Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1892-08-26


at the heap of fragments, and poking at
them with his cane Cannot it be re-
pairedS"
impossible, monsieur" replied tho
other. "rhe cleverest workman in France
would make nothing of it now"
"Have you triedp" asked the baron.
"Of what use, monsieur? Who would
buy vase dissected like map of France"
"What are you going to do with the
piecesY" inquired M. de Croix -Martel, in
whose fertile brain HAPPY thought" was
gradually terminating.
"What can do but throw them away"
growled the irate tradesman. "They are
fit for nothing else. Even chiffonier
would hardly pick them up"
"Will you sell them to me for five
francs?"
Certainly, monsieur, if you desire it.
But what possible use"-
''Never mind" interrupted the baron,
that's my affair. Now listen-what |
want to do is this You will pack up these
pieces, just as they are, mind, put this
card Of mine with them and send the par
eel this evening from to 9:30 to Mime. la
Comtesse de Franchimont, Ga Rue de Ma.
rignan. II is not TO be taken up stairs,
but left with the concierge Do you un-
derstandH"
Perfectly, NJ lie Baron" answered IT,
owner Of the bric-a-brac shop, glancing at
the card rs he spoke. "All shall be done
exactly as you wish"
II can quite depend upon your"
Quite, NJ. lie Baron. At $50 to the mo-
ment IL shall be delivered"
"Enhnl" said NJ. de Croix- Martel to him
self as he walked briskly homeward. "a
most brilliant inspiration, ma parolel
For five francs shall have the credit of a
present worthy Of a millionaire. The fellow
who brings it will naturally be supposed
TO have let it drop on the way-the Champs
Elysees are always slippery in frosty
weather-and TO have bolted in order TO
avoid unpleasant inquiries. When the
parcel arrives | shall be there AS no one
knows where | bought it | can storm away
at my ease without fear of discovery.
Glorious piece Of luckl I've good mind
to treat myself TO half bottle of beaune
at dinner on the strength of it. And so |
will, parbleu"
And 50 he did.
Principally at five minutes before 0, for
titled by the generous stimulant alluded
to- and in the highest possible spirits, the
baron rung the first floor bell at "a Rue dc
Marignan, and was Immediately ushered
into the drawing room, where three ladies
were assembled. Mime. de Franchimont,
seated by the fire, was occupied with some
intricate marvel of embroidery, while her
daughters We're busily employed in arrang-
ing on table in the center Of the apart
ment a variety of bonbon boxes and other
objects strongly indicative Of New Years
day, which had evidently just arrived.
Look here, NJ. le Baron" said Berthe
as he entered the room; "see what a num-
Der Of presents we have already received
n lapis lazuli paper cutter, and such
beautiful flower stand near the window"
And a delicious filigree cardcase," said
Louise, holding up the object in question
for the inspection Of the visitor.
Charming indeed" responded NJ de
Croix-Martel, looking more admiringly at
the speaker than at the cardcase
"There, that will do, girls" interposed
her mother, after shaking hands with her
guest. Come and sit by the fire, baron,
and Berthe will give you some tea"
81 trust" he replied, that when my
humble Offering arrives you will be--ahem
equally indulgent."
''No follies, / hope, baron" said Nine.
de Franchimont, shaking her head reprov-
ingly.
"Oh, madame, a mere trifle, | assure
you" answered our hero in deprecating
tone, accompanied, however, by a signif-
cant, twirl Of his mustache "But You will
See"
At the moment the door opened and
the maitre d'hotel appeared, bearing a
voluminous parcel, which he solemnly
placed ON a table, with the explanatory
announcement, "Pour Mime. Ia Comtesse,"
and withdrew as noiselessly as he had en-.
tered.
II wonder what IL is" cried Berthe.
"Give me your scissors, Louise"
"Who can It be fromp'
what strange shaped parcelp' re-
marked Nine de Franchimont, rising from
her chair and approaching the table, while
the baron, laying down his cup, was pre-.
pairing himself for an outburst Of indigna-
nation, or, in other words, was getting the
steam up"
'Ah, here is a cardp exclaimed Mile.
Berthe as she hastily tore away the last
obstacle TO the qualification Of her curiosi-
ty. IN. lie Baronl knew IL could be no
one else. Mon Dieul What can this beY"
NJ de Croix-Martel, who had quietly
drawn near the table, gave one look at the
contents Of the packet, stood for a moment
horror struck, and then. unperceived by
the three ladies, slipped out Of the room
and darted down the Rue de Marignan rs
fast as his legs could carry him. He had
seen enough.
Alas for the vanity Of human calcula-
tionsi The dealer Of the Rue de Seine had
exceeded his instructions, and had care
fully enveloped every fragment Of the
shattered vase in n separate piece of paper
-Argosy.
Teaching "A Dog.