Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1886-05-28
omnibus and was in due time set down

omnibus and was in due time set down
at Anteuil. s35sS5
There Exupere entered q cafe and or
dered as'bock. He seemed to be
suffocating like a man stricken with
apoplexy In order to breathe more
freely he unbuttoned his top. coat, and
before him in mirror he saw q man
on whose breast glistened something
like . purple spark. He had surren,
dered himself to the guilty contempla-
ton 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 the gentleman with the decora-
ton" ), 4:9' FL ~ ~ 4 <sg 5
+ A cold Precipitation suddenly broke
out on the forehead Of the unfortu-
nate man, whose senses had moment
before been wrapped in q delicious
revery; he hurriedly rebuttoned his
coat. threw q five franc piece on the
table and rushed from the room with
out Warrington 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
document.
"A Garde Republican on horseback
just left that for monsieur
He read the address, ITO Monsieur
Gobelin, Rue de la condamine, 16O;"
and in ono 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,ya 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. IL
have been discovered, and shall have
to 60 to prison! am disgraced-ruin.
ed! Oh, what q fateP'
Had the retired insurance agent been
he possessor of more hair his bris-
tling locks and the terror-stricken as
pect of his countenance would have
exactly reproduced the head of cores.
tes pursued by the Furies." After
some time he nerved himself to the
opening of the fatal missive. 1t read
thus:
MY DEAR FRIEND: Your very proper am.
bition has been satisfied; you have at last
received q well-merited reward! Ihave been
ordered by the secretary geaeral to make
out your nomination for the legion oil
honor: 1t is with the grea test satisfaction
that communicate this good news to an
old and dear comrade in arms. Yours, -.
OF course, according to all precedent
the signature of the official was entire
ly illegible.
Exupere rubbed his forehead and ask
ed himself whether he was really in
sane. He earthly reread the letter,
tried to make out the name of tho
writer, and swallowed at one gulp half
the contents of carafe of cold water.
By this operation he recovered some
thing OF his usual equanimity and clear
headedness. The Communication, he
argued with himself, is either stupid
joke or is really intended for some
namesake of mine who lives in this
same street. will inquire into the
matter.
He started out at once, and his quest
was soon ended. At No. $50 he found
the mystic sign FURNISHED Rooms"
els there any one named Gobelin
here?" he asked at the office and in re-
ceiving reply in the affirmative he
climbed up to the fourth story. At the
end OF a dingy corridor he found d
card nailed to door and bearing the
legend, "Albert Gobelin."
"Ah!" said Exupere to himself, my
worthy cousin from Africa
He knocked. Ayoung woman, with
regular features, mild-eyed and sad.
looking opened the door. A small oil
lamp on table lit up the features Of
a girl of seven or eight who was indus.
triously working at her exercises. This
pretty, blonde child, suspending her
occupation for moment, cast anx-
lous inquiring glances at the stranger.
In the shadow that covered the end
OF the room another pair Of eyes were
also watching Exupere. These latter,
s|ittering with the brilliancy that fever
insures, belonged to Albert Gobelin.
Exupere was deeply affected.
Monsieur" he said, handing him
the Chancellor's letter, this docu.
ment fell into my hands through an
error in the address. II think it
must be intended for you"
The invalid unfolded the paper, and
the child brought the lamp.
ut is from my friend Des Villers, no
doubt" he said. "Read it, little
one"
The child read in her silvery tones
and schoolgirl manner. Her fathers
eyes filled with tears, the wife embrac-
ed her husband with nervous energy
and sobbed convulsively on his shout
der. The good Exupere wept, too, and
never in his life before had tears
brought him such a sweet feeling of re-
lief. All! how far away seemed his
mania for decoration then! r.
II thank you, monsieur" Albert
said to him, 1'and ask your pardon
for not having more command OF my.
SELF. All! that Cross has cost me
dearly to gain it ruined my health
BY exploring tho Sahara, where
sought and whore I felt sure of finding
the real route Of the Trans-Sahara
road. Unfortunately this reward will
not prevent my wife and child from
rem aiming here without the means OF
support il lam taken from them. But
again, monsieur, let me ask your par.
don Tor my want of self-control.
Thanks, and FAREWELL"
s'No, Monsieur Albert Gobelin, not
farewell" said Exupere in decided
tones. This is your lucky-day! It
= IL. 4