Arizona weekly enterprise., 1889-03-02
MILE. ALBERTINE.

MILE. ALBERTINE.
 1t was 8:30 o'clock, and in the hall be- | low stairs the domestics were finishing 1 their repast, brought from the masters table, for the service in the house of NJ. and Mime. d'Aloys was very easy and agreeable.
 Young, handsome, almost too rich, married for two years and more in love the one with the other than on the first day, these benevolent ones had the bad taste to wish to diffuse their happiness around them. But, stranger stil1, from housekeeper to scullery boy, the ser | service as passing in Paradise-with 0 few more clothes, of course, and a ser | pent the less.
 They talked and laughed gayly, stop ! ping only long enough to discuss a cer- tain sweetmeat frozen at the cafe, and 1 which all united in declaring exquisite But you are not eating, Auguste; are you not hungry?" demanded the maitre d'hotel, noticing that one of the valets de chambre, handsome fellow, tall, well made, had left his friandise in- tact upon his plate.
 Undoubtedly" responded the ques- | tlOneQ, ana naV0'-
 A mocking cough and voice inter rupted him, the voice of 0 woman:
 "Dined badly" said she; land shall 1 slightly malicious smile, turning to ad- dress her neighbor.
 Certainly, Rose, why is it?" Mile. Albertine is detained by madame to coif her for the concert. She | Is not down, you see-voila tout!'
 "Ah, love's no crime. AuguGte has taste" replied the maitre dhotel. "We were in love with the little one ourselves, only"-
 ''Well, only"- repeated Auguste.
 "She puts us in our place again with @ little slap-not too hard, you know, but still sl0p and 6 flash of her big eyes that made us comprehend we were los ing timer
 "Then-she is honest"
 Honest, or ambitious, who knows? At any rate she finds us too low for her. But Auguste Is such handsome fellow he may be luckier than tho others. I And 1l7s saucy ciiambermaid shut up her lips with an air that told you plainly enough everything she thought about it at least.
 "A compliment to the others" cried the coachman, joining the discussion, but no matter, Rose, Augustes good soul if he Is new conner; we'll pardon you for his sake. Besides, If he does please BIlle. Albertine she'll not come to him with empty hands. It's two years now since Mime. la Comtesse brought her from her home in Switzerland. She thinks the world of her and will be gen. erous at the last, as she has been with all of us."
 True, true!" chorused the table, though Auguste shook his head with a diSdainful movement as if to say: Bah! who cares for a dot?' and which clearly showed how seriously he was touched.
 In the boudoir abovo stairs, marvel of luxury and taste, Mile. Albertine put the last hand to coiffure that would have rendered even an ugly woman charming, and the very pretty Comtesse d'Aloys, with her blonde hair which she did not tint, her complexion without a blemish, her eyes without penciling, her figure supple and sustained, but not i'm prisoned, ill light corset scarcely drawn, her lace robe sowed with jewels above gleaming satin, was one of the loveliest women in Paris. So Paris said, and Paris should know, and also that she jus tified-no, a hundred times justifed-the love that the husband evinced for his amiable wife.
 Think of it for yourselves-a woman beautiful without being foolish, spirit uelle without being wicked. Paris was right.
 Leave it alone, my good Albertine, '' said she presently; ''the puff will do az 1t is: you will be late for your dinner"
 Madame need not worry-I have fin ished," was the calm response.
 She who occupied the heart of the handsome Auguste was very pleasing parsonage. Twenty-Five years of age, perhaps, and perhaps triRe too slender in her dark woolen dress, but with feat ures clear cut and well shaped, beautiful teeth, smooth skin and great black eyes, at times lively, at times soft, at times firm and resolute. The hair chestnut and half concealed under the little na- tional coif or square that Albertine had never been willing to leave off, parted in the middle and combed back in black shining bands. A skill of hands truly marvellous, an extraordinary dexterity about all her duties, step so discreet they seldom ever heard Q sound in her apartment, a conduct so regular that in her two years service she has never been known to take one hours outing-such were the qualities that had already at tached the comtesse to this incomparablC handmaiden.
 Good, very good indeedl Tell Jear to harness up immediately. My bonnet and gloves I'll put on for myself; go tC your dinner at once, my good girl" anC the mistress, throwing of the light dress ing wrap that protected her toilet stepped forth like gorgeous butterfly from its chrysalis.
 ''As you please, madame" and Al bertine left the room. She had scarcely gone when M. d'AloJs put his heat through the half opened door.
 q can enter?" he demanded.
 "Of course, Henri; come in"
 He obeyed and pushing to the door be hind him stepped to the side of his wife . Have you found it!" he questioned half tragically.
 'tNo, it's gone"
 "And what do you think of 1t, m, dearestp said he.
 "I am disturbed, very much disturbe' by it, indeed. Not so much for the valu of the trinket, great as it is, but tha cross of opals you gave me on my birth day-you remember it?'
 And also the thanks I received"
 "Always lover," she answered smi ing, "but it chagrins me, Henri, to hay :. it go like this from my own house taken by whomF
 "Ah, I know not, and it is the secon time in three months; your diamon bracelet first, and now the opalsi'
 And all uy servants herewith m