The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1892-08-22

N can quite depend upon your"
"Quite, M. le Baron. At $50 to tho mo
mept it shall be delivered"
"Enilni" said NJ. de Croix- Maxtel to him
self as he walked brislkly homeward. "a
most brilliant inspiration, ma parole
For Eve francs shall have the credit OF g
present worthy Of millionaire. The fellow
who brings 1t will naturally be supposed
to have let It drop on the way-the Champ,
Elysees are always slippery In frosty
weather-and to have bolted In order Il
avoid unpleasant inquiries. When tn,
parcel arrives shall be there. As No ont
knows where bought it can storm ava,
at my ease without fear of discovery
Glorious piece Of lucki I've a good mind
to treat myself to half bottle of beaunt
at dinner on the strength of 1t. And SO
will, parbleuP'
And SO he did.
.
Principally at FIVE minutes before 0, for
titled by the generous stimulant alluded
| TO, and in the highest possible spirits, til,
baron rung the first floor bell at g Rue d.
Marignan, and was Immediately usheret
into the drawing room, where three ludie,
| were assembled. Mime. de Franchimont
seated by the fire, was occupied with som,
| intricate marvel Of embroidery. while he
daughters were busiiy employed In arrang
ing on a table in the center of tho apart
ment variety Of bonbon boxes and othe
objects strongly indicative OF New Year
day, which had evidently Just arrived.
look here, M. le Baron" said Berth,
MS he entered the room; ''see what a mum
Der of presents we have already received
lapis lazuh paper cutter, and such
beautiful flower stand near the window"
And delicious filigree cardcase," sal,
Louise, holding up the object in question
for the inspection Of the visitor.
Charming indeed" responded M. d
Croix Martel, looking more admiringly a
the speaker than at the cardcase.
"Therc, that will do, girls" interposet
her mother, after shaking hands with he
guest. "Come and sit by the fire, baron
and Berthe will give you some tea"
II trust" he replied, that when m,
humble Offering arrives you will be-ahen
equally indulgent."
"No follies, hope, baron" said Nine
de Franehimont, shaking her head reprov
ingly.
"Oh, madame, mere trifle, | assur
| you," answered our hero in deprecatinJ
tone, accompanied, however. by signifl
antytwirl of his mustache "But you vii
see."
At the moment the door opened an,
the maitrc d'hotel appeared. bearing
voluminous parcel, which he solemn
placed on o table. with the explanator
announcement, Pour Mime. la Comtessc,
and withdrew as noisclessly as he had en-
tered. ...5-.. 49,. ...-
~ wonder what it Is" cried Berthe.
Give me your scissors, Louise"
"WLo eau il lie FROM" ....
"What strange shaped parcelp' re
marked Mime. lie Fraucllimont. rising iron
her chsir and approaching the table, Will
the baron, laying down his cup. was pre-
pairing himself for an outburst OF indigna
nation, or, in other words, was getting th
steam up"
"Ah, here is Il carip' exclaimed Mile
Berthe rs she hastily tore away the las
obstacle to the qualification OF her curiosi
ty. an. lie Baron! knew II could be II
one else. Mon Di.u! What can this her
NJ. de -Martel, WHO had quietl
drawn rear the table, gave oug look at tn
contents Of the packet, stood for nomen
horror STRUCK, and then. uuperceived b
the three Ladies', Slipped out OF the roor
ind darted down the Rue dc MarignHn II
fast as his legs could carry him. He hu
seen enough.
Alas for the vanity of human calculT
tiuns! The dealer OF the Rue de Seine ha
exceeded his instructions, and had carr
fully developed every fragment of Gu
shattered vase in a separate piece Of paper
-Argosy.