Sharp County record., 1890-02-20

that he knew him WELL but the lady was
unknown to him. Another gold piece
was his reward, and before he could
prevent it, even had he so desired, the
two conspirators rushed past the porter
and up the winding stairs leading to the
second floor. Straight down the hall
they went, followed by the porter and
maitre d'hotel. The place was well
known to the commandeur, and he went
straight to number Z, where, II the
truth must be confessed, he had often
supped deur.
The cabinets of Paris restaurant can
always be locked from the inside, so the
commandeur knew it was useless to ask
the maitre d'hotel to open number
T. Acting according to his instincts,
he raped furiously upon the door, a
scurrying sound was heard, as OF some
one hurrying quickly across the room.
Then all was silent. "LeS me in"
shouted the commandeur. Still no
response. Let me in, or | will smash
in the door" the commanders
called FORTH his anger now getting
the better of him. A whispered consul
tation was heard within; then the door
was slowly unlocked and Adrien de
MontbourbOn was disclosed to the gaze
of the excited pair He was evidently
not dining alone, for there were two
chairs side by side, two napkins hur-
riedly thrown aside, two halt-eaten
dishes of ecreriSSes q Ia N0rA'dnde, and
two glasses of champagne, the gas bub-
bling as though in mockery Of the guilty
pair. The dark plush curtains before
the window were closely drawn, and
under their edge the quick eye OF La Coo
nellie discovered woman's dress. Her
triumph was complete. With flushed
cheeks and voice trembling with rage
she poured forth her denunciation OF
| Adrien. Base wretch, to so deceive
my poor daughter" she shouted. ITO
think that you, Adrien, the husband OF
a sweet, unsuspecting woman, should SO
forget your honor as man. L have
caught you, though, and your perhdy
shall be uncovered. l have long sus-
pected you, but have only waited this
opportunity to tear the lying mask from
your face. You villain, | have caught
you, and you shall answer for this in
suit to my daughter and my family. The
commanders here is ready to defend the
honor of his dead comrades name. You
have not to deal with women, but with
an officer of France"
At these words the commandeur
swelled to his full height and majestic
ally strobe toward Adrien, as though to
| emphasize La Colonelle'S words.
A moment of strained silence ensued,
and it seemed as though the preliminary
steps OF an affair of honor must then
take place, had not smothered laugh
from behind the plush curtains attracted
La Colonello's attention. Il forgot your
partner in iniquity," she said; then, with
tragic move, she threw aside the plush
curtains.
A woman was standing there trem-
bling with laughter. The two conspira-
tors started as though met by ghastly
vision. La Colonelle was the first to,
recover her self-possession. "Nhst!
Marie, is that you?" she gasped.
Eyes, mamma. Who did you suppose
would be dining with Adrien but |, his
wife?"
This coup turned the victory into route
La Colonelle's forces were completely
annihilated, and even her heavy dra-
coon, the commandeur, threw up his
hands in complete surrender. He in
wardly cursed the civilian who had
shown himself so clever strategist
and although pressed with an invitation
to dine, he hurriedly beat a retreat, say
ing that duty required him to return
Immediately to Rambouillet. Nine. La
Colonelle was conquered. She meekly
took her seat at table, and although she
! did not eat much, it was not bad sign,
| for during the remaining years of their
married life the young couple were mas
| ters of their own household. Herbert
| Field in America