The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1882-01-19

eHrlY Dr6dRIuSU.
While the artist partook of the
fragrant coffee, delicious rolls and
honey, Louisette endeavored to amuse
him by relating some of the incidents
which transpired at the hospital. From
time to time she succeeded in causing a
faint smile to appear on the wan face as
she aptly initiated the four eccentric
old ladies.
One morning Louisette entered Paga-
minis room at the customary hour, but
the greeting was pronounced in most
doleful tone. Her eyelids were badly
swelled, her cheeks void of color, and a
very sorrowful expression played around
the finely-cut mouth.
"What is the matter, my poor Louis
cite ?" asked Paganini.
"Oh am so unhappy |" Then she
hesitated, apparently checked by the
fast-falling tears and child-like sobs
that came in quick succession,
Paganini allowed her to weep undis-
turbed for few moments, then said, in
a most sympathetic tone: "Tell mo
your troubles. Perhaps can devise a
way to alleviate them"
"Oh no, kind sir. No one in the
world can help me-"
"Tut, tut l am inclined to believe
some lover is the cause of all your
grief"
Louisette colored and dropped her
head.
"The wretch Has he broken his
vows?' asked Paganini, with smile.
"Nol mol" replied Louisette. "My
dear Henri loves me too much to do any
thing so cruel as that"
She could not continue, and, throw
ing herself upon a chair, commenced
sobbing as if her heart would break.
Paganini stepped to the window
whc re she was seated, took her hand in
his, and said, very seriously: "Have you
confidence in me, Louisette
"Oh yes, sir" she replied.
every well, my dear child. Dry
your tears, and we will endeavor to
remedy the evil, however serious it may
chance to be-"
"Henri has drawn an unfortunate
NUMBER" said Louisette, speaking very
rapidly. :" He must join the army end
leave for Lille on the morning express. '
Can he not procure O substitute p
"a substitute How could we ever
dream of raising such sum-"
Would it require very much
money!"
"Fifteen hundred francs are de-
manded, on account of the prospect OF
war;"
"Well, your misfortune is not sc
serious, after all. Wipe away those
tears and let. me see your merry
tace once more. I will exert my.
elf to obtain this formidable sum.
am sure that my efforts will
be crowned with success"
Louisette warmly thanked the violin.
lst, dried her tears with the corner OF
her white apron, and disappeared, with
a face radiant with Joy and hope.
Winter advanced, and Christmas
with its feathery garb Of snow ar {
crown of holly was on the Threshold
once more. 1t gently raped at the
door of every dwelling, and at this sig
nal families assembled around the
cheerful hearth, their hearts warn
with love and goodwill to man. The
little children filed their shoes will
hay and placed them in the fireplace
that Santa Claus might see them righ
away when he jumped down the chin
ney with all the presents they had or
dered; and the little homeless one
came and offered prayer at the doc
while breathing in their hands, which
were blue and stiff with the piercing
cold.
at the Villa Lutetiana each one cele
brated Christmas according to hi
pleasure. Our four old ladies enjoyed
an animated game of cards; Will,
Paganini, seated in secluded corner O
the room, absorbed in an interesting
book, was wholly unconscious of tn,
malicious looks that were given hin
from time to time.
Suddenly the door opened and Louis
cite entered.
"Sir," said she, betraying much ex
citement, "a large box to your address
has arrived. The porter is waiting il
the vestibule."
"a box?" said Paganini, much aston
ished. "It must be a mistake. I d,
not expect anything"
But, sir, your address is on it,"
at is true, but that is all the came
l cannot conceive-where is the por
ter ?"
"Here he is, sir. He says he is in
hurry"
Whence comes this box? ?" as ket
Paganiai, regarding the man with sus
picion.
"From the office, sir. I do not know
anything more about it, except that i
was sent from Lyons or Orleans"
stranger and stranger" remarked
Paganini. 81 have not an acquaint
ance in either of these cities"
He paid him, however, thanks to tn,
interference of Louisette, who ha(
taken possession of the box.
The porter had hardly turned hi
back when Louisette, glancing at tn
box with much curiosity, eagerly said
81 will assist you to take it up to you
room, SIR"
"No, Louisette," replied Paganini
trying to refrain from smiling. "Leav
it there in the corner. Tomorrow will
be time enough to attend to it,"
"And you are not going to open it ?
asked Louisette, much disappointed.
3 "Yes, indeed, will, since you are 8
3 anxious to see its contents. Come, al
5 me, and we will have it open in fe'
{ moments"
They removed two layers OF hay
several bundles of brown paper, cut
: number of strings, and found at tn
J very bottom of the box an old sabot.
. "Well, am not much surprised,
said Paganini, sit is very nice inver