, 1889-03-08

49, DNADAO 10 liz A4AA Ill hhJ
gesture; he liked him not, that was clear.
Parbleul one is free to like or dislike, as
it suits him
"Pierret was q drone," said Jocard.
"No, decidedly he was unjust; and,
besides, what mattered it when tho mar
vel of marvels was In question, a thing
that had no equal, In the village at all
events; neither at the Mares, the tax
collectors nor at the chateau ITSELF
Why not look at it2 Looking costs moth
ing"
Indeed, and not even the chateau had
anything like It'll" Jocard listened.
"And what an effect 1t would ave in
the dining room of Jocard's house facing
the great polished sideboardi"
After all he did need a clock-just MS
well buy something good, something ele-
giant, rs to buy trash. But, then, a hun
ecus-pshawl he was not the man to
mind o hundred ecus, more or less.
Jocard, while talking, was drinking
a good deal and getting excited, saying
first yes and then no, and swearing
Justify; now willing to stroll up to the
shop and view the Comtoise and then
Withdrawing.
''Bah!" cried a companion presently,
losing patience, lone would think you
were afraid of going to Pierret's shopr"
"Afraid7 Zoundsl it's little | care for
Pierret Come at once; I'm ready"
The little clockmaker was sitting at
his table, his lens in his eye, busy with q
watch that he delicately touched with
hiJ pointed steel. he did not look up
nor into the street-no, indeed, not he;
all the same he saw distinctly the APP
preaching group and saw It with salts
faction. for something like a emile fitted
across his lips. He hoped to make the
sale, and 1t is always agreeable to mako
money, as you know, Jocard entered.
"Is that III" said he disdainfully. True,
he was not saying what he thought, for
he was really delighted, though he must
never show it-he would be cheated.
Pierrct had risen politely, but Jocard's
back vas towards him-through haugh-
tiness, of course.
Briefly he. Jocard, would give $50
francs for it Immediately, cash down,
and yet upon n condition, namely, that
'the Comtoisse should be placed that
very night upon his dining room wall
he knew the house-the big house oppo-
sise the church."
Every one knows the Jocard house."
replied Pierrct; within an hour the
Comtoisse shall be there"
And tonight, friends" continued Jo-
card, not including Pierret, of course,
well have n bowl of white wine, first
quality, and Wen drink to tho Comtoise."
"All right-what hour?' mime"
Jocard threw n hundred franc note on
the counte to bind the bargain and left
tho shop, followed by his friends.
Again alone Pierret struck a match
and carefully burned the note to ashes.
This strange act completed, he brought
from the rear of the shop n small box on
which something was written in English.
and going TO the Comtoise he opened the
ase-to fix the pendulum, doubtless.
1t is in it's place, well set in its polished
box. The pendulum swings with n slow,
soft tick-tack. Truly it has n splendid
effect between the shining platters and
the pink tinted engravings.
Round tho table, covered with long
necked bottles, all sit drinking, laughing
and singing. Boveley, the big servant
girl, is convulsed with glee. All, but the
house won't be SO gay when the new
madame ~arrivesl No matter; IN end
must come some time; besides, when a
man has means, as monsieur has, he may
well afford the luxury of having a wife
all to HIMSELF
Eleven o'clockl The Comtoise strike
it. Everybody is silent. Jocard happy.
What a voicel Like n SOMEONE could
listen to it all night long. Faith, they
shall wait until midnight, when the
clock strikes its full. No moro wine;
punch shall take its place, and we'n
light 1t and put out the lamps. Such
fun as they'll have when 12 o'clock
chimes with the cooling of the Comtoisei
They are half drunk already-heat is
suffocating-open the window for air!
Besides, it's well that every ono should
know that Mt Jocard's house they never
worryi
Attention, friendsi Five minutes TO
1871 Ono-two-iight tho punchl The
flame springs from the ~saladier; the
spoon plays In the flood that flashes and
leaps in yellow and blue tongues; the
sugar bubbles. Put out the lamp, boys,
put out the lampi The congested faces
take on n purple hue.
Zoundsl but tbs funl Histl Silence!
the Comtoise soundsi
Sounds, did l say? that beautiful Com
toisel No, it speaks-its calls aloud
upon the name of its purchaser.
Jacques Jocardi Jacques Jocardl i
sayr'
"Heyl Who calls him? Whose that
oldish, cracked voice? Whence does 1t
come? The cellar? The voice answe
with another wall.
Jacques Jocardl Jacques Jocardl
Confess, confess, l sayr"
Confess? Bahi What nonsense or
what farce is this7 And who is this
talking, Jocard? Why do you pale so,
MANI And what is the voice saying
nowT'
Confess, JocardI Thou art a muir
derer, Jocardi Confess, confess, / sayl'
"a murderer? No, it's falsel Who
says it? He lies-I swear iti'
"a murderer, Jocard, u murderer who
killed the old Pierret-a murderer, and
you know itI'
Then there were cries, hiccoughs and
prnanc 90 tnrrAr Io,-l -. 4 II