The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1895-04-05

Monsieur Emile Bertin was furious.
He had received letter from his man
OF affairs that morning with the un-
pleasant Information that he was no
longer inheritor of the fortune he had
been brought up to expect. His rich
and eccentric old uncle. to whose death
he had so long looked forward, had,
after all, left son. the rightful heir
to all his wealth, and the nephew
found himself encumbered with debts
he now saw no possibility or paying, be-
sides, being an idle fellow, with no
power or inclination to gain liveli.
hood by honest means. so that his
rage and disappointment knew no
bounds. Add to this the fact OF his
being in love with girl he had no idea
of relinquishing. and the state of his
mind. bordering on distraction, which
caused this young man to pace up and
down his chamber may be imagined.
"Well. Babinette must keep me-" he
said at last, with a cynical laugh. 1--WE
will 20 away to some great city, where
her beauty and her talents are sure to
get an engagement. She will set up "a
a star and they will give her any
amount OF money II she can only once
Aecome the vogue. Meanwhile, that win
give me time to look around. Well,
why not? She loves me 10 distraction
the dear little thing. II would be cruel
to leave her to the mercies OF that
odlous clown. On. II could only come
across that precious fellow who hls
stepped into my shoes. | would find
some means OF killing him" cried
Monsieur Emile, aloud, shaking h.s
fst at the empty air. while cruel eE-
preston OF hatred famed m his h1nd-
some features. displaying the hidden
possibilities OF nature ill-dlscipllned
and extremely selfish.
He was interrupted by the entrance
OF valet. at whom he scowled lercely.
"A-a person wishes to see you. mon
sieur. think It is Plcotin, the clown"
added the man, with a broad grin full
OF pleasurable recollections.
what the devii-'cried his master In
a fury, when Picotin himself appeared
upon the threshold.
For a moment the young man OF aris-
tocratic connections recoiled. drawing
himself up with an air OF arrogant dis
pleasure. but something in the steady
gaze fixed upon him made him feel un-
easy, and he stammered a few words
Of intended condescension.
This is indeed delightful Artistes
OF any kind always bring their own
welcome"
The man who comes 10 call another
10 account is not always % welcome"
answered the clown. drily.
II do not understand" said Emile
with a shrug OF the shoulders. as he
proceeded to light a cigarette. "but OF
course, Monsieur Picotin Is always en-
titled 10 his Joke"
(Which is OF a different kind from
those INDUCED In by young gentlemen
who are capable of throwing fireworks
AT a woman. and nearly causing her to
break her neck"
Course him.' thought Emile. "he
knows me again." Aloud he said. In a
tone Of some humiliation. "oh. as 70
that, q mere students freak, I was
drunk at the time-besides. you had
your revenge"
mo" said Picotin. choking II merely
chastised the offender might have
soid some one who II really was"
Ills eve was full OF menace as II rest.
ed on the other. who from deep Grim
son had suddenly gone pale.
what Bablnettel She could never
knowl II was carnival time. We were
disguised. had on a black wig and
my face was stained walnut-color.
ala not mean 10 hurt her. but ! was
drunk"
"And you have since then had the
audaclty to make love 10 herr cried
Picotln. all the scorn and bathing he
felt for this man apparent in his quick
gesture.
Excuse me. do not quarrel with
persons like YOU. nor do 7 consider my
self accOunia hle 20 them for my amuse-
ments." said Emile. with supreme In.
science. "a he took the cigarette from
between hts lips and watched the
smoke-ring they emitted curl above his
head.
Quick as thought the clown stepped
forward. piucked the tiny roll Of tobac-
co from between the young mans Cell
cate fingers. and threw u IN his face.
where the lighted end raised blister
on his cheek