The National tribune., 1891-11-19

THE Fresh AIR CArMED HER NERVES.
along the rue Yieux Columber, he would have
witnessed an unaccountable spectacle Evony-
me Martelot, the wise. economical EvOnyme,
SUNK furtively up the stairs Of pawnshop,
aud came out quarter Of an hour afterward
with a very red face.
Atthe hour indicated for the meetinghe found
Nine Noirtin the next day, and escorted her TO
the place Of sale. There were few serious GUS
toners around. Certain male aud female buy
ers of bric-a- brac the latter with Eat redingOtes
and tumbled skirts, and evidently Israelitish,
composed the most of those present. Behind
the desk of the auctiOneer and has clerk the
movables were confusedly piled, among them
the clock mounted on its enamcled aud Curl
ously-caryed case.
Eyonyme felt the hand OF his companion
tremble on his arm, and he silently Rugged 10
against his breast as if 10 exhOrt 90 courage.
The sale began with lot of faences, more or
less ancient; spurious Henry H. trunk, and
then the auctioneer pointed TO the clock and
said cheerfully:
A clocl; Of Louis XY In old walnut and
! rosewood, with chased and enameled copper
diali an excellent piece excellCntly preserved,
gentlemen, ms you can Judge"
Two workmon placed the clocl, upright upon
a stand, and the moment il was plumb il be-
! gan TO strike The sound, grave, measured and
musical, yibEated through the arches Of the
room. On hearing that familiar sound, which
/ had rung through all her childish, youthful,
and many Of her later years, Mime. Noirtin
] could not quite restrain herself Her breast
4 hcaved, her lips trcmblcd, and she turned her
/ head that she might not DO seen 10 weep. Poor
/ Evonyme Rugged her hand more tenderly.
You understand that sound gentlemen"
/ exclaimed the auctiOueer. What a strike-a
! tone Of gold. The case is charming, made Of
heart of solid walnut IL is a beautiful piece.
| Well, we have an offer Of 80 francs"
Ninety!" cried dealer IN curiOsities.
"A hundred.n "A hundred aud ten!p
"A hundred and ten All. We have hun
dred and twenty" said the auclioneer, upon
getting nod nom the side Of Nine. NOiTtin.
"A hundred and thirty" bid in a grating
voice a dealer IN toilet articles.
"A hundred and forty, bid another.
"a hundred and fifty" said the auctionecr
I again prompted by nod. "Will no one give
m0reg hundred aud fifty frauCsi" and he
raised his hammer. "Will you not regret 2
Sold ~ and the hammer fell.
- Let Us q" sobbed Nine Noirtin, ut is fin
ished"
Martclot turned bis head brisily toward the
auctioucer, aud there seemed 10 be some under
standing between them. They had already re-
moved the clock. lie then took the widow out
Of the room aud slowly they descended the
stairs q the hotel.
When they were in the street Nine Noirtin
could silently weep at her ease, and tears pre-
vented her saying a word Silently and safely
LyOuyme conducted her toward the rue Laiay-
cite, but be heightened the road as If for pleas
ure and went TO the rue Haussman, the rue
Fouchet, the rue RDyaie.
In all her sorrow tho widow left him 10 con-
duct her. She did not notice the singular route
they took until they came 20 tho ConcoTde
Bridge, whence EvOnyme directed the walk by
the quay d'Orsay toward the csplanade Of tho
lnvalidcs.
" But, dear Monsieur" said the widow at
last, where are you taking mc2 We turn our
backs 10 the rue de BAG, and she looked at
him in surprise
You are IN need Of the air. objected he
sWectly, and a promenade will do you good.
We will return by the rue dc Scvres."
They slowly continued their walk the length
o. the alleys, which the plane trees aud elms
were sirewing with yellow leaves Evonyme
was right-the fresh air had Gained the Wild
0w's nerves. She could talk calmly, and her
sorrow was changed 70 a peusiYc and cOmmu-
NEGATIVE melancholy.
The twilight fell, and the gas lamps were al
ready illuminated when they arrived before
the house ia the rue Saint Placde. Eyonyme
insisted IN himself finding the key ia the con-
ciorge aud accompanying Nine. Noirtin to the
fifth floor.
WHAT a strange thing Is habit" said the
widow, tn q voice where lurked a last tear
while she stopped 10 breathe at the last step Of
the fourth door. u still seem TO hear the tic
tao Of my dear clock. Aud yet il IS well ended. ("
" IL Is doubtless the wooden cuckoo Of some
neishbor,' muttercd E7onyme, in a distracted
tone
They entered tie diuing-room on the Grtb
floor, and when the door was closed the widow.
IA the obscuriiy, suddenly seized Martolots
arm.
Listen" stammcred she. as II that am
turning mad | surely hear the clock ."
=" ii is singular!" responded Marielot, hypo-
critically, lighting match.
Aud once the candle being lighted, oh. sur.
prise! The old clock was there in its ususd
place, ticking away between the cupboard aud
the earthcu stove!
In faith, IL is truc!n said Eyonyme. blush
ing aud putting the caHdlcsliCk on the Table
/ " 10 is really tfuc-see IT,"
Mime. hp.Ttln, amazed looked aitentively M
I the clock, and then at Ev0uyme, who lost c0uu
tcuauee. luyoiuutariiy her eyes fell upon the
black vest OF the clerk. and she missed th,
shine Of tho old gold chain, with is massive
/ Links, which joined the middle button-hsle
f with the watch. She comprehcudcl il all then.
\ and tears came TO her eyes.
/ All, Monsieur Evonyme" she exclaimed.
4 throwing her arms around his neck, q" il is YOU
/ -y0u-you are good "
No, no" murmurcd he, pressing her 10 his
heart, " love you, that is all IL Is long that
/ have wanted to tell you 50, and the clock
\ ia hue. you understand have taken the on
/ portunity by the hair ---"
Al that moment the clock began 10 strike.
/ aud IT. slow sound gravcly accompanied the
demand in marriage timidly worried by
/ EyOnyme Martclot to the Widow Noirtin.
/
A Substitute Deserier,