The Lake County star. [volume] (Chase, Mich.) 1873-current, 1876-08-31

him; that some one would read it. His
own name might be written in full, and
that of Miss Ellis as well-he was in nc
condition to remember.
In the dead of night. Horatio stole
down the stairs on tiptOe, in shOeless
feet, shoes in hand, and looking fearfully
over his shoulder at every door he
passed. Every creaking stair called out
like a guilty conscience; but he reached
the yard without annoying any one.
There was a moon that night; but for
the nonce she veiled her face in heavy
clouds, and Horatio rejoiced in the dark.
ness. He looked at the two long rows ol
houses, standing back to back. Every
shutter was closed but the one be dreaded
most. In the Fienchmau's house, one
light burned in an upper window, and
he saw the snowy curtain blowing in and
out. The window was open.
He scaled the fence with ease. He
rested on the top; threw one arm over.
In moment he would have alighted
safe on the ground at the other side but
for an unlucky iron spike, that Stood
like inexorable fate between him and
the object of his attainment. He saved
his arm by sudden jerk, but his coat
sleeve was rent from shoulder to wrist,
and he hung by one hand, Just ready to
drop into his neighbor's garden.
His sudden fall shook all the long row
of fences. Some fendish house-dog,
reused from his quiet nap, revenged him
self by bowling, deep and long. Madame
Zanziger rushed to her window with an
exclamation Ofalarm; monsieur was close
behind her; night-capped heads issued
from four-and-twenty windows.
Horatio blessed the clouds that saved
him from discovery, but suddenly, and
without moments warning, the moon,
which had stood his friend so long. be-
trayed him by coming out full and clear,
and HOratio was revealed clinging to his
neighbor's fence, much in The position of
a prowling cat.
"There is the thief!" cried Monsieur
Zanziger; and Horatio aw, in the frame.
work of the window, figure with a
pistol in his hand-that pistol aimed a,
him.
1t was not an agreeable situation.
Horatio let 60 his hold and dropped On
his own side OF the fence. The ball
whizzed over his head, and he lay
O'OuOhOu III ehO SidSr, oiiSut anu iuOCOH-
less. He heard the excited voices die
away-monsieur's and nadames last OF
all-then quietly retired for the night,
and resigned himself to his fate.
Earlv in the morning Monsieur Zan-
zige' descended to the garden, in dressing
gown and slippers, bent on discovering
some traces OF the trespasser. A latter
Of blacl clo.h Hovtered from the fence,
and the.e were footprints in the sol ]
earth o. he fower.beds.
The chief, whoever he was, had ruined
madame's favorite tea rose. She would
be jnconsolable. Monsieur was return
ing dejectCdly to the house, when some-
thing caught his eye-something white,
under the lily in the center of the grass.
He pouDced on the innocent paper like
hawk upon a dove. Love verses de-
scriptive OF madame! Here was a ter
rible discovery
The infuriated husband rushed fran
tically to his wife's apartment and held
the luckless missive before her eyes.
Madame implored him to oe calm.
She knew of no one who admired her
but ber foolish Adolphe. But monsieur
was not blind.
This wretch, who came like thief in
the night, was the same who had watched
her from his window. He had been be-
trayed and deceived by the wife of his
bosom. She allowed this villain to call
her his rose, his queen. They had met.
1t was of no use to deny it, for was it
not written here in black and white?
And while he stormed and raved, and
threatened deadly vengeance on the
wretch who had robbed him of his hap
piness, madame only became more
radiant. She was now in her element.
Monsieur had not been so furious for
many years. 1t was plain that her
charms had not all departed, and Miss
Ellis should speedily find who had been
mistaken.
The angry husband departed on i'm
portant business, 80 he said, and the wife
watched him out of sight; then she sat
down to write and dispatch two little
notes-one addressed to Miss Ellie, and
one to this impudent lover. Miss Ellis
arrived in a state of curiosity, and the
French lady poured into her ears most
voluble account of the terrible event
which had transpired.
"Monsieur is desperately cried she /;
"and tremble for the life of this most
impudent young man. l have sent for
him to warn him of his danger. All if
my Adolphe should come home, then we
are lost Remain with me, Miss Rose /;
am SO timid."
The madame led the way to the draw
ing-room, and flung herself in graceful
attitude upon crimson velvet chair.
She was attired in snowy morning robe,
and the effect was fine. Rose Ellis sat
on q little stool at the window, her lips
compressed, her brows knit, thinking
very busily, but with no satisfactory re-
suit.
Soon Mr.. Edwards was announced.
He arrived with much trepidation. He
entered with perplexed air. His sur
prise deepened when he saw that Miss
Rose was there.
Horatio bowed low to both ladies, and
Madame Zanziger bade him be seated
with queenly gesture. He obeyed, and
waited patiently for the denouement.
lmpetuous young manp' began
madame, without preface, "I have sent
to warn you of your danger. Monsieur,
| my huooohuJ 10 ChihScu. Ilc Has ulS-
covered your verses. / would not that
you, for my sake, should die. Fly the
country ere it be too late"
While Horatio was trying to collect
his scattered senses, the door burst open
with a violent bang, and there stood
Monsieur Zanziger, in terrible state Of
rage, with pistol in his hand.
"Villain traitressW cried he; "1
have discovered all-both shall die
Then, with my own hand, will destroy
myself"
Allow me to explain |" said Horatio
You are under strange mistake"
Explain For what will you explain
Have you not dared to address to my
wife those wicked verses? All, villain
rascal lies can not save youp
Horatio begged once more that he
might be allowed to explain.
"Such an odd mistake" cried madame
laughing hy,terically, and without the
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