The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1894-08-06

in the corner OF the bay directly fac
ing the entrance to the cabinet SO
that it would be the first thing visible
the moment the door opened
Back of the sofa lie draped another
blue curtain to give it the prepared
effect of a theatrical "accessory,"
stood a table in the corner. with "a
bracket above it, and on the bracket
again a pot OF towering palm.
Capital Capitalw be murmured
admiringly. and turned his attention
next to his arrangements in the corri-
dor, simply the challoing of the exact
spot on the floor where the camerl
tripod must stand, proper range on
focus by seating the waiter on the
divan and finishing the business Dr
giving him a louis to hold his tongue
and to keep the camera safe iu "a
closet for him until tomorrow.
Next morning, at che ma-
ment of taking the boat thas
was to carry thom to Das-
Meudon, De Rosnv stopped suddenly.
struck his hand to his brow AMI said
to his wife and Victor:
Heavens! I have forgotten my ae-
tinometre Go on without me. I-u
run back and get It and rejo'n yoa in
an hour"
waited till the boat baI backed from
the dock and passed from sight un lcr
the bridge; then entered ID ueigA bar-
ing cafe and scrubbed hastily the lo.-
lowing note:
"Actinometre out Of order; mn-t
stop at a shop. Lunch without nae.
VIII reach you by o'clock. The sun
will still be high enough" The mes
senger bearing thds note arrived just
as the hungry turtle doves-for even
turtle doves grow hungry if too long
deprived Of lunch-were growing
thoroughly impatient.
And the two convives fell to feast
ing with hearty good will, merry and
amused as two children on a. lark
But pleased as they were, they wero
still not half SO plea sed as the hus-
band behind the door
At last came the scrape of two
chairs pushed back at the same time,
then steps on the floor, a low, pro-
testing plant from the springs of the
divan, silence. a soft sigh.
Quick as a flash de Rosney stood up
pulled off with one hand the camera
cover, with the 9th n threw back tho
door, shouting his usual aacramsutal
phrase:
BE stilH Don't stir"
It was II o'clock the night of thaa
same day The lamp In the commits
saire's Office was covered with 10 yel-
low paper and with the tell- tale ealn-
era stationed between them. the mua-
istrate and Philippe de 10 my. his
liberty-he thought 50, au least-eon-
quered at last, faced gravely each
other.
Yes, NJ. lie Commissaire said he.
Il INSIST upon developing the slide
here ia YOUR presence in O-der that it's
ACCURACY cannot be questioned; that
no one, when 1 apply for my divorce.
as L certainly shall 10 at once, can
possibly accuse me Of having ro-
touched it, The idea you sst. Is such
a new one, so thoroughly "a dc steele.
perhaps, also, triae American In-
stead Of stupidity riddlins the ulpr .ts
with bullets from revolver. i snap
camera at them and. vo.it, the ta.nr
is done"
And with infinite prectatione he
drew the slide from the FRAN. an 4
plunged il into the reservoir rae
comnissaire bent to look over lids
shoulder; the opal OF the gelatin. was
cOloring. the image appcariug
But suddenly the operator tore the
proof from the BATH held il between
him and the lump. ga1ed blaurly "a
second AMI a straugiel cry escaped
his throat. Had they NOV. /, had the
camera not caught them, had the
actinometre really refused To sv0ri1g
Oh, no; worse than that Tho
picture was perfect; the window. tho
bracket, the towering palm. tine big
blue curtain SO carefully arrange as
a background Ior the scene. only
the curtain. solid blue wail, svith-
T out a wrinkle, hung now ia front oe
the divan Ii Victor was kissing
again, his, De Rosngs wife no ons
; was the wiser for ? one coul sse 40.