The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1884-10-23
NINE. STEPHANIE.

MNIE. STEPHANIE.
Algy Talbot, after much weary
lOdging-hunting, found rooms to suit
him at last in South Audley street. Not
an important circumstance, apparently,
for the rooms were but required pro
tenn, while his family mansion in
Grosvenor Square underwent redec-
Grating; yet the fact was destined to
affect his whole after career.
"A lucky fellow, Algyr' was the
constant comment of his friends, and
they numbered many of both sexes.
His luck consisted of his good looks,
his popularity, his unfailing spirits,
and, last but not least, his immense
wealth.
But there was crumpled leaf even
in his luxurious couch of roses, though
he kept his trouble to himself, and hid
his sorrow beneath the mask of gaysty.
That lovely house ought to have u
mistress, a frisky matrOn said to him
one day, though in truth it was the last
thing she wished to see come to pass.
Algy laughed the matter off with
merry retOrt, and believed implicitly
that, at the mature age of three-and-
thirty, he and love had bade adieu to
each other Tor eYermOre.
I've been hard hit once" he said
to himself; Il shan't run the risk
again." and he sighed a little regret
fully as he shaved his firm rounded
chin, and let his eyes wander sadly
across the street to the empty house
that faced him. The blank windows
began to appear as the emblem of his
own life, the vacant rooms served but
to remind him of his own untenanted
heart.
One day, to his great Joy, the bill op-
posite was taken down, and the prem
ises handed over to the workmen. He
found himself almost uncOnsciously
watching the progress of their labor
and hazarded an idle conjecture as to
the future owner; while yet his own
house was in a state of paint and white
wash. this dainty little abode was COM
plete in its freshness. The wooden
door had been replaced by a glass one.
across the panes of which Madras
muslin was closely gathered in deli
cate folds. The one large window was
draped with curtains of eastern stuff,
cnnningIy parted to reveal large palms
in blue pots. The house, from its out
ward appearance. might have been the
pretty nest of a pair of turtle doves but
for the two words. '.Mme. Stephanie, :"
which glittered in large gold letters
over the door. Only those two words.
Nothing TO enlighten the passing crowd
as to the nature of the trade and Occu-
patton of this mysterious individual.
But that Nine. Stephanie was not al
together unknown was speedily mani
tested by the string of carriages SO con-
stantly standing before her door. Algy
became interested, in spite of himself
nay, more, absolutely curious. He
longed to part those tantaliZing
curtains, and take searching glance
at the room so artfully hidden from the
range even of his opNra glasses. His
| interest was still further excited by the
daily appearance of one female form SO
enveloped in a lOr.g mantle that nc
trace of figure could be distinguishable.
while thick veil covered the face. That
| this woman came every morning at IL,
and issued forth again at 6, speedily
convinced him that she was graceful,
and the plaits of golden hair peeping
from beneath the simple black bonnet
revealed that she was young. be be-
gan to conjecture of the face so per
sistently hidden, and even to long with
surprising feryor for glimpse OF the
! beauty he felt certain was concealed,
One evening he sauntered to and frC
before the house at the hour he knew
she was likely to take her departure
His heart beat fast as the door opened
and the well-known figure issued forth
Her garment almost touched him a.
! she approached, but. at the same mo
| rnent, another form appeared in tn,
4 distance, and shrill voice exclaimed
\ "Ah, Nine. Stephanie, mile pdrdOns
4 !saats -"
1 Nine Stephanie turned and re-en
Gered the shop. Algy had never con
.peatad this mysterious daily visito
with the gold letters, and the trutl
was a revelation to him. He strOllet
to and fro. meditatiyeiy, awaiting he
second advent, and then deliberatel,
followed her across Grosvenof square
He saw her glance up at the scatfold
ing before his own house, and fancie'
he heard a sigh Was she aware h'
was following her? He could not tell
She neither slackened nor increased he
pace, but suddenly hailed passing
hanson and Jumped in. He failed t.
\
I not another hanson in sight; so, Will
a sigh of disappointment. he aban
doned his search and returned to hi
lodgings. Tomorrow he would TT.
again; the shop could not disappear il
the night, neither could Stephanie neg
lect her business.
But many days elapsed before he saw
again the well-knOwn form, and h
grew impatient ut the Illustration O
his desires. He marveled at his owl
keenness in the matter, but could no
shake of the haunting memOry or tn
golden hair and graceful figure. A
last he discovered by ehancs that Alme
Stephanie had altered her hours OF en-
trance and exit. He had risen early t
iOin some friends in country eXped
tion, when. glancing from his window
he saw the familiar form gliding in q
the shop door. In moment his re
solve was taken. Sending OF hast
line of excuse to his expectant friend:
he sat down to await Il more CONVEX
tional hour in which to pay the Oppe
site abode Il visit Penetrate tbs
sanctum he would, and. if possible se
|, Nine. Stephanie face to face, free frOI
all disguise Satisfied by an untirin
watch that she had not left the premi,
= es, he sauntered across about o clOcl
? and boldly opened the sacred door II
! found himself in what appeared ut fir:
more like lady's boudoir than a shol
! !! mating and Persian rugs beneath h
: feet, luxurious sofas and easy chair
. flowers and plants in abundance; SON
chests of drawers of excellent marquis
terie. and scattered abont on chsi
and tables some silken garments
4 delicate tints, A few hOnnets G