Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1893-10-05


other neediul articles. Corona summoned
the mistress of the cabaret and held some
counsel with her concerning the matter.
1.-The lady would not be able to procure
what she required nearer than the next
town." the mistress of the cabaret replied
And the distance OF that town hence?"
Corona asked.
"Five miles," was the woman's answer.
"Could she be provided with any sort OF
conveyance to take her that far?' was the
actresses next question.
The woman shook her head.
Corona unused for some moments, utterly
at q loss what to do. while the mistress of
the cabaret stood by, with her hands fold
ed before her, her eyes inquisitively fixed
upon her guest
Twill you sell ME pair OF your own
capP I will pay. you we'll for taen,,': said
Corona, unguardedly.
The womans eager, restless eyes flashed
for moment. then yelled themselves, and
sought the ground.
"My shoes" repeated she. 1.-THE saints
preserve you, lady, but they would hold a
dozen such eet as yours! And as for my
clothes, they are far too coarse and too
clunsily made. for such a handsome lady
mo matter! However coarse their ma
terial, or however clumsy their make may
be, l shall be most thankful to give you
whatever price you may demand for them"
before she made any reply. Then she said
her husband was absent from home. and
that she did not like to part with any of
her clothes without his knowledge and
consent.
"But, madame, 1 will give you double
their value" rejoined Corona, drawing out
her well-tilled purse as she spoke. Surely
your husband would not be angry with
you for selling your Clothes for more than
their worth
The woman answered sullenly enough;
observing that men We're really such queer
creatures, it was difficult to say what
would please or vex them most.
Corona was surprised at the woman's
reiusa! OF her offer, and she expressed her
self accordingly.
But the mistress of the cabaret only
shrugged her shoulders, and smiled coldlv
when will your husband return"
Corona demanded, in somewhat impa-
tent tone.
perhaps tonight mademoiselle; his re-
turn home is uncertain
What could Corona do but wait; wait for
the coming of the master ofthe cabaret,
who was all this while safely lodged under
his own roof, plotting mischief mischief
to his young and unwary guest?
On the following day, Corona again
bable return of her absent spouse, and
again received the same rejoindcr as before.
Corona. without exactly knowing where
lore, grew uneasy; so uneasy that sleep at
night was totally banished from her pillow,
and she began to tremble at every sound
she heard, to sicken at every passing shadow.
An underlined fear possessed her fear
that waxed stronger and stronger every
instant; and she was half inclined to quit
the cabaret, and seek some other shelter.
Her hOstess's manners were mysterious in
the extreme, and the whole place seemed
full ofstrangencss and terror
ha One o ev ,ead C Corona thinking that
nauseous taste, secretly poured it
out OF her chamber window,
upon the roof of neighbor-
ing clubhouse. Unhappy as she was,
she did not like to become the victim of
brigands into whose power she was now
beginning to think that she had fallen.
When the woman came to carry away
the tray OH which an hour before she had
brought the ladys evening beverage, Coro-
ma was lying on her couch with her arms
flung over her face, apparently fast asleep.
The mistress ofthe cabaret smiled as she
glanced into the empty coilee-cup, which
she supposed had been drained by her un-
suspicious guest. and. pauSing. contem-
plated her intended victim with a satisfied
air.
Corona was breathing regularly, like I'M
to one who was reposing soundly, while
her heart was beating loudly and her whole
frame was quivcring with apprehension.
The woman now approached the couch,
and bent over it for a few seconds, in order
to assure herself, of CoronaS state. as
mademoisclle asleep she asked, in
raised voice.
Corona, trembling and sick with terror
made no reply or movement.
The woman waited tor some time longer
then, taking up her tray, she Withdrew
from the apartment. and closed the door
behind her.
With cheeks white as linen, Corona now
started up, and looked around her. She
had no further doubt on the subject now:
she was amongst set OF brigands, and
about to become their victim.
She listened intently, hoping to hear
voices in the drinlsing-room below; but all
night were fast gathering around, and the
articles OF furniture in the chamber were
gradually becoming less ami less destinct
unto her eyes. Corona was watching these
signs Of coming night with terror inexpres.
sible. Large drops OF moisture stood upon
her brow, and her teeth were firmly set on
her quivering lip. She knew not what to
with the utmost danger to her. There she
sat- with her eyes fastened on the door,
every instant expecting armed ruttians to
burst in upon her.
The cabaret, which was solitary build
ing situated on the outskirts ofa wood. in
lonely road. was just the place where
dreadful deeds darkness might be done,
and hidden from all mortal ken. Corona
was thinking so while she thus sat watching
her bedroom door.
Presently, she sprang up. She was full
of youth full of health, full of strength;
and life, despite the many disappointments
it had brought her. was very.
very precious to her--far lar more precious
than she had ever before deemed it; and
she could not lay it down without strug-
gle to preserve it, She was not contempIat-
ing offering personal resistance to her enc
mics; Tor OF what avail would such resist
ance be. when opposed to mems ruthless
violence? No; Corona was meditating all es-
cape-an escape from the cabaret and all
its increasing terrors. There was no time to
lose; she must act promptly, or remain and
meet the cruel tate which was doubtessly
in store for her. Drawing from her purse
golden coin, which was more than sutfi-
cient for the entertainment she had receiv-
ed, she placed it on the table where it
might be seen, and then proceeded to ex-
anime the position of her chamber window,
opd ito he; 0hf from IN vrnupd Hor ;pract;