Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1885-03-26
CHAPTER. III.

| When l awoke next morning it was 70 Won
der what could be the hour Of day. felt as
if had slept sufficiently, end yet the Light in
the room seemed strangely dim. 1t might
have been early morning
| / looked across the room to the corner in
which stood Raours truckle-bed, opposite my
own. Raoul still slept, and soundly, to judge
from his deep, regular breathing. I knew
that lie must have been late the night before;
| had fallen asleep before he returned
| Presently heard the heavy foot of Pierre,
our landlord and servant in one, mounting
the stair, and then his knock at the door.
SIS that you, Pierre?'
"It is /, with letter for Monsieur, and ono
also for M. Girard."
| Twas about to rise to admit him, when /
noticed that the key was not in the lock O;
the door. Evidently Raoul had not secured
the door behind him last night, as it was his
habit to do.
''Enter, then; the key is on your side, is it
not?' a..
"Ah, it is truel" Next minute he had en-
tered the room, and coming to my bedside,
handed me the two letters.
what o'clock is it. Pierre"
"It is half-past eleven, Monsieur"
41o"i SlCFch! w AJ, ~ 10 u
veritable twilight in this roomr'
"If Monsieur looks at the window he will
see the reason Of that"
Hooked at the window in tho ceiling of our
attic room, and saw that it was covered with
snow.
"What frightful weatherl You will find
two faggots in the closet, Pierre; have the
goodness to light fire, and hang these clothes
before it, And make as little noise as pos
sible, if you please. M. Girard still sleeps"
IN. Girard was very late last night" re-
marked Pierre; sit was after two when I let
him in."
$50 late as thatg' said, surprised. Raoul
could not then have gone to visit Nine. Du-
maine and Gabrielle; he never stayed there
after II at latest. Where had he been?
While Pierre was making up the fire,
read the letter he had brought me- 1t was
from my father, in answer to an appeal for
money-a desperate appeal, and useless, as I
had expected. Unlike myself, my father was
man of principle; and one of his principles
tho one l found personally most incon-
venient-was this: Not q SOU till quarter-day
He made me good allowance, which, in those
days of wild and thoughtless youth, was
accustomed to spend with rapidity. Raoul
was always poor; was, at intervals, rich for
a few days; then plunged into frightful pow
erty, owing to my parents stern resolve
neverlt to antedate supplies. had also nu-
merous creditors, and had become proficient
in the art Of doubling cape"-that is, slip
ping round a street corner when one of these
appeared. 1t was my custom, when the funds
began to sink, to leave my comparatively
luxurious room in the Rue de Medicis,
with their pleasant view over the
Luxembourg gardens, and install myself in
Raoul's garrett, amid the din and squalor
Of the Rue Dauphine. His companionship
more than made up for the discomfort, tho
cold and the occasional pinch of hunger. We
were fast friends, financed in common and
had no secrets from each other Raoul was
very different from me-frugal, industrious,
indulging in few pleasures, but always frank
and gay, however empty his pockets. We
were both students Of law and our final ex-
animation was now not far off. had never
regretted my improvidence until now. But,
when saw how little ready money would
have enabled Raoul and myself to leave
aside all other work and give ourselves to our
law books, did regret it. And therefore,
some days ago, had written that letter to
]
orable answer than the exceedingly curt and
decided one l received.
Pierre had by this time hndled the fire, and
was arranging before it, on the backs Of the
two chairs cur attic boasted, Raouls damp
clothes and mine. All at once he uttered al
exclamation of surprise, which startled me
from my sGudy of the parental letter. elbow!
look ther at the coat of NJ Grard! The
sleeve is ripped up right to the shoulder"
"Whati the sleeve ripped up, do you say!'
''Toyn completely, Monsieurl But what is
to be done. Monsieur has but one coat at
present, and until it is repaired"
lie cannot leave this room, Of course. 1t
| is very awkward. How can he have done itl'
If Monsieur desires. will take the coat
downstairs to Nannettc. who will sew it sufli-
,jently we'll. Monsieur doubtless remembcl $
what the little tailor at the corner says-that
ne will do absolutely nothing more for Mon
sieur until his bill Is paidi"
"It is true, Pierre: Irccollect the words of
the little wr>'ch Ny al! means. take the
| Beware of Frauds.-Be sure you ge