The Magnolia gazette. [volume] (Magnolia, Miss.) 1872-current, 1886-06-18

tully ONcf tH0 Sdrluenb oIudHcnbtu
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 a cafe and or
dered a .sbock." 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 man on whose
breast glistened something like purple
spark. He had surrendered himself to
the guilty contemplation of this marvel
when he was abruptly aroused by the
voice of the landlady:
s'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
a fve-franc piece on the table and
rushed from the room without waiting
for his change. The shock had been
terrible one.
That evening on returning home,
Exupere was accosted by his concierge,
who handed him an official-looking doc
ument
ga Garde Republican on horseback
just left that for monsieur"
He read the address, ITO Monsieur
NaIa1s,, IL Il, 1eA.b
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
go to prison! am disgraced-ruined!
Oh, what a 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 he neryed himself to the task oi
| opening the fatal missive. 1t read thus
MY DEAR FRIEND: Your very proper am.
bition has been satisfied; you have at last
| received a well -merited reward / have
been ordered by the Secretary General to
make out your nomination for the Legion Of
| Honor. 1t is with the greatest salts faction
that communicate this good news to ar
old and dear comrade in arms.
Yours, -.
Of course, 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 tt
make out the name of the writer, ant
swallowed at one gulp half the contents
of carafe of cold water. By this OPP
Grafton he recovered something of hi
usual equanimity and clear-headedness
sThe communication" he argued will
himself, sis 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 wa
J soon ended. At No. $50 he found tn
mystic sign: Furnished rooms"
sis there any one named Gobelil
hereP" he asked at the Office, and on re
ceiving reply in the affirmative h
climbed up to the fourth story. At tn
end of dingy corridor he found car
nailed to door and bearing the legend
J "Albert Gobelin."
.'Ah!'' said Exupere to himself, 'sm
. worthy cousin from Africa
! He knocked. A young woman, wit
: regular features, mild-eyed and sad look
Ing, opened the door. A small oil lam
: on table lit up the features of girl {
seven or eight who was industriousl
> working at her exercises. This pretty
! blonde child, suspending her occupato
for moment, cast anxious, inquirin
glances at the stranger. In the shado'
l that covered the end of the room ar
\ other pair of eyes were also watchin
Exupere These latter, glittering wit
1 the brilliancy that fever insures, b,
: ionged to Albert Gobelin. Exupere ws
!. deeply affected.
n Monsieur" he said, handing hi
Y the ChanceIlor's letter, 'sthis documel
, fell into my hands through an error
b the address. think it must be intende
: for you.'
t The invalid unfolded the paper, an
o the child brought the lamp.
. ''It is from my friend Des Villiers, Il
= Doubt he said. ssRead it, little one.
4 The child read in hor silvery tom
It and schoolgirl manner. The father
+ eyes filled with tears, the wife embrace
!, her husband with nervous energy ar
q sobbed corvulsively on his shoulde
Tho nroad Lvt1r,ar.a