The Osceola times., 1880-01-24

and we found ourselves at Calais. When
we landed Madame admitted that she
was hungry, and that luncheon would be
desirable feature of the programme
Accordingly, while she went about her
business, took yoiture and drove to
the Hotel DcSsin. There, in the course
of half an hour, Madame joined me.
Now, one can't very well partake of
luncheon in kid gloves. The question
was, whether / should Dartake of mine
with the ring on my finger, or whether
| should put it carefully away in the
box and hideit out of sight. II you have
any knowledge of what human nature is
at twenty-one, especially when there is
a pretty woman in the case, you will
know the decision arrived at.
Madame pecked little at this and
that, but hardly ate more than a sparrow
might have done. How swiftly the mo-
gered on in the cosy little room for a
year. When the cloth was drawn and
we were left to ourselves with bottle
Of hook on the table between us, some
how our chairs seemed to gravitate TO-
ward each other. Or, perhaps, it was
the stove that attracted US, for the after
noon was chilly. Anyway, we found
ourselves in close proximity.
Then said Madame, "Do you smoke,
Monsieur"
''Yes, considerably more than is good
for me-"
"Then smoke now. Obige me. | like
TO see a gentleman smoke"
rose in order to get my cigar case out
of my overcoat Madame laid her hand
upon my arm. What charming hand
it was,
"Tenez, am going to make a confess
sion," said she; II smoke too-moi. Gig
arettes. | lived for several years in
Spain, where nearly all the ladies smoke.
You are not shocked, hope, at the idea
Of a lady smoking cigarette?"
Shocked, Madame"
"No, of course not You are too much
man of the world. You are above such
insular prejudices. Eh biep, you shall
smoke one of my cigarettes From the
satchel by her side she drew an embroi-
dered case, which she opened, and babe
me choose cigarette. Idld so, and she
took another. Then, with her own fair
fingers, she struck an dHltme'te, and held
it while lighted the weed. Then she
lighted her own. She could not fail to
see the ring on my finger as she held the
match.
Il dare say You find the flavor a little
peculiar said Madame, a minute or two
later, These cigarettes are made Of
perfumed tobacco. | never smoke any
others. | hope you don't find yours
very disagreoable."
"On the contrary Madame, | am quite
"a A..
is iii -htly peculiar, but aromatic and
truth, / didn't like it at all, but
wouldn't have said So for worlds.
We smoked on in silence; what would
this superb creature say to me, ! Won
dered. if were to tell her how madly |
had fallen in love with her? Would
she reject me with scorn, or would she
| gave 4 sudden start, and was shocked
10 find that | had been falling asleep.
( Fortunately madIme had not noticed
me, Her large, melancholy eyes were
bent upon the stove. There was GER
tainly something very soothing some
thing that inclined to slumber aud happy
dreams, about Madames peculiar cigar
cites. If had but f2,000 q year, now,
and this sweet creature to share IL with
me, how happy could | bel Certainly,
she must have been some six or seven
years older than myself but l never
was one TO care for your Chits Of school
girls, who set up for being women before
they are out Of their teens. Here was
an angel who had been cast on an unieel-
ing world, who had pined for a heart
and home. For heart that brimmeG
over with love. Gracious goodness /
had heart that yearned toward her
that-that- Why-eh-how was this?
And where was II
/ awoke with a shiver. But for the
lamp in the courtyard, the room would
have been quite dark. My head was
aching frightrully. | got up and stag
gered TO the window. When | looked
out and saw the familiar courtyard
everything came back to me like flash
Of light Where was Madame? Why
had slept no long2 What boor she
must take me to be. groped to the bell
and rang it violently. Up came a
waiter with a candle. Where is Mad
ame?" | demanded. Madame" he an
swered, event ont nearly three hours
ago, saying that she wanted to make a
few purchases, aud would be back in a
was her brother, who was suffering ter
ribly from nal de mer in crossing, TO be
disturbed. Madame" he added, "has
not returned
Gone three hours agol Her brother
Nal de mer! What could it all mean? As
| sat down utterly bewildcred, my arm
pressed against the little box in my
pocket. Mechanically glanced at my
finger. The ring was no longer there.
NV heart turned sick within me. sank
down and buried my face in my hands.
The waiter thought was i'll, and ran to
fetch some cognac. | saw 1t all now
Fool-fool that / was! | had allowed
myself to be swind!ed, and by common
adventures.
At nine o'clock next morning | stood
before my father miserable, haggard,
woe bcgone wretch. | told my tale, but
as ! did so | could not keep down my
tears-tears of mingled shame and vexa-
ton. lie listened to me with curious,
cynical smile. When | had done he
vent to his bureau and opened drawer.
"Set your mind at rest Ned he said;
"herc's the ring, safe and sound"
could only stare at him in OPEN
mouthed astonishment. "When Mad
anne, wi h the ring in her possession,
left you fast asleep, she was just in time
to catch the afternoon boat back TO D.
yer. The ring was in my bands again
before ten O'Clock last night"
"But-but," | stammcred out, 81 don't
understand. When she had once got
the ring in her possession, why did
she bring it back to you?'
Because she was paid TO do so. Be-
cause she was hired by me through the
AGENCY of a private inquiry office, TO act