Connecticut western news., 1891-03-18

low tones ::IIOng themSelVEA without the least valanr escaping from their lips in the icy gloom of the night. NJ. Majesty was uneasy but one thing treasured him. and that was that this great fire which famed so high and so steadily was q most angular fire-a flame devoid of heat which sparkled but did not burn. His fears having been tranquiliZed. the good man descended the steps and en- tered his wareroomS
 These warerooms, which were on the ground floor. must formerly have been magnificent reception salons. Particles of tarnished gold yet glittered at all the angles, Pathological paintings adorned the ceiling. surrounded the mir TOTS and floated over the doors in vague colors, somewhat soiled, like souvenirs of departed years Unfortunately there were neither curtains nor furniture. Nothing but baskets. great boxes filled with siphoEs. with pewter heads. and the dried branches of an old lilac bush which still hung in inky black ness behind the windows. M. Ma, jesty on entering found his ware rooms full of light and company. He bowed politely, but nobody paid the least attention to him. The women, in their satin cloaks, on the arms of their cavaliers. continued their ceremonial affectations. They promenaded, chatted and separated. Truly. all the old mar pulses seemed to be perfectly at home A little figure paused, all in 3 tremble, in front of d painted wall. That's me exactly! Look at my portraitr' and she gazed slnilingly upon Diana on panel. slender and pink. with crescent on her forehead
 "Nesmond. do come here and look at your arms!" And everybody laughed as they saw the arms of the Nesmonds stamped upon some bagging with the name of Majesty underneath.
 "Ah! ha! Majestyl They still have majesties then in France?' And there were endless gayeties. little fife like bursts of laughter, uplifted fingers and affected speeches.
 Suddenly some one cried out: Here's champagne! Here's champagne!''
 "No. it isn'tr'
 "Yes, it is-it's champagne! Come, countess. let's have bumper"
 It was NJ. Majesty's seltzer water they had mistaken for champagne. They found it trife flat, but they drank it all the same, and as these poor ghosts were not strong in the head little by lit tie the weak seltzer water animated them. excited them and put them in a frame of mind for dancing.
 Minuets were organized. Four good violins that Nesmond had brought in his train began one of Rameau's airs. simple and melancholy in it's vivacity. It was a sight to see all these old women turn and salute their partners gravely. keeping time with the music. Their at tire seemed to grow young again, and so did the gold embroidered waistcoats, the brocaded coats and the shoes with diamond buckles. The panels them selves appeared to revive on hearing the ancient melodies. The old mirror. in- closed in the wall for 200 years. recog- nized them also, and scratched as it was and blackened at the corners lighted up softly and sent back to the dancers their images somewhat dimly, as if melted by regret by all these elegancies. M. Majesty felt himself out of place. He got behind box and looked on
 Little by little. however. the day broke. Through the glass doors of the warerooms the good man saw the court yard grow lighter, then the tops of the windows, then all one side of the salon As the brightness increased the figures | faded and were confounded together Soon M. Majesty saw only two violinists lingering in corner and evaporating as | xl- T. xl yard he could still see. but very vaguely, the shape of sedan chair, powdered | head adorned with emeralds, and the last sparks of torch thrown by the servants upon the flagstones, which min gled with the light of the wheel lanterns of truck at that instant coming through the open gate with a tremendous chatter -Alphonse Daudet ill Chicago Mail.