The Arizona champion., 1891-03-07
MILE. ALBERTTNE.

and Mme. d'Aloys was very easy and agreeable.
 Young, handsome, almost too rich married for two years and more in lovt the one 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 housekeeper to scUllery boy, the ser. wants were disposed to look upon theil service as passing in Paradise-with a few more clothes, of course, and ser pent the less.
 They talked and laughed gayly, stop ping only long enough to discuss a cer- tain 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 valets de chambre, a handsome fellow, tall, well made, had left his friandise in- tact upon his plate.
 Undoubtedly" responded the ques- toned, "and have"-
 A mocking cough and a voice inter rupted him, the voice of woman:
 "Dined badly" said she; land shall I tell you why?' she continued, with a slightly malicious smile, turning to ad- dress her neighbor.
 Certainly, Rose, why is it?"
 Mile. Albertine is detained by madame to coif her for the concert. She is not down, you see-voila tout!"
 'Ah, loves no crime. Auguste has taste, replied the maitre d'hotel. "We were in love with the little one ourselves, onIy"-
 Well, only"- repeated Auguste.
 "She puts us in our place again with little slap-not too hard, you know, but still slap and flash of her big eyes that made us comprehend we were los ing time?"
 ''Then-she is honest"
 Honest, or ambitious, who knows? At any rate she finds us too low for her. But Auguste is such 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 no 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 AAAhl "AlA4 N44APIN AAethNos 1I . wv Cd1S now since Mime. la Comtesse brought her from her home in Switzerland. She thinks the world of her and will be gen. erous at the last, as she has been with all of us"
 True, true" chorused the table, though Auguste shook his head with a disdainful movement as if to say: "Bah! who cares for dot?" and which clearly showed how seriously he was touched.
 In the boudoir above stairs, marvel of luxury and taste, Mile. Albertine put the last hand to coiffure that would have rendered even an ugly woman charming, and the very pretty Comtesse dAloys, with her blonde hair which she did not tint, her complexion without a blemish, her eyes without penciling, her figure supple and sustained, but not i'm prisoned, ill light corset scarcely drawn, her lace robe sowed with jewels above gleaming satin, was one of the loveliest women in Paris. So Paris said, and Paris should know, and also that she jus tified-no, hundred times justifed-the love that the husband evinced for his amiable wife.
 Think of 1t for yourselves-a woman beautiful without being foolish, spirit uelle without being wicked. Paris was right.
 Leave it alone, my good Albertine, '" said she presently; ''the puff will do as it is; you will be late for your dinner"
 Madame need not worry-I have fin ished," was the calm response.
 She who occupied the heart of the handsome Auguste was a very pleasing parsonage. Twenty-Five years of age, perhaps, and perhaps a trifle too slender in her dark woolen dress, but with feat ures clear cut 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 na- tional coif or square that Albertine had never been willing to leave off, parted in the middle and combed back in black shining bands. A skill of hands truly marvellous, an extraordinary dexterity about all her duties, step so discreet they seldom ever heard sound in her apartment, a conduct so regular that in her two years service she has never been known to take one hours outing-such were the qualities that had already at- tached the comtesse to this incomparable handmaiden.
 Good, very good indeed! Tell Jean to harness up immediately. My bonnet 1 and gloves I'll put on for myself; go to | your dinner at once, my good girl" and | the mistress, throwing off the light dress | ing wrap that protected her toilet, | stepped forth like a gorgeous butterfly | from its chrysais.
 'As you please, madame" and AL | bertine left the room. She had scarcely | gone when NJ. d'Aloys put his head through the half opened door.
 "I 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. |
 Have you found it:' he questioned | half tragically.
 "No, it's gone"
 "And what do you think of 1t, my dearestY said he.
 ''I am disturbed, very much disturbed | by it, indeed. Not so much for the value | of the trinket, great as it is, but that | cross of opals you gave me on my birth day-you remember it?"
 And also the thanks received"
 Always a lover," she answered smil- Ing, "but 1t chagrins me, Henri, to have It go like this from my own house taken by whom?"
 'Ah, 1 know not, and it is the second time in three months; your diamond bracelet first, and now the opalsl"
 And all my servants were with my mother who changed but seldom, heaven knows"
 1.-The new valet de chambre"- Was not in our service when the