Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1885-06-12

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| the stroller.
"And are you going to play tonight
| sirPN and what is the admission
moneyP
| TO you my pretty mountain-bird,
nothing. Never let it be said that
| Victor Samson. comedian, tragcdian,
and manager took money from so
charming a damscl See. here is n
card of admission. And now, fair
maid, will YOU give n poor player Il
drink of milk, or even waterP'
"Oh, surely sir, surely, cried the
girl delightcdly. "A card of admis-
sion to the play She continued. read
ing the ticket. land in the front seats!
Oh, this is delightful! Come in, sir,
come in, pray will get you milk. y
Thanks, thanks, sweet one, said
Samson, gallantly chucking her under
the chin rs he entered,
The girl hurried on, and returned
in moment with a cup of milk, which
she gave him.
My girl" said the stroller iaunt-
lily, will you go after my campany,
and tell them to encamp that | am
tired and will rest awhile hcre?'
surely sir, surely" said Ninon,
cheerfully. Il will return in "A few
moments.
Then the girl left the manager of
the strolling players TO himself.
Samson surveyed the hut with the
air of Il man who could appreciate
| comfort and who had not been accus-
toned to much of it,
The girl had not been gone min
ute, when another man entered-so
stcalthly rs not to disturb the stroller
| until be spoke.
"llolloa, friend Sansonr'
He who was addressed started, and
an exclamation broke from him:
Hubert Malissey not dcadi'
Victor Sanson-not lnngcdl lla,
ha. ha!' laughed the other. with grim
pleasantly. II am sure. worthy friend,
it is full time
Samson gazcd at the newcomer as
though doubling the evidence of his
senses. He who was addressed as
| Hubert MalisSey was by no means Il
| pleasant specimen of humanity. Low
| browed, black-haircd, swarthy, and of
forbidding features, he looked the
brawny ruillan that he was. His dress
partOok somewhat of that of a noun
tain shepherd, dashed with little of
the mendicant, and with a great deal
of the brigand and vagabond.
why, | thought you were dead
| had been shot; SO they said"
$50 who said?" asked Hubert, smil-
ing grimly.
why. all your friends at Genoa"
"Ah, well, you see, for once they
were wrong 1t is true | was left for
dead in the mountains, but was found
by goat-herd. who took me to his hut,
and tended me till was well; and now,
you see, here | am"
"And what are YOU doing here?'
What am | doing here? Ha, ha!
that's good. Why. do you know that
this is my house, my furniture?"
"Yoursr
Eyes, mine"
"How?"
'Do you know who occupies this
housc?"
Not bit. "
Then will tell you; one Margaret
d Ar6cl, supposed 10 be "A widow
well, what of that?'
"Eyerything of that. my friend, con-
sidering that Margaret d'Arbel is not
a widow"
moi a widow said Samson
NO; her husband is alive"
alive"
Eyes; and | am he"
"Thc dcvilv'
AYE, it is the devil indeed And
now, friend Samson, let me ask YOU
question: What are YOU doing hcreP'
what am | doing herc?- nothing.
saw Il pretty girl at the door, and
making an excuse that | wanted a
drink, entered; that is all And you
have You come to claim your wife after
your long absenceP'
"Not |. Listen, SAMSON
Hubert approached, and said in a
low tone: i've got little business on;
| have come for a child"
~ child!-your own childP' said
Samson, who was completely myst-
fed.
"Confound it! no, man. Some one
olse's chiId-a girl. a thousand du-
cats for an infant girl-what think you
of that?'
"a thousand ducatsm
Aye, thousand ducats. VIII you
join me and share?"
How are they to be oarned?'
Listen. Ny wife Margaret thinks
] have been dead for years as did you
| have discovered that she takes chill
dren in to nurse She has one now,
an infant girl (and here he sunk his
voice to an ominous whisper). worth Il
thousand ducats.
"a wealthy noblcman has offered
me thousand ducats to procure him
a female child. His carriage is now
without the village; in few minutes
he will drive through. ! shall hand
him the child, and 20 TO seek my re-
ward whenever it pleases me. want
your help--at least | may want it; and
l offer you a share. What say your"
"A thousand ducats-a share! IT'S
tempting, certainly, to poor devil
like me- But steal a child The child
will not be injured?"
mo"
IL am with you, and will meet you
anon
So saying, Victor Samson went out.
"Look here, my friend the other
cried after him. 'pind you keep your
tongue between your teeth, or-you
know Hubert Malissey," in low,
threatening tone.
When Samson had left, he looked
around the room. His eyes fell on
cradle in one corner. Advancing toit,
he drew back the curtain. An infant
lay asleep, sleeping the calm sleep of
innocence-a sleep which for many
L. TI,,l Ill