The record-union., 1891-01-10


I'm what respect?" asked Mons. Trim
gle. impatiently.
Red is such delicate color, you know;
every drop of punch spilled upon it leaves
spot" said Chabre, deprecatingly.
But have a perfect horror of spots,"
replied the bachelor, confidently.
ssThat is quite evident from the appear
ance of your clothes, Monsieur Tringle;
that is why do not need to caution you
about the refreshnlents.'
After these polite injunctions, Mons.
Tringle went into the wig-maker's bed
room and slipped on the breaches,
which Immediately put him into lively
mood, for the long tail-which was con-
structed upon very pliable piece of brass
sometimes caressed his back.
Thus costumed he proceeded to indulge
in all the antics of playful kitten. No
ono would have recognized in the author
of these ridiculous gyrations the staid old
bachelor, who, indeed, no longer recog-
niZed himself, an unnatural sportiveness
and agility having taken possession of
giving q final touch to the dishevelled
cat's-fur, handed q mirror to the now
giddy bachelor, who, as the heat of his
groteSque head-gear penetrated his scalp,
began to simper and nod his head to OBJ
serve the effect of his perruque. His adj
rriration for his really diabolical appear
ance knewrno bounds when Chabre had
completed his makeup by outlining the
eyebrows in the shape Of circumfiex
accent, and glued few wisps Of broom
corn to his upper lip in lieu of a NOUS
tache. After a glance at the tout enSenl-
Die, Tringle concluded that he was un-
questionably most fascinating devil and
would certainly make deep impression
upon the heart of the coveted heiress.
n fnr. into ;<dI
Chabre, bucl>ling the costume SO that
Tringle felt light as feather, and in a
transport of enthusiasm attempted to
execute a paS>seuI before the glass.
.'You are simply rayishing, Monsieur
Tringlein again cried the obsequious
hairdresser.
.'Ohi Monsieur Chabre, YOU flatter
me.''
mo, indeed! Monsieur Tringle. Light
ness, ,suppIeness and elegance are too
rarely seen in the gentlemen of to-day
for me not to applaud a spectacle Of true
grace and virile beauty
At this decided compliment Tringle
leaped as high as the counter for joy.
"Oh, Monsieur Tringle, little pru-
dence, I pray you! 1t is such close
fitting garment l advise you not to take
too long step; but by dancing cautiously
think you will have nothing to fear"
Once more Tringle attempted q few
capers, interspersed with one or two we'll
executed pirouettes.
"Who could imagine that man habit
ually SO reserved In his manner could be
SO liyelyn' exclaimed Chabre with we'll
feigned admiration.
But Tringle was no longer listening.
The desire OF making his appearance In
the Brou drawing-room IN such seductive
attire had caused him to depart uncere-
moniously.
"Your cloak, Monsieur Tringle! Don't
forget your cloak!' called the wigmaker
after the fleeing form. 1T is cold, warn
you!"
But the enthusiastic masker was al
ready bounding through the streets, re-
hearsing in the open air a daRse diabO-
tiQue that he had just invented.
CHAPTER III.
The north wind whistled, the weather
vanes squeaked on the roofs, and sheet
iron heart which served as a sign before a
tobacco shop was groaning at Icing thus
beaten by the winds. Who would have
thought it! Mons. Tringle climbed upon
a stone, took of the iron heart and throw
it over the walls OF the Convent of the
Danes dc la Providence. He had entered
into the spirit of his role.
a tom-cat was coming out leisurely
from cellar window In response TO what
may nave Deeu au inElt2tlOH from
neighboring roof. Tringle placed himself
in his way and stood imnovable before
him as if trying to magnetic those big
green eyes; but the cat managed to escape,
and Triangle started in pursuit, uttering
such hideous cries of s-s-s-s-scat! as to Sc
riously disturb the repose Of the quiet
loving inhabitants Of that section of the
town. AS he passed before the shop of a
worthy cobbler he saw q wooden static of
Saint Crispin, which the owner had pos
sessed from time irpmemorial, and which
served the double purpose of advertising
his. handiwork and honoring the saint
under whose patronage he had placed his
shop.
Tringle, after vain attempt to remove
the Father OF ShoemakerS froItIfitssniche,
broke off its head and threw it after the
fleeing cat.
Curious effects OF dressing as a devil!
The cutler and scissors grinder of the
town kept for sale optical instruments,
and an immense pair of spectacles Of col
ored glass served as sign for his trade.
Tringle took down the glasses and
smashed them against wall. In his ex-
element he respected nothing-not even
the golden sign Of the Notary, which he
threw into a cellar, after trampling under
foot the emblemS of the law.
n lighted lantern before the Office door
OF the Justice of the Peace testified to the
ever-vigilant eye of the police. Tringle
took possession of the lantern and sent it
to keep company with the Notary's
scutcheon. The most brazen criminal
would have hesitated about carrying off
that emblem of the peace in the town OF
llettes, but Mons. Tringle committed this
new misdeed without compunction. The
quarter was plunged in the deepest OBJ
scurity, ard the old fellow took adyant-
age OF the darkness to ring the bells and
KnOsiy nf a hn Wi al,
houses in town. and seemed to consider
this puerile act of lawlessness bold and
daring expression of his defiance of law
and order.
Such excesses might possibly have
been pardonable in drunken man. but
indeed Tringle seemed intoxicated with
his novel appearance. BY the aid of the
rope which he took from the pulley of
the town pump he broke a long, wooden
arquebuse which stood before the door of
the principal gunsmith of the town, and
which was constant source of admira-
ton to the country folk. He pulled the
gilded cockade from the big red cooked
hat which he could not detach from the
front OF the hatter's store; and in fact the
damage which he did in going to the
BrOu mansion was incredible. Shutters.
vats, blinds, pals, carriages in their sheds,
ali We're overturned in this wild career,
and it w&s in a state Of feverish excite
uent that he arrived at his destination.
having awakened in the commission of
these depredations. agility which had
lain dormant for many year.
CHAPTER ".
Full of enthusiasm, he sped through
the hall which led to the first story of the
building occupied by the Brous, trying
as he went TO deci2e in what manner he
lI AL l. n, L