The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-11-07
MADAME STEPHANIE.

MADAME STEPHANIE.
Algy Talbot, after much weary hun
ing hunting, found rooms to suit him
last in South Audley street. Not a
important circumstance, apparent,
for the rooms that were but require
pro tenn, while his family mansion
Grosvenor square underwent redccora
ing, yet the fact was destined to affe(
his whole after career.
ga lucky fellow, Algy!" was the. cor
slant comment of his friends, and the
numbered many of both sexes. Hi
luck consisted of his good luck, hi
popularity, his unfailing spirits, an,
last but not least, his immense wealth
But there was a crumpled leaf evel
in his luxurious couch of roses, though
he kept his trouble to himself and HE
his sorrow beneath the mask of gayety
''That lovely house ought to have ;
MISTRESS" frisky matron said to hin
one day, though in truth it was the
last thing she wished to see como tC
pass.
Algy laughed the matter off with q
merry retort, and believed implicitly
that at the mature age of three and
thirty he and love had bid adieu to each
other for evermore.
''I've been hard hit once" he said to
himself; 81 shan't run the risk again, ~
and he sighed little regretfully as he
shaved his firm, rounded chin and let
his eyes wander sadly across to the
empty house that faced him. The blank
windows began to appear as the emblem
of his own life, the vacant rooms served
to remind him of his own untenanted
heart.
One day to his great joy, the bill OPP
posite was taken down and the premises
handed over to the workmen. He
found himself almost unconsciously
watching the progress of their labors
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
plete in its freshness. The-wooden-
door had been replaced by glass one,
across the panes of which Madris
muslin was closely gathered in delicate
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 MADAME
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 or occupation of this mysterious
Individual.
But that Nine. Stephanie was not i
altogether unknown was speedily |
manifested by the string of Carriages |
so constantly standing before her door.
Algy became interested in spite of HIM
self; nay, more absolutely .curious.
He longed to part those tantalyzing |
curtains and take searching glance at
the room so artfully hidden from the
range even of his opera glasses. His
interest was still further excited by the /
daily appearance of a female form so
enveloped in long mantle that no
trace of figure could be distinguished,
while thick lace veil covered the face.
That this woman came every morning
at eleven and issued forth again at six
convinced him that she was no
customer. Her gait, which was grace
full, and the plaits of golden hair peep
ing from beneath the simple black
bonnet, revealed that she was young.
He began to conjecture as to the face
so persistently hidden, and even to long
with a surprising fervor for a glimpse
of the beauty he felt certain was con-
cealed.
One evening he sauntered to and fro
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 garments almost touched him as
she approached, but at the same mo- ;
nent another form appeared in the
doorway and shrill voice exclaimed: {
"Ah, Nine. Stephanie, mile pardons,
nais-"
Nine. Stephanie turned and re-enter- |
ID the shop. Algy had never connect |,
ID this mysterious daily visitor with
he gold letters, and the truth was !
eyelation to him. He strolled to and
70 meditatively, awaiting her second
.dvent, and then deliberately followed r
Ter across Grosvenor square. He saw I
Ter glance up at the scaffolding before a
is own house and fancied he heard s
igh. He could not tell. She neither L
lackened nor increased her pace, but K
uddenly she hailed FASTING hanson W
nd jumped in. He failed to hear the e
iven directions, and there was not an n
Their hanson in sight; so, with a sigh W
disappointment, he abandoned his l
,arch and returned to his lodgings. C;
o-morrow he would try again; the
lop could not disappear in the night, cl
either could Nine. Stephanie neglect
n business. ~
But many days elapsed before he saw W
rain the well-known form, and he grew W
lpatient at this Illustration OF his de- ne
.es. He marvelled at his own Keen 10