Wichita eagle., 1888-06-03
CHAPTER. III.

W Hcu dNChG iicAU llOlUlIo III was 10 WOIl-
der what could be the hour OF day. / felt as
if had slept sufficiently, and yet the light in
the room seemed strangely dim. 1t might
have been early morning.
I looked across the room to the corner in
which stood Raouls truckle-bed, opposite my
own. Raoul still slept, and soundly, to judge
FROM his deep, regular breathing. l knew
that he 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,
'Is that You, Pierre!"
at is l, with letter for Monsieur, and one
also for NJ Girard"
l was about to rise to admit him, when I
noticed that tho key was not in the lock of
the door. Evidently Raoul had not secured
the door behind him last night, as it was his
habit TO do.
Inter, then; the key is on your side, is it
not:'
s'Ah it is trueln Next minute he had en-
tered the ROOM and coming to my bedside,
handed me the two letters.
What O'Clock is it, PierreT'
''1t is i,alf-past eleven, Monsieur
'how! Half-past elevenf Why, it is a
vecita5le twilight III this roomr'
''If Monsieur looks at the window he will
see the reason OF that"
looked ct the window in the ceiling of our
attic room, and saw that it was covered with
snow.
What frightfui weather.! You viii 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. N. Giard still sleeps"
M GiTard was very late last night" re-
marked Pierre; 'it was after two when | let
him i'm
$50 late as that:" I 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, l
read the letter he had brought me. 1t vas
from my fatl-er, il answer to an appeal for
rloncy-a desperate appeal, and useless, as [
had expected. Unlike myself, my father was
a man of principle; and one of his principles
tho one / found personally most incon-
venient-waf this: Not sou TIL 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
few days then plunged into frightful pow
erty, owing to my parents stern resolve
never to antedate supplies. l had also nu-
merous creditors, and had become proficient
in the art of doubling a cape"-that is, slip
ping round street corner when enc of these
appeared. II was my custom, when tie 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
Raours garnet, amid the din and squalor
of the Rue Dauphine. His cornpanionship
more than made up for the discomfort, the
cold and the occasional pinch of hunger We
were fast friends financed in common and
had 10 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 ofT. l had never
regretted nv improvidence until now. But,
when l 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, l had written that letter TO
my father, scarcely expecting any more fav-
orab!e answer than the exceedingly curt and
decided one received.
Pierre had by this time kindled the fire, end
was arranging before it, on the backs OF the
two chairs our attic boasted. Raouls damp
clothes and mine. All at once he uttered an
exclamation of surprise, which startled me
from my study Of the parental letter. How
look then at the coat of NJ. Girard! The
sleeve is ripped up right to the shoulder"
What the sleeve ripped up, do you sayT
"Torn completely, Monsieur! But what is
to be donel Monsieur has but one coat at
present. and until it is repaired"
He cannot leave this room, of course 1t
is very awkward. How can he have done it"
III Monsieur desires, VIII take the coat
downstairs to Nannette, who viii sew it slffi-
GENTLY we'll. Monsieur doubtless remembers
what the little tailor at the corner says-that
he VIII do absolutely nothing more for Mon
sieur until his bill is paidT'
st is true, Pierre; recoIlect the words of
the little wretch Bv ell means, take the
coat to Madanle, and give her my thanks IL
advance"
Pierre departed, taking the coat with him.
began turning over tbs pages of the Eng.ist
book. reading a passage here and there, and
irving to reckon the time it would take Us te
translate t. Raoul was an excellent Englst
scholar; could resd that language fairly.
We had done this End Of work once OF
twice bafore.
Every now cad tSca looked ecross thu
-oas, IA see rAsSA-r Fs@ni ~aanns .~~kA