The daily gazette., 1883-11-22
An Opportunity.

lamiJ near the rustling Of the leaves Of a
~ II was pleasant 70 know that Romeo
o, near. and It was also pleasant to have
i'm aware of ber presence. Gould not
N0T.S when he came home, be prevailed
~ to extend friendly hand to this dark
NrangATg But his holiday was 30
rt. and ne had so many old friends to
m. that she was afraid he would only
Er game OF her fancy for Romeo.
y.rais revere was suddenly Interrupted by
catering Of the fre-irons; the smaller
r,orlry. released by the other, was care
Xiv inspecting the glittering poker and
,an5s. while the elder money, without
feort unfastened his own chain and left It
,rinO on the floor. He gave Dora know
gg look and started on tour Of investiga-
,Ion about the room, the girl timidly follow
nr to rescue whatever Of value might come
hi IFS way.
lie at length spled, half hidden on the dis
rspd grate, the kettle of the spirit.lamp
rbieb served to brew Mr.. Leonard's tea, still
rartly full of water which had not yet
toolrd. The thirsty monkey plunged bis
head INTO the little kettle, which proved,
I'M. so tight fit that It utterly refused to
rome of Blinded and frightened, the
monkey darted about the room, shaking
nd twisting his head till the water flew In
al directions. This was the signal for q
Mil lrolic for both the monkeys, which
Dora tried in vain 10 quiet. While rescuing
tbc ink stand from the clutches of one, the
other tore in shreds as many as he could
seize of the valuable law papers scattered ON
M table. The elder monkey, having finally
freed himself from the kettle flung It with
crash into the court, and then sprapg to the
top Of the cabinet, where the Louis XI. plate
was enshriEed.
Dora was horror-strickeD as she saw the
monkey dexterously undo the fastenings
and take the plate from It's velvet bed. She
felt that something desperate must be done
70 save the precious relic. The clerks were
all dismissed, no servant was within call,
and their was no one to help her. The mon
KEY raised tho plate above his head and be-
gan an exciting chatter with his mate. Dora
fsw 10 the window, expecting every minute
10 hear the crash Of the priceless porcelain,
spd leaning far out, called, with as steady
voice as she could summon
"Do please come and help me; the mon
kcys arc destroying eYerything-there is not
moment to lose 70
IN lcr fight Dora had hardly realized that
tbp long wished-for interview with Romeo
81 had come at last. A far harder heart than
Romeo's could not have resisted those be-
,e,ching tones or the pretty, appealing look
Oh TIE girls face, and in an instant the
wuug man had swung himself from the
fscufy to the Office window, and, sprinRing
ga0y to the floor took In the situation at a
glance.
Can you save the plate ?" said Dora,
clasIdng her hands convulsively.
Blt her words were unnecessary. With
au ease and quickness that seemed magical,
hc M conner had dragged the heavy table
against the cabinet, and, with the further
& aid A chair, raised himselfto the monkeys
a tlth. With cry of delight Dora saw the
monkey slip TO the floor, leaving the plate
ugusrncd in ROmeo's hands.
Atlbls juncture the door opened softly,
aud Miss Matilda peeped in timidly
Romeo, with his legs dangling from the top
Of lic cabinet, was the frat object her eyes
Gptt,d upon.
bora, what is the meaning of thIsl Why
hus-person intruding herp
"lt means, aunt Matilda, that we have to
tlauk thie gentleman for saving papa's plate
from The monkeys clutches. You may well
imagine the scene that would have ensued
lit Lad been broken. Please don't waste
any time In EXPLANATIONS, but take of your
gloves and help me to put the room In order
before papa comes. Fortunately for you he
unaccountably delayed"
Miss Matilda, completely frightened into
admission, flew to assest in putting the
rolm to rights, and, with the aid of Dora
and Romco, order was soon restored. The
torn letters and papers were hastily col
II tcitd to be reeopied, the monkeys were dis
tateh,d to the attic, Romeo reluctantly re-
~, and when Mr.. Leonard at length re-
Hhel, he found Dora sitting quietly as he
4 n lett, with her book, at the window. A
I hTy9usness of manner and q pair of
dimplrG cheeks unusually flushed escaped
the notice of the man whose mind was full
Of tar details of a new case which he had
teen discussing.
Dora, do you not think we had better
include the young man next door among
our guests for Wednesday evenings" Miss
4 Matilda asked OF her niece. "Bob can call
& th.re the day before, and your father will
.liuk the acquaintance has sprung up
entirely through him."
We certainly owe him civility, aunt,
and think your suggestion very good
oue, Dora answered quietly, though her
heart beat high with pleasant anticipations.
Antonio Sardi, which proved to be
Romco's proper name, lost no time in writ
ing an acceptance of Miss Leonard's kind
invitation for Wednesday, Dora, reading
bis p0lile note at the breakfast table, left
tls envelope lying undecided near her fat
hers plate.
Later, while the two ladies were discuss
Ing q important question Of flowers for the
ausp.C0us evening, Mr.. Leonard entered
the room with torn envelope in his hand.
sNhat induced Bob to strike up friend
ship with the young scamp next door9 He
might have been better employed during bis
short holiday" he began.
"Dh, papa, he's not a scampl He"
Dora stopped suddenly.
sIucn what right has he to make use ol
flat spalg Lookl Is 1t not the fac -simile oi
your grandfather'sl This fellow had some
foolish idea of appearing we'll connected,
but has unfortunately stolen seal that ls
very familiar to US. will inquire into thi'
and speak to Bob; one cannot be too eau
tous with these Foreigners"
The old gentlemen's investigation con
Cefuiug the seal threw the Leonard family
into the greatest excitement. On question,
ing Young Sardi he told a clear, succinc'
,story Of his past life and parentage. Hi
father, an Italian of noble family, had mar.
rel an English lady, whom he deserted
shortly after the birth of their only child
1Acv heard of his death in Russia after
yards, and few years later his mother diet
also leaving INSTRUMENTATION in the
Wofd. Ii was his mothers crest that he hat
used upon the note addressed to Miss Leon
ard; It was strange that it should so resem
Die the seal of the Leonard family.
"Did your mother ever speak OF iriends II
ENGLAND 2D