Catoctin clarion., 1895-05-02
THURMONT, Frederick County, Maryland Thursday May Z, 1885,

me, and promised me that whatever
might happen she would not suffer it to
leave her possessian.
Those were her last words.
-Four years passed, as you know, be-
fore returned to France. During that
time l was in the center of Africa, con-
ductlcting explorations, and practically
exiled from the world, receiving no news
and able 70 send none.
AS soon as arrived in Paris hur-
ried to see Louise, to whom had te'e-
eraphed from Marseills. Alas what a
cruel deception was in store for me.
>The house she used to llYe in had
been torn down and removed by the
construction of new street. No one
knew where Nine. Audry and her
daughter had gone to live, and all my
efforts to trace them were Intellectual and
vain.
Several months have gone by since
then without any news to change the
unhappy state of affairs.
This morning while looking through
the shops to find birthday present for
my sister l went by chance into the
shop where you have just met me.
u examined first the numberless trim.
kets displayed in the show cases; the
ancient jewelry, the enamels, ivory.
china sets, miniatures and masterpieces
of the arts of the gold ard silver
smiths.
While searching thus for something
that would make present a little out
of the ordinary run I walked up and
down the shop in front Of show cases
and let no corner escape my attention.
In this way l found myself in front Of
tall CAGE With closed glass windows,
beside which a young girl was sitting
with some embroidery work in her hands
And in this glass case. jnst about the
height of nay eyes, what should | see
standing on a shelf behiud the shining
glaps pain but the old porcelain goblet
had given Louise. The exquisite piece
of Seyles chat had such Significance for
me and with which so many tender
memories and associations were linked
AT first | Was inclined to doubt my
eyes, but on looking closer 1t was no
longer possible, for ! knew every detail
of it by heart and recognized them all
beyond the possibility of heing mistaken
! My surprise speedily gave way to in.
! dignation as you may we'll understand.
This treasure of my heart in a shop
This gen. linked with SO many family
traditions and representing the faith
fulness of my fist love, exposed TO the
public eye cf the chance and ordinary
buyer.
Nm spite of her solemn oath she had
sold the goblet and forgotten me who
gaye it to her, Oh, woman, woman,
woman! all and always the same: you
are the personifcation Of inconsistency
and the lie.
|
Naturally | had only one thought in
my mind-to buy the goblet back again
i asked the price.
Yah, Monsieur, the precious objects
in that case are in the special care Of
Nine. Brunard, the proprietress, and
she alone tends to any business connec-
ted with them. Nine. Brunard has
Just gone out, and can say nothing
about them. Perhaps Mademoisellt has
some Instructions
NNo,' answered the young girl thus
addressed, mother takes charge Of all
in the case, Monsieur. and | haye not
even the key. My mother will return
at 6 clock and Monsieur will l,perhaps.
look in again tonight
u said that would do so and lett the
shop.
>Eh bien! Nv dear Octave l said in
terrupting my friend, we will both go
there together, for | do not mean to
leave your side until this matter is all
cleared up.
CLEARED upv he exclaimed inpatient
ly, there's no clearing upabout it. The
solution is evident and obvious. l am
forgotten and my token has been thrown
| away and Sold
At 6o'clock we returned to the shop.
Octave entered alone. I had to wait a
long time, nearly an hour, Evidently
the interview was not hurrying on with
winged feet,
At length my friend came, his face
radiant.
We'll, have you got your gobletT I
cried
Yes, no-that is to say | have it and
I haven't it. All, nv friend, | hardly
know what / am saying am SO upset.
so happy. All, do you know that worn-
! 4