Sharp County record., 1880-02-26


each other in silent dismay, in the
midst of which they felicitated them
selves on having disposed Of Madame
Olympic without parting interview.
"There is no telling what she might
not have done to the poor, nervous
child, had she seen her, whispered
Mrs. Aske. Alas she little knew how
much evil Madame Olympic had power
to accomplish without the sight of her
victim.
As evening drew on, Mary's mood
changed. She fell to weeping, and i'm
plored, entreated them to send-to send
at once for Madame Olympic. She must
see her! She nustl So violent was
her emotion and so excited and fever
ish her manner that her husband, great
" alarmed! hurried forth in search of
DR.. BouIan. Mrs. Aske tried in every
Loving way to soothe her daughter To
this end, She brought in the baby; but
Mary would not look at it, pushed the
little creature aside, and continued to
upbraid, expOstulate, entreat.
"My dear child" cried her mother,
at length, quite out Of patience, "dOn't
say another word about that hOrrid
woman. What she has done to make
you so unlike yourself can not mag
Inc; but | hope you will never set eyes
on her again. You never shall with my
consent, and please don't talk any more
on the subject"
Mary glared at her with look of real
fury. Then she lay down again and
closed her ewes.
go away, please" she said, in
muffied voice. 81 want to be alone.
Go away, Mamma, and take Baby and
Anne with you. can't rest with you
all in the ROOM.
"Oh! my darling, - cried Mrs. Aske,
infinitely relieYed, "Of course, we will
90. Sleep is just what you need. We
will leave you perfectly quiet
They went. 1t was nearly an hour
before Archie returned, without the
Doctor, whom he had chased in vain to
half dozen places. He was met with
the glad intelligence that Mary was
quiet, at last, and had asked to be left
alone to sleep. Dusk settled down upon
the city-such momentary dusk as is al
lowed to Paris; then the long avenues
of lamps Hndled, one after another, and
replaced with their blaze the vanished
sun. Major ElphinstOne and his mother
in-law sat talking in low whispers; the
infant slept; every household noise was
hushed or held back, to further Mary's
rest
81 think I must just peep in upon
her," said Mrs. Aske, at last, moving
softly toward the bedroom door.
She did so, and in another moment
terrified exclamation called Major
Elphinstone to her side. Mary was
gone! On the toilet lay slip of paper,
with these words in pencil:
81 will not stay where my only friend is
shut out. ~ ME-"
"GOod God! She has gone to tina
woman" gasped Major Elphinstone,
while Mrs. Aske wrung her hands in
despair. Mary! their petted, delicate
Mary! Mary, who had not set foot on
the pavements since her illness, out
alone in the streets of Paris after night
fall
"Oh, Archie! What shall we do?" she
groaned.
"Do? Why, 60 to the Prefecture at
once" rejoined her sOn-in-law, his
stupor of surprise yielding to indigna-
ton. "This is some internal trick.
They say the police of Paris is worth
something. If so, they shall bring me
face to face with that woman before this
night is over, or [ will know the reason
why"
The police did its best; but the IOge-
n1ent of Madame Olympic was at first un-
certain, and, when ascertained, proved
to be in distant quarter, so that it was
morning before the anxious husband
found himself at length on the right
track. 1t was to an obscure street in
the district below the Boulevard st.
Michel that he was at length escorted
by the Sergeant de Vile, who halted at a
dingy door, on which, amid various
other signs, appeared modest green
plate, bearing the words "Madarne
Olympic, FrOteuse and ClGirU0yant. Al
c5aqujen1e," which sign was repeated at
the top Of the five weary staircases, up
which they proceeded to climb.
Madame herself answered the bell.
"Ah" she said, world of meaning
in the monosyllable, and stepped aside
to let them enter.
1t was a small room, gaudy with
paper flowers and cheap, snowy drap-
cries and extremely close and warm.
On sofa near the window lay Mary.
She started up at their entrance, flushed
deeply, and then paled.
"My darling" began her husband,
all his anger melting at the sight OF the
beautiful, fragile creature, "why did
you give us such frightP [ have been