Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1885-04-03
Then he beam to talk in his szeep.

linen ne Oe0On 20 COtc m f2S steep.
the very same; recognize it well! :. Yes,
ne gave it to me himself, but that was year
ago; I have it no longer. .. sold it-you
know sold it, sold it to-to-ah, my God,
cannot remember-n Then his voice became
too faint for me to hear the words ''What the
devil does he mean by this nonsense?" said
to myself; perhaps a scene for some future
comedyg'
sent out for breakfast-two rolls of bread
and a half-bottle of Macon-and remained all
the afternoon beside Raoul, watching. About
4 o'clock he began to stir uneasily, then opened
his eyes and, seeing me seated by his bedside,
stretched out his hand and smiled. I felt in
sxpressibly relieved.
hfWhat is wrong with you, my dear Raoul?"
I.said; care you unwell?"
mo, No! Only have had bad dream
the worst dream I ever hadr' He passed his
hand over his eyes. "But am awake now,
thank God Have I slept long, Paulg'
can eternity! I thought you would never
wakenl Do you know, Raoul, you have fin
ished the morphia that was in the vial?'
Finished it? I don't seem to remember.
Tell me, was late last night?"
''Pierre says you did not return until after
two. I was asleep when you came i'm
Raoul started and looked at me strangely
GLOW cold it is in this room!n he said; ''see
how shiverw And indeed the hand which
he stretched out to me was trembling; when
I touched it, however, found it quite hot.
''You are feverish, my dear fellow" said
to him. ''This comes of infrequent dining.
Now, this is what I shall do. I shall spend
our two remaining francs on something re-
sembling a dinner-oh, yes! I have had
breakfast; I shan't want to cline till to-mor-
row, or the day afterl By that time, no
doubt, I shall have captured somehow that
shyest of all creatures, the fve-franc piece.
There must be some one still from whom I
can borrow"
In spite of Raouls protests, had some
food and half bottle of wine brought from
the restaurant over the way. He felt better
after this; the headache of which he had COM
planned left him; and he soon began to laugh
and talk in his usual manner. But he still
complained Of feeling weak, and I persuaded
him to remain all day in bed
"Let us begin at the English book, how
ever" he said; "for us time is money as the
English say"
mo, mol We need not begin at that,
Raoul You may say good-by to your trans
iating. The days of your bondage are over
you will never translate again!"
"What in Heavens name do you meang'
"Open and readl' cried, giving him the
letter. "Here is money, fame-everything
And it has not come a day too SOON"
Raoul took the letter; when he saw the
words ''Odeon Theatre" his face became
shade paler, but his hand was wonderfully
steady.
"You are rushing to conclusions, Paul. he
said; ''this letteris evidently from the admin
istration of the Odeon, but it may not"
cit can mean only one thing-that the
comedy is accepted Open it at once, for
Heavens sakel LIST us know the lest or the
worst-though, of course, it is the best.
am sure of it."
Raoul smiled and opened the letter. Thouga
be took it more quietly, knew he was quite
as anxious as myself I watched him as he
read; his glance seemed to fly along the lines;
@ look of satisfaction, almost exultation,
came over his face, and saw that the good
news had come. Raouf clasped my hand.
"You were right" he said; ''the comedy is
accepted! Readl"--then sank back nerve
lessly on his pillow.
This was the letter:
ODEoN THEATRE Dec. "A, 1856.
MONSIEUR: In tie name of the adIninistra-
ton of the Odeon theatre, I have the honor
to inform you that your comedy, ''The Gold
Of Toulouse" has been accepted for early
representation at the Odeon.
elm my own name, Monsieur allow me to
congratulate you on your work. 1t is more
than amusing; it is brilliant. This is the
opinion also of my colleagues who have read
it. I desire, Monsieur to make your ac-
quamtance, and request you to favor me by
a visit on an early day.
''Your comedy will be sent almost inme-
diately to rehearsal, and will be put on the
stage after the withdrawal Of NJ Victor's
piece, 'sThe Hunting Party" I shall have
the honor of intimating to you ere long the
day on which you will be requested to send
your comedy before the artists to whom the
parts will be allotted.
II subscribe myself, Monsieur, with every
assurance of esteem, your very humble, very
obedient servant,
"DESNOUETTES, Manager"
shall not try to describe our proceedings
during the next quarter Of an hour-or rather
should say my proceedings, for Raoul lay in
bed laughing, while I waltzed round the
room, hurled the English book into corner,
read the letter aloud with comments, waved
it triumphantly aloft, and performed other
absurdities; was, indeed, overjoyed Raoul
was going to be a great man!-he would
rival Scribe, Angler, Sardou, those giants OF
jhe stage-he would make his way into the
charmed circle of the Coincide Franchise! ]
said all this, which made him laugh NOR
than ever. Hebegged me to sit down, before
Pierre came up stairs to see which of us had
gone mad
''But you are satisfied 2" said to him sink