The Monmouth inquirer., 1896-02-27
ONLY A WORD.


was returning home at in the afternoon
Ia club carriage. Hc had with him in
aumsrable pasteboard boxes tied up with
twine and many fragile packages pur-
chased at all tho large stores. He WAS
thinking what be would write on the card
to be attached to each present. Let me
see, for the duchess the jardiniere de SAKE
full of flowers, with discreet phrase
with bis most respectful simpath-sim-
paties'-- Dear me, how is sympathies
spelledR | came near being bachelor once,
but that was SO long ago!" At this mo
ment the carriage passed Rue Richelieu.
1Ah, but ana stupid" thought he,
athere is the National library. There
must be dictionary there. and turning
to the coachman he said, "Driver, to the
National library" Tho coachnlan looked
at De La Blague in wide eyed astonish-
ment, but seeing him serious, stopped in
front Of the library.
Guy walked through the yard into the
anteroom, where, behind a glass door
could be seen, as In an immense room at
college, innumerable readers. "Ah, . said
he to himself, there is what want" As
he entered hastily voice coming from a
yestry hidden in corner of the anteroom
cried severely, Monsieur, eh, monsieur
your canef' "Ah, ha,' thought Guy.
somewhat stupefied. "they have doorkeep-
ers, " and turning he said; But am 60
ing out immediately. 1 wish only to see a
word in the dictionary"
ono difference, replied the austere
doorkeeper, sit is the rule" /"
"Oh, very well, returned Guy, giving
him his cane. "Above all, don't lose it. AT
the Nouveautes there is doorkeeper who
has already lost II umbrellas for me-"
'sThat will teach you" said the door
keeper, with unrelaxed severity, mot to
go to subsidized theaters."
ssThere, :" soliloquized Guy, ~ have ruff
fled him somewhat, but quick for that die
tionary." And he hurriedly entered the
Students hall. A guard stopped him with,
Your card, monsieur?'
tMy card2 Pardon, have not come to
visit the director. .
"Yonr entrance card, I" said the guard
sternly.
"How?' calculated Guy. Must one
have an entrance card? Listen, / wish but
to look at one word in the dictionary"
SIT is the rule Go down the hall at the
right. Follow the left gallery to the COR
ridor at the bottom. The sixteenth door
in the corridor Is where you will find the
administration.
Guy walked along the hall muttering.
1.-THE administration-th administration
Il don't know what that is-if had
known there was so much red tape about
seeing word in the Electromagnetic, here.
Administration. He entered timidly
and said to the secretary-quite young
man who was writing at a desk covered
with papers Pardon, monsieur; it ap-
n To rn
the library.
Eyes, monsieur" replied the secretary,
as be looked up from his work.
sCan 1 obtain one?"
"rhere is nothing more easy, monsieur.
Make demand in writing. Attach to it
your university degree, a certificate Of vac
cination and an account Of the object Of
your research. We will make inquiries
and in Is days.
Fifteen days?' exclaimed Guy in ter
ror. ''But, monsieur, / wish simply to
see a word in the dictionary"
s'Ah, if it is just for the moment, / will
give you a card, but it is good for today
only
Guy, covered with confusion, bowed
himself out of the room, while a smile
played about the corners of the seoretary's s
mouth.
Returning to the students hall he
proudly exhibited his entrance card. The
guard took it and gave him in exchange a
white sheet of paper. Thinking it pro-
spectus he thrust it into his pocket, say
ing: 81 wish to see word. Will you
give me the dictionary"
s'Ask for it there in front Of you at the
end of the hail.
cat the end of the halls' repeated Guy.
Every WE'LL
He walked across the immense hall on
tiptoe, that he might not disturb the silent
readers But his boots creaked, and here
and there men, grave and homely, glared
at him furiously through their eyeglasses.
Reaching the end Of the hall, his face scar
let with embarrassment, he found himself
in front of railing, behind which an old
man in a skullcap was joking with q
reader of 80 years, who was playing the
boy pardon, monsieur" ventured Guy,
81 would like to see word in the die
tionary."
The old man, stopping his raillery, said,
with an air of impatience, "Where is your
blanks"
"My''-- commenced Guy.
Your blank, " interrupted the old man
irritably.
sWhat is that9" asked Guy.
"The guard gave you paper on enter
ingP"
s'Ah, yesi" said Guy, fumbling in his
pockets. II am-the prospeotus-if
have not thrown 1t away-no, this is itf'
"yery we'll, said the old man, brushing
Guy aside with wave of his hand. "Fill
it out.
Guy, with docility, took pen, and, fol
lowing the directions on the paper, wrote
his name and address while the old man
ohatted with the old habitue, giving quo
tations in Hindoo. Guy again interrupted
their conversation with, There, now, l
would like TO see word in the
And your numberp' suddenly said the
old man as he glanced at the blank.
How. my numberf" replied Guy in as
tonishment. Have not given it? 1t is
52'
We will put it down, then. 2 said the
old man as he wrote '52.