The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1883-03-15
WAS SHE a WOMAN.

WAS SHE A WOMAN.
The Strange Being that Gay Dragon Met
at Midnight in the Fog.
If my memory is good it was in the
year 1879 that the incredible fact which
| am going to relate took place in the
good city of Compiegne. Many of the
inhabitants still remember the excite
ment which the incident caused, and
people speak of it under their breath.
Know then that that evening / was
completely filled with melancholy. 1
had just taken coffee, and it was execra-
BILE. In order to forget that annoyance,
I had sought amends in the pleasant
smoke of cigar, and that smoke was
acrid. The cold was biting, ennui was
entering the house by every pore and by
every door. and was even penetrating
through the windows, when a violent
| ring of the bell resounded in my ear l
went to open the door in a very bad hu-
NOR.
"Ah, l find you inn exclaimed my
friend Deschamps, springing into the
room with a vivacity which seemed to
me very singular, as he was person of
quiet manners, rather serious than live
ly.
''What is the matter?" I asked, shut
ting the door.
Nothing he replied, "only was
afraid you might have gone out, and 1
am glad to meet you again.
Come in, then / replied, land well
come. | must admit that you have
dropped in providentially, for 1 really
believe | was becoming ennuied, and if
you will grant me the pleasure of your
| company for little while, you will save
me from that catastrophe"
Gabriel Deschamps, Captain of Dra-
goons, was of a slightly romantic ma
ture. He easily persuaded himself that
all the women adored him, and when
he had imbibed little too much ab-
sinthe, which happened quite often, that
is to say every day, no one was more
| tender. A perfect conquerori Physical
| ly, he would be called handsome man.
having high color, thick moustache, red
| lips, well-shaped nose and bright eye
As he entered there was no visible
change in his appearance, the muscles
of his face did not indicate any disturb
ance of his mind but thought him pale
and fatigued?"
Well / said. what news?n
"Well, my friend. have come, Just
| as you see me, from Compiegne, he re-
piled.
From Compiegne?"
From Compiegne, on horseback,
eighteen leagues, at full speed
''At full speed? Then you have de-
serted?'
"Ah, something else, quite as good"
"Well, what is it then? You don't
know how you excite my curiosity. Is
there duel in the case?''
There is to be no duel"
''What then?n
There, there; l am afraid you will
make fun of me-
You would not allow that, Cap
tain.
.Who can tellp Have you not, you
scribblers for the papers, ways of ridic-
uling people which leave them in doubt
| whether to smile or to wiring your
| nose?'
Come, uncork the bottle, my dear
Captain. and drink little glass of
brandy"
No, thank you. will not drink to-
day"
Then it is more serious than /
thought. Ideclare have never seen
| you so excited,
1T is so stupid for me not to under
stand it, and that is why have come to
see you this evening. You. who are a
| skeptic, perhaps can give the key of the
| phenomenon which disturbs my mind. y
Speak, and | will listen. and believe
me, my dear Captain, with all due in
| terest."
First, you must know that have the
good fortune of possessing lady friend
Hum! l suspected that before you
said it"
"Oh, if you are going to joke me
That's all. my dear captain. Hence
forth l am mum. Continue.
So, thus reassured, he begau:
''Well, then, | have charming friend
with whom | am quite seriously in love,
l acknowledge. Three days ago, being
at liberty and not knowing how to kill
time, left the barracks with one of nv
friends-the first lieutenant of my regi-
ment-to take walk along the river
bank. Night commenced to fall. and a
villainous fog which you could have
cut with a knife rose over the Disc,
and threatened quickly to spread over
the city,
81 say, Gabriel" exclaimed my
friend Dulaurier, slightly ruffied by the
cold and the north wind which was blow
ing, ARE you so heated that an hour 5
walking along the river is necessary to
cool you off? For my part, l don't en-
JOY it very much and if you like we will
go to the Cafe Chapins and have glass
of punch
In faith, no. replied; prefer to
go and see Julie. Il need not tell you
that is my friends name.) VIII you
come with me?'
"'1es, indeed answered Dulaurier.
An hour spent with pretty woman is
always agreeable
1--WE proceeded toward the Faulbouro
Hurtebize, where my friend lives. The
distance was quite long, but the expec-
tation of warming ourselves at the blaze
of a comfortable hearth was enough to
abridge it. Unfortunately we were mis-
taken in our calculations. Julie was
out The servant told US very indefinite
", that madame would probably dine
out and that she intended to spend the
eTening at the theatre
by my faith exclaimed Dulaurier,
at this bad news. we are in luck, and