Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1889-01-23
MILE. ALBERTINE.

thOiS5 iOl tliC SCI NlSC LII Tic uOuSS Vi VI.
and Nine. dAloys was very easy and agree
able.
Young, handsome, almost too rich, mar
ried for two years and more in love the
enc 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 still, from house
keeper to scullery boy, the servants were
disposed to look upon their service as pass
ing in Paradise-with a few more clothes,
of course, and serpent the less.
They talked and laughed gayly, stop
ping only long enough to discuss certain
sweetmeat frozen at the cafe, and 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 Wallets de
chambre, a handsome fellow, tall, we'll
made, had left his friandise intact upon
his plate.
Undoubtedly" responded the ques-
toned, land have"
A hooking cough and voice inter
rupted him, the voice of woman:
Dined badly" said she; sand l shall
tell you why?' she continued, with a
slightly malicious smile, turning to ad-
dress her neighbor.
Certainly, Rose, why is it ?'
"Mlle. Albertine is detained by madame
| to Golf her for the concert. She is not
down, you see-voila toutw
"Ah, loves no crime. Auguste has
TASTE" replied the maitre d'hotel. ave
were in love with the little one ourselves
only" -
"Well, only" - repeated Auguste.
"She puts us in our place again with a
little slap-not too hard, you know, bui
still a slap and a fash of her big eyes that
made us comprehend we were losing
| time?"
"Then-she is honest"
Honest, or ambitious, who knows? Al
any rate she finds us too low for her. But
Auguste is such a handsome fellow he
may be luckier than the Others" And
the saucy chambermaid 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 nc
matter Rose, Auguste's good, soul if he is
a new conner; we'll pardon you for his
sake. Besides, if he does please Mile.
Albertine she'll not come to him with
empty hands. It's two years now since
Nine. la Comtesse brought her from her
home in Switzerland She thinks the
world of her and will be generous at the
| last, as she has been with all of u.s."
"True, true" chorused the table, though
Auguste shook his head with a disdainful
movement as If to say: s'Bah who cares
for dot?" and which clearly showed how
seriously he was touched.
| In the boudoir above stairs, marvel o.
luxury and taste, Mile Albertine put the
last hand to couture that would have
rendered even an ugly woman charming
and the very pretty Comtesse d Alloys, with
her blonde hair which she did not tint. hei
complexion without blemish, her eyes
without penciling, her figure supple and
sustained, but not imprisoned, in a light
corset scarcely drawn, her lace robe sowed
with jewels above cleaning satin, was one
of the lovliest women in Paris. So Pari:
said, and Paris should know, and also that
she justified-no, a hundred times justified
the love that the husband evinced fol
his amiable wife.
| Think Of it for yourselves woman
beautiful without being foolish, spirituelIt
without being wicked. Paris was right.
| Leave it alone, my good Albertine u
said she presently; ''the puff will do as it
Isl you will be late for your dinner"
Madame need not worry have fin
ished," was the calm response
She who occupied the heart Of the hand
some Auguste was very pleasing person
age. Twenty-Five years of age, perhaps,
and perhaps trife too slender in her dari
wooden dress, but with features clear cu
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 national Golf or square that AL
berthe had never been willing to leave off
parted in the middle and combed back il
black shining bands a skill of hands
truly marvellous, an extraordinary dex
terity about all her duties, step so dis
Greet they seldom ever heard a sound ir
her apartment, conduct so regular thai
In her two years service she has never
been known to take one hours outing
such were the qualities that had already
attached the Comtesse to this incompara.
bic handmaiden.
GOOD, very good indeed Tell Jean t.
harness up Immediately. Ny bonnet anc
gloves I'll put on for myself; 60 to YOU
dinner at once, my good girl" and the
mistress, throwing off the light dressing
wrap that protected her toilet, stepped
forth like a gorgeous butterfly from it.
chrysalis.
"As you please, madame" and Albertine
left the room. She had scarcely gone
when NJ. d'Aloys put his head through
the half-opened door.
81 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.
slave you found it?' he questioned
half tragically.
"No it is gone"
"And what do you think of it, nv dear.
est?" said he
II am disturbed, very much disturbed
by il, indeed. Not so much for the value
Of the trinket, great as it is, but that cross
OF opa's you gave me on my birthday
you remember it?
| ''And also the thanks | received"
I always lover" she answered, smiling
I but it chagrins me, Henri, to have it 60
like this from my house taken by
swhomg
| "Ah, | know not, and it is the second
sine in three months; your diamond brace.
let first, and now the opaisl''
.sAnd all my servants were with nv
mother, who changed but seldom, heaven
knows
| ~The new valet de chambre"-
| 1Was not in our service when the brace.
let disappeared. | was at Etretat with
Albertine and Depuis, who has since died.
"Esse, and this time it was a two DAYS
absezee at the house of your brother-in-
law"
with Auguste and Aibertise"--
"Aasuste and the inevitable Albertine
yes
"Henrim ,eried the comtesse ia re-
proachfel tene, 'syou have never been able
to abide that poor girl"
Too strong 5 word, Suzanne: had i.
! been as yea say, you'd have sacrificed your
cameriste sahesEstingly"
"Yes, at onee; all the same, Henri. wei
do not like her. She is, however, perfec-
Iaion."
"a is the perfaeGea. perhaps, do not
~