck, Velvet brace
lets round her wrists, and Il scarlet
rose stuck, rs by the mereSt accident.
ii her girdle. Laying her finger on
her lips she notioned to me 10 follow
her into the conservatory adjoining
the billiard room, and there, when I
had let fall the door curtain, she said:
"Mr. Trefoil.'
''Eliss Cumleigh."
'Your French friend is III King VIC
lent love to me.
81 do not wonder ut it,
Its matter of taste; but | should
be careful before marrying a French
man"
IAN authentic Niscount, L believe"
90, foreign Viscounts. And then |
have no faith in those Frerchmen.
They boast too much, and [ would not
give 4 pin for man who boastcd and
had no courage. He would be sure to
tyrannlze and make one wretchcd and
ashamed of him. What is sour opin-
ion of Monsieur R;golot."
Try him."
That is what | mean 10 do ii Won
will help me. There i5 4 ghost who is
said to haunt church-yard near here.
DO you think Monsieur Eigolot is
afraid Of grosts?'
II have little prejudice for them my
self, but Erenchman may be above
such prejudice"
And do you think that Monsieur
Rgolot would like TO be awoke at
night by two orlned burglars pointing
revolvers in his face" asked MISS
Ruth, fixing her large eyes on me
y can only answer for myself, and
confess that n night so disturbed
would be most disa9reeably noted in
my memory"
"Weil l think that will DO then, .
said the pleasant young lady graveiy !;
land tomorrow, If he gets through
the two trials creditably, ! will tell
nlm that papa has received a telegram
saying that his fortune is in jeopardy.
[ shall zee then whether your friend
cares for me or MY money.
i laughed. she laughed, ard between
us we agreed to submit Rigolot to as
uncomfortable a series Of ordeals as |
ever heard devised. So that evening
at dinner, ust as the soup was being
| removed, and before any Of the guests
bad time to draw an artificial colrage
/ from wine, Ruth Cumleigh remarked
quietly: Papa, it's tonight five sho At
pays a yearly visit to Gravehill
| Churchyarj.
MY dear child, how can you shy
such foolish things %
'Mademoiselle believes ill ghosts
zen?' inquired Rigolot, displaying his
white teeth on the other side OF the
tsb'e.
In un,lonhte.l ghost=, Monsicu,
! Rigolot, and this Cne has frightened
several people TO death. I'm sure il
makes ones flesh creep to think of it.
Do you not believe in ghosts %
Rigolot's handsome face at once be
came serious.
''Lere are more zings in heaven ant
earth zau we dream OF, as your S;lu!i-
speare says Mademoiselle; [ canuot
deny vot [ know nozing about; but !
care not for ghosts-I mock myself O
zem-for what can zeY do to me?"
"The answer o. sensible and brave
man, Mosskeer Rigolot," exclaimed
Mr.. Cumleigh with approval, and the
other city men, their wives and mo
bile incumbrances. concurred. Blu
!; Ruth calculated, smiling, rs if skepti
cal,
well, should you dare to go ant
stand in Gravehill Churchyard alon,
at midnight, Monsieur Rigolot ?''
My friend made one of his inimita
BILE French bows, and asked whethe