The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1886-10-07
ALMOST A BURGLAR.
HOW Mrs. Valletort Saved Her
Husband from Crime.

People were always asking each
other how the Valletorts kept their
heads above water. They were known
to be in state of chronic impecunios-
ity. and vet, somehow or other, they
contriyed to show a bold front to the
world. Their pretty riverside villa at
Twickenham was furnished luxurious
". Captain Valletort, who had re-
tired from the service some years be-
FORE drove dashing mail phaeton and
pair; and Mrs. Valletort was one of
the best-dressed women in London.
How it was done no one knew. Capt
ain Valetort dabbled on the Stock Ex-
change, and was one of the best ecarte
PLAYERS going, but neither of these
sources of income was likely to afford
him the means of gratifying his very
expensive tastes. Mrs. Valletort had
no private fortune; but she, too, spent
good deal of money, although she
was always telling her friends she was
dreadfully hard up, for Edward had
made several unfortunate speeulations
lately. etc., etc.
Still, in spite of this, the impecuni-
Gus pair lived in good style and were
apparently prosperous. They were in
debt of course, but by some unknown
means they kept creditors and duns at
bay. They did not entertain much,
but as Mrs. Valletort was extremely
pretty and her husband had the knack
of max 'ng himself agreeable in society
and made it a rule never to borrow
money of his friends, the Vailetorts
were good deal in request at dinners
and dances during the season. People
were always glad to see them, for their
light-hearted, semi-boheman gayety
was wonderfully Infectious. and no
dinner party at which they were pres
ent ever went off badly. Captain Val
letort was, besides, extremely popular
at his club-the Bayonet; and Charles
Fenton. of the Guards, was in the habit
of saying that he would rather lend
money to Ned Valletort than to any
man he knew. 1t was fortunate he
took that view of the matter, for the
unhappy youth very often rose heavier
loser when the Captain employed his
talents against him; and it was equally
fortunate that the latter possessed the
difficult art of winning gracefully, for
ecarte was his principal means of
bringing grist to the mill, and many
men less philosophic than young Fen
ton might have declined to try their
+ luck a second time against such skill
as his, had it not bcen for the pleasant,
good-humored, nonchalant way in
which the Captain pocketed his win
nings.
One morning the husband and wife
were seated at breakfast when the
Captain looked up suddenly from a
newspaper he was earelessly reading.
and said with sudden cagerness, as his
eye caught an announcement among
the ''deaths:" s.
MY dear. wasn't Lady Araminta
Belchambre a godmother of yours?"
YES, but why do you askp'
.'She's dead-died at Mentone a
week ago.
Mrs. Valletort clasped her hands. and
her eyes frightened.
~. Ned!l / wonder if-if she has
LEFT me any. thing can't pretend to
De sorry she is dead" she added half
spologetieally, because she was ever
50 old, and | haven't seen her since
was child
MY Gear Lila, don't think that /
expected you to dissolve into tears at
,l'e news, he interrupted, with a short
lsassh. sl '.We always agree to be can
dldwith each other. You didn't care a
straw for Lady Araminta living; but If
sae has really done her duty as a god
mot mother by putting you down in her
i VIII Tor handsome sum am quite
Wiling that you should get up any
nsmount OF enthusiasm for her virtue.
aa Su1, seriously. do you think it likely
she has done so?''
y think it just possible she may, "
saia s'i, Mrs Vahetort, looking thought
.alaf at the flowers on the table. Il
eisa had written to her oftener.''
IL Is no good regretting any thing
ny. aaat sortnow, my ttear. We shall
mooably hear in a day or two from her
So. l'ors-that is, if you are really
u0xn for legacy" ..rrf :
Will be a wonderful piece oi
ss saek II | am.' remarked his wife,
ratlng sra her coffee thoughtfully. .sWe
nar s sSseadfully short of money Just
s.aptain Valletort assented.
,b;. " you think we could raise any,
laal g On my expectationsp" said Lila,
oa,ng IN up brightly. 83ss3fgastl
na anl y AFRAID not. Old Morris made
II \
Vance, '''ou' Tue i"s' 's'a' m
b, afa ny ,salletorts pretty face clouded,
I ouiy Tor . moment; her native