Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1885-02-20

made me very uneasy-for, if Master
Dick was not the hero of the escapade,
it was one of the most extraordinary
condolences that ever came before my
notice. =.
However, I pondered the situation
thoroughly and made my plans: My
life as sailor had been singularly de-
void of romance; but, sailor-like, my
pet study was romance; so it was with
mingled feelings of dread and pleasur-
able excitement that looked forward
to our arrival at Caen.
We arrived early on Saturday morn
ing; and, in spite Of all the precautions
I had taken, Alexis, in the hustle and
confusion attendant upon making fast
and warping alongside the quay, man
aged to get ashore before any one else.
I lost no time in making my way to the
office of Curtis & Co. Dick was there,
developed into portly family man
since we had last met, and was delight
ed to see me; and, as may be imagined,
in very few moments we were talking
Of old times and exchanging experience
es as only old chums can after long
separation.
"Youll come and dine with me. old
fellow, he said. As it's Sunday, 1 don't
suppose you'll begin to discharge. I've
nice little place just out of the town,
near the race course; and I'll introduce
you to the misses and the youngsters.
"What! Married? 1 cried. II should
have thought you were the last man in
the world to go for that sort of thing,
for I know you were always so full OF
the rights OF free unhampered man."
Yes-married, he replied" to
a Frenchwoman too; think of that"
A pallor came over my face I could
feel: I knew that what Alexis said was
true. and that my old friend was the
unsuspecting object of his vengeance.
Dick saw the change.
"Why, what's the matter" he said.
"You don't think any the worse Of me
for having a Frenchwoman, do you?
At any rate, you won't when you see
her and Judge for yourself, and when I
tell you that she's the dearest little
body in the world-far better than I
deserved"
"No,"I replied seriously, II don't
think any the worse of you for marrying
Frenchwoman. I'm not such mar
row. minded idiot as that for a good
wife is O good wife, be she Zulu, or a
Frenchwoman. or anything you like;
but"
"But what?" said dick impatiently.
So told him the story Of Alexis; and
xpou bic $1,rv, RI rrrnw oolo
"Rowever," I said, in conclusion,
"you leave it to me; it has caused me a
lot of anxiety, and have hit on plan.
But look there; I wouldn't show myself
much in the streets to-day if I were
you, for that fellow left the ship before
I did, and is proving about now with a
knife as long as your forearm, and if he
caught sight Of you, why"-and / fin
ished the sentence with a significant
whistle.
"Anyhow," Dick said, you'll be up
by six o'clock?"
Eyes, replied; land don't you be
about when 7 arrive"
Sowe parted.
Invent back to the ship. To my
surprise Alexis was on deck, waiting for
me.
well" IT said gayly, shave you found
your friend ?"
No, sar," he REPLIED; IT have look
very carefully at all re ships in port,
but can not see him. But will have
a look ashore dis evening ven re people
come from church"
"And you mean to kill him if you do
see him ?" / said.
"Mon Dieu, Monsieur lie Capitaine,
but vat else can / do? He have insult
me and my brozer and re lieutenant and
re ole family What else can I do :" he
answered.
"Well, carpenter" I said, Elm going
to dine and sleep ashore tonight, and
I want hand to carry my portnan-
teau."
''I will do it, sar, I will do it, if you
wish me to carry it to ze end Of re
world" he offered.
Every we'll then; I shall be ready in
half an hour"
At the expiration of that time I was
on my way to Dick Curtis's house, Al
exis following me with the portman teau
on his shu3lder. We arrived at the
house-a typical French biiou mason
de campagne, standing within its own
gardens, which betrayed their English
ownership by their unusual trimness
and neatness.
"Wait outside" I said to Alexis, and
entered.
Mrs. Curtis-a pleasant-looking lit
tie woman, coquettishly yet modestly
attired, a strange contrast to her rag
muffin Of brother outside met me.
,."tI must introduce myself" I said,
"as very old friend of your husbands.
and he has asked me to dine and to
sleep the night here" ss.'#
Madame in excellent English, as
sured me that she was charmed to see
me, and led the way into a pretty little
boudoir, overlooking the race-course.
L You may think 1T strange" l re-
marked, "that I have come here so
much in advance of your dinner-hour;
but I have something very important to
tell YOU" FL y $50
I said this seriously so that the little
woman was alarmed.
81 You speak so gravely," she returned,
chat I fear something has happened"
surelo my poor Dick"
s He is all right, I assure you," I
interposed; "but he may not be all right
unless we are careful" .s~.f..-
6 Explain yourself, monsieur, I pray,
said Mrs. Curtis, with the tears standing
inner black eyes mild reflections Of the
fiery orbs Of Alexis. - Il
Simply, madame" answered, "your
brother Alexis is here, and he is search
ing for your husband