Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1894-12-03

lain goblet 1 had given to Louise.
Yes, the very same it was The ex-
quisite piece of Sevres that had such
deep significance for me and with
which SO many tender memories and
associations were linked.
AT first l was inclined to doubt
my eyes, bat on looking closer it was
NO longer possible, for 1 knew every
detail of it by heart, and recognized
them all beyond the possibility of be-
ing mistaken.
There was the wreath of flowers
so finely and delicntely worked in
with threads of gold and silver, form
lug crown work in which alternated
harmoniously a superb rose cluster,
with leaves and buds and bunch OF
dainty little flowers, red and blue !
l could not mistake it. There, too,
was the artistic mounting that knew
SO well, with the three bronze sup
ports representing the heads of ami
mails peering forth out of dense
foliage and chiseled by the hand of o
master.
MY surprise speedily gave way to
indignation. as you may we'll under
stand. This treasure of my heart In
shop! This gem, linked with SO
many family traditions and repre-
senting the faithfulness of my first
love, exposed to the public eye of tho
chance and ordinary buyer
'In spite of her solemn oath she
had sold the goblet -and forgotten
me, who gave it to her. Oh woman,
woman, woman, all and always the
same, you are the personification OF
Inconsistency and the lie.
Naturally, you will understand, 1
had only one-thought in my mind
to buy the goblet back again. asked
the price.
Ah! Monsieur answered the
clerk. 'the precious objects in that
case are in the special care of Nine.
Brunard, the proprietress, and she
alone attends to any business con-
nected with them. Nine. Brunand
has just gone ont, and 1 can say
nothing about them. Perhaps Made
moiselle has some instructions.
No. answered the young girl
thus addressed, putting down her en-
broidery and raising her eyes to me.
Mother takes charge of all in the
case, Monsieur, and l have not even
the key. My mother will return at
6 o'clock and Monsieur will, perhaps,
look in again to might.
'I said that would do SO and left
the shop.
''Eh bien! My dear Octave" said,
interrupting my friend in his tale,
"we will both go there together, for 1
do not mean to leave your side until
this matter is cleared up"
Cleared up!' he exclaimed i'm
p patiently, "there's no clearing up
about it. The solution is evident and
obvious l am forgotten and my
token has been thrown away and
sold"
Poor Octavel His heart was full of
bitterness. Apparently disappointed
and deceived in his first love, he was
ready to curse the whole sex and to
class them, one and all, as false, faith
less and cruel.
At 6 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 bad to wait long time,
nearly an hour. Evidently the inter
view was not hurrying on with winged
feet.
AT length my friend came, his face
radiant.
"Well," 1 cried. "have you got
your goblet?"
Yes, no; that is to say, / have it
and 1 haven't it! All! my friend, 1
hardly know what am saying, 1 am
SO upset, SO happy All! do you know
that women are angels Don't you
understand me?"
81 must confess that-er-"
"Well, I'll tell you all about it.
The moment l entered the shop the
little girl with the embroidery met me
and said her mother had Just come in.
81 followed her to the further end
of the store, where, in the semi dark
ness, saw n woman coming to meet
me.
Madam, I said, there is in your
showcase an article that / feel disposed
to purchase
"'Yes, Monsieur, know, she an
swered quickly. You refer to the old
porcelain goblet. I regret it exceed
ingly, monsieur, but it is not for sale.
1t is only here to be kept for the one
person who has the right to reclaim it
and to whom it belongs
"'And how do you know, madam,
that l am not the person?
''At this moment the clerk lit the
gas, and we found ourselves suddenly
face to face in the strong light.
"'Louise T.
"'Octave
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
Batignolles to live in Paris. A short
while after there was financial catas.
trophy, which made great stir and
ruined many people, among them
Nine. Audry. The old woman shortly
afterward died of grief and disappeint-
ment.