Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1886-07-08

culprit, he fastened the decoration
neatly, but conspicuously to his breast,
put on his great-coat, buttoned it care
fully over the garment ornamented
with the tell-tale bit of red without quite
knowing what he was about, being in a
mental condition somewhat resembling
that of those who ''see stars in the
daytime, he climbed up into the seat of
an omnibus and was in due time set
down at Auteuil.
There Exupere entered cafe and Or
dered ''bock.' He seemed to be suf-
locating like man stricken with apo
plexY. In order to breathe more freely
he unbuttoned his top-coat and before
him in mirror he saw a man on whose
breast glistened something like a purple
spark. He had surrendered himself to
the guilty contemplation of this marvel.
when he was abruptly aroused by the
voice Of the landlady:
Joseph, bring me the illustrated
Journal on table No. 8; it is lying be-
fore that gentleman with the decora-
tion."
A cold perspiration suddenly broke
out on the forehead of the unfortunate
man, whose senses had a moment be-
fore been wrapped in delicious revery;
he hurriedly rebuttoned his coat, threw
fve-franc piece on the table and
rushed from the room without waiting
for his change. The shock had been q
terrible one.
That evening on returning home,
Exupere was accosted by his concierge,
who handed him an official-looking doc.
ument
"a Garde Republican on horseback
just left that for monsieur.
He read the address, ITO Monsieur
Gobelin, Rue de la Condamine, 1907"
and in one corner these printed words !:
"Bureau of the Grand Chancellor OF
the Legion of Honor"
Poor old Exupere's head swan, and
he felt as though he were about to faint
in the arms Of the concierge. He,
however, managed to stumble up to his
apartments, rang, rushed past his
astonished servant and locked himself
into his own room.
"It's all over" he muttered. II
have been discovered, and shall have to
60 to prison! am disgraced-ruined!
Oh, what fate!'
Had the retired insurance agent been
the happy possessor of more hair his
bristling locks and the terror-stricken
aspect Of his countenance would have
exactly reproduced the head of "Orestes
pursued by the Furies." After some
time fhe nerved himself to the task OF
opening the fatal missive. 1t read thus:
| MY DEAR FRIEND: Your very proper am.
bition has been satisfied; you have at last
received well-merited reward l have
been ordered by the Secretary. General to
| make out your nomination for the Legion OF
Honor. 1t Is with the greatest satisfaction
that communicate this good news to an
old and dear comrade in arms.
Yours, -.
Ofcourse, according to all precedent
the signature of the official was entirely
illegible.
Exupere rubbed his forehead and ask.
ed himself whether he was really insane.
He carefully reread the letter, tried te
make out the name of the writer, and
swallowed at one gulp half the contents
of a carafe of cold water. By this op.
Grafton he recovered something of his
usual equanimity and observation-disclosures.
"The communication" he argued with
himself, ''is either stupid joke or il
really intended for some namesake o.
mine who lives in this same street. ]
will inquire into the matter"
He started at once, and his quest was
soon ended. At No. $50 he found the
mystic sign: FURNISHED rooms"
''Is there any one named Gobelir
herep" he asked at The Office, and on re
ceiving a reply in the affirmative h,
climbed up to the fourth story. At tn,
end of dingy corridor he found care
nailed to door and bearing the legend
albert Gobelin."
"Ah!'' said Exupere to himself, 'm,
worthy cousin from Africa"
He knocked. A young woman, will
regular features, mild-eyed and sad look
ing, opened the door. A small oil lam
on table lit up the features of girl o
seven or eight who was industriousl,
J working at her exercises. This pretty
blonde child, suspending her occupation
for moment, cast anxious, inquirin,
chances at the stranger. In the shadow
that covered the end of the room an
! other pair of eyes were also watchin,
Exupere. These latter. glittering wit
the briiiiancy that fever insures, be
. longed to Albert Gobelin. Exupere wa
: deeply affected.
/ Monsieur" he said, handing hir
! the Chancellor's letter, "this documen
fell into my hands through an error il
, the address. ! think it must be intende
: for you"
The invalid unfolded the paper, an
, the child brought the lamp.
D at is from my friend Des Villiers, n
+ doubt" he said. "Read it, little one.
The child read in hor silvery tone
{ and schoolgirl manner. The father
eyes filled with tears, the wife embrace
her husband with nervous energy an
/ sobbed convulsively on his shoulder
: The good Exupere wept, too, and neve
: before had tears brought him such
, sweet feeling of relief All! how ia
Q away seemed his mania for decoratio
: then.
al thank you, monsieur" Albert sal
e to him, land ask your pardon for nj
t having more command of myself! AL
: that cross has cost me dearly! To gal
it / ruined my health by exploring tt
S Sahara, where l sought and where l fe
o sure of finding the real route of ii
{ Trans-Sahara road. Unfortunately tn
4 reward will not prevent my wife an
s child from remaining here without Il
= means of support if am taken frol
e them. But again, monsieur. let me as
: your pardon for my want of self-col
Y troll. Thanks, and FAREWELL"
q "No, Monsieur Albert Gobelin, n,
K farewell" said Exupere in decid,
49,. ssT'h;o .o vox,r l,,ol-x- da-ts, Il ~