The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1884-10-17
NINE. sTEPHANIE.

Algy Talbet after much wenry
lodging-huhting, 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. I
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 gayety.
THAT lovely house ought to have a
MISTRESS" 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 a
merry retort, and believed implicitly
that, at the mature age of three-and-
thirty, he and love had babe adieu to
each other for evermore.
''I've been hard hit once" he said
to himself; II shan't run the risk
again." and he sighed 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 OPP
posite was taken down, and the prem
Uses 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 state of paint and white
wash, this dainty little abode was COM
pletc in its freshness. The wooden
door had been replaced by glass one,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,
cunningly parted to reveal large palms
in blue pots. The house, from its out
ward appearance, might have been the
pretty nest of 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 cnlighten 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 III
longed to part those tantalizinl
curtains, and take a searching glanc'
at the room SO artfully hidden from thu
range even of his opera glasses. Hi
interest was still further excited by thu
daily appearance of one female form 81
enveloped in a long mantle that n,
trace of figure could be distinguishable
while thick veil covered the face. Tha
this woman came every morning at IL
and issued forth again at 6, speedil,
convinced him that she was graceful
and the plaits of golden hair peepinl
from beneath the simple black bonnet
revealed that she was young. He be
gan to conjecture of the face so per
sistently hidden, and even to long witt
surprising fervor for glimpse of tn
beauty he felt certain was concealed.
One evening he sauntered to and fir
before the house at the hour he knew
she was likely to take her departure
His heart beat fast as the door opene,
and the well-known figure issued forth
Her garment almost touched him a
she approached, but, at the same mo
ment, another form appeared in tn
distance, and shrill voice exclaimed
"Ah, Nine. Stephanie, mile pdrdons
mails -"
Nine. Stephanie turned and re-en
tered the shop. Algy had never con
nected this mysterious daily visito
with the gold letters, and the trutl
was revelation to him. He strolle'
to and fro, meditatively, awaiting he
second advent, and then deliberately
followed her across Grosvenor square
He saw her glance up at the scaffold
/ ing before his own house, and fancie'
he heard a sigh. Was she aware h
was following herp He could not tell
She neither slackened nor increased he
pace, but suddenly hailed a passin,
hanson and jumped in. He failed t.
hear the given direction, and there wa
not another hanson in sight; so, witt
a sigh of disappointment, he aban
doned his search and returned to hi
lodgings. Tomorrow he would tr.
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 weil-known form, and h
grew impatient at the Illustration o
| his desires He maryeled at his owl