Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1894-11-30

the precious objects In that cnse are In
the special care of Nine. Brunard, the
proprietrcss, and she alone attends to any
business connected with them. Nine.
Brunard has just gone out, and l can say
nothing about them. Perhaps mademoi
sCllc has some Instructions
NO, answered the young girl thus
addressed, putting down her embroidery
and raising her eyes TO me. Mother takes
charge of all ir the case, monsieur, and
have not even the key. My mother will
return at 6 O'Clock, and monsieur will
perhaps look in again tonight
Il said that l would do so and left the
shop"
Ell bicn, my dear Octave" said l, in
terruptng my friend in his tale, 1--WE will
both go there together, for l do not mean
to leave your side until this matter is
cleared up"
Cleared upV' he exclaimed inpatient
ly. "Thegc's no clearing up about it. The
solution is evident and obvious. l am for
gotten, and my token has been thrown
away and sold"
Poor Octave. His heart was full of bit
terncss. Apparently disappointed and de-
ceivod in his first love, he was ready to
curse the whole sex and to class them one
and all as false, faithcss and cruel.
AT o'clock we returned to the shop.
Octave entered alone and l walked up
and down outside waiting for him and
looking in at the shop windows. l had
to wait a long time, nearly an hour. EVi
donty the interview was not hurrying
on with winged feet.
AT length my friend came, his face
radiant.
"Woll" 1 cried, "have you got your
goblet"
Yes, no-that is to say, have it, and
l haven't it. All, my friend, / hardly
know what am saying l am so upset, so
happy! Al, do you know that women are
angels? Don't you understand me?"
4 must confess that-or''-
"Wcll, I'll tell you all aboUt it. The
moment entered the shop the little girl
with the embroidery met me and said her
mother had just come in.
Il followed her to Tire farther end of the
store, where in the sonidarkncss l saw u
woman coming to meet me.
Madam, l said, there is in your
showcase an article that l feel disposed to
purchase
Yes, monsieur. I KNOW she answer
ed quickly. \ on refer to the old porcelain
goblet l regret it exceedingly, monsieur,
bat it is not Tor sale. 1t is only here to be
kept fer the ono person who has the right
to reclaim it and to whom it belongs
And how DO you know, madam, that
1 am not the personY
AT this moment the clerk lit the gas,
and we found ourselves suddenly face to
face in the strong light.
" LOuiscl
Octavcr
"This unexpected meeting naturally
caused long explanations, These Louise
gave me frankly and freely. When their
house was pulled down, Nine. Audry and
her daughter left Batignollcs to live in
Paris. a short while after there was "A
financial catastrophe which made a great
stir and ruined many people, among them
Nine Audry The old woman shortly
altcrward died Of grief and disappoint
mCnt.
"Without news of me and in a condition
Of hopclcssne-s and despair, Louise found
herself at the end of her strength and re-
sources when an old friend of her moth
er's, Il NJ. Brunand, who kept curiosity
shop, turned up to help her. He was a
widuwer, over 80 years Of age, and with IA
young daughter on his hands he found
himself rapidly going into decline.
"AnXiOus to find some one who would
be a friend to the girl after his death and
knowing the kind heart of Louise, he
offered his name, his house and his home.
THAT is how Louise became Nine.
Brunand and was called mother without
being "a mother, how the goblet always re-
manned in her possession, and how | have
the pleasure now to announce our APP
preaching marriage, at which trust you
VIII 90 me ,hC honor to be the best man. -