The Somerset reporter., 1896-07-23

Brldoux read it, mused and said
1t Is very short. You say that those
Characters are from the hands of the En-
press Marie Louise Her autographs are
very rare. y
1T Is authentic. The empress adj
dressed II to the great Napoleon the day
after the battle of Lutzen. "
But the emperor lived at the Tuile-
ries then -
Certainly, sir, and that observation
proves your intimate knowledge of the
history of the time. But, if you will re-
member, during the absence of the Lit
tie Corporal. as he whirled from battle.
field 10 battlefield, the empress was in
the habit of retiring TO the Louvre"
BridouX was evidently flattered at his
historical knowledge being praised. but
rubbing his nose retectivly he said
How did the letter fall into your
hands?a
aOh, in the most natural manner in
the world. l got the letter from my
father, who got it from my grandfather
My grandfather, a soldier of the empire
and fanatic admirer Of Napoleon,
picked up this letter one day when it
had fallen from the pocket of the great
man and preserved it as Il precious relic.
Sir nothing but the most urgent need
would force me TO sell it. But | must
have loo francs. 1t is for me question
of life and death. Nevertheless | beg
you to believe l am patriotic, for if |
~ 1 lie ,ol
and because, if you purchase it, this
precious document will remain in my
country. | could have had ten times the
price ! asked you, Just now an English
man tried To buy it on any terms. He
followed ne, even DIGGING my steps to
the door of this house
But Bridoux evidently did not appear
in hurry to bind the bargain.
"Iwould willingly buy it, but wish
to consult an expert first. "
Il regret, sir, replied Armand,
that l cannot wait " He turned cold
inside as he said to himself, This
affair is going to fall through if Jules
does not hurry up.
At this moment the doorbell rang.
Bridoux went to open it. jules entered.
He was unrecognizable. His hat was ON
the back of his head his coat was but
toned to the chin, and he had on pair
of long red whiskcrs not unlike those
which adorn the English tourists who
travel around with those queer person
ally conducted" parties.
AT the sight of this curious parsonage
the autograph collector stared in stupe-
faction.
Pardon me, " said the false English
man. 4 wish to speak to the gentleman
who Just came into your house. "
Bridoux was about to reply when
Armand interrupted
How" said he you here again,
MAN."
yes. will give you 200 francs for
your letter. 3"
"But told you l would not sell it. "
Il will give you 800 francs. y
81 tell you, sir, that l am already
making bargain with this gentleman
Il will give you 900 francs.
Il beg you, sir, to leave the room.
Every well, said the false English
man, 4 will wait for you outside the
door but ! must have that autograph, "
and he left.
You see, said Armand to Bridoux,
"the price that EngEshman attaches TO
this precious document. Don't force me
to let it pass into his hands when | ask
you only 100 francs.
The autograph collector was at last
convinced. He took out of his secretaire
a bank note for 100 francs and gave it
to Armand, who thanked him and with
drew
Not long after that the two young
men made a raise and the first thing
they did was to put bank note of 100
francs into an envelope with this in
dorsement, PROSTITUTION and thanks, >"
and addressed it to BridouX
But BridouX never knew what it
meant He simply covered the 100
francs into his treasury, and for him the
note of the little saleswoman at the
Louvre lace counter is still an authentic
autograph Of the Empress Marie Louise.
Adapted For the Argonaut From the
Jro,,aI,