The true Democrat. [volume] (Bayou Sara [La.]) 1892-1928, 1896-11-28

verDlajIy SLOW OF comprehension. ooo
it is surely hypocritical on your part
to pretend lack of knowledge OF our
masters frailties. You must be we'll
aware that in Paris he SO fa- forgot his
alleged love for my mistress, as to pay
court to Mile. Fanny Pate en-haut at
the Fo]ies Bcrgeres. Nav, did he not
present that creature with q gorgeous
diamond tiara in full view OF the
audience. My mistress brother-!n
law was in the audience and saw him
do it.
The portmantesu uttered q sharp
exclamation. "And such" no said,
"was the reason why Miss Durham re-
jected my master when he came to
London, refusing all explanation, and
why she subsequently cut him dead
at Waterloo station?"
"Such was the reason,' tart]y an
swered the Saratoga, "and q very
sound reason, too, so far as l can
see."
The portmanteau burst into fit Of
laughter, much to his companions dis
gust. Long and vigorously he laughed,
ceasing at last only from sheer e1-
haustion.
"And now" said the trunk, 'fper-
haps, monsieur, you would be good
enough to explain the cause of your
your cachinnatory hysteria."
"What clever trunk you must be-,
mademoiselle, to use such long words
Anyone can see that you came from
Boston. The cause of my merriment,
Ell? Well, I WAS laughing over the
very ridiculous mistake made by your
mistress and her donkey of q brother.
in.law."
mistake, monsieur:"
"Certainly. The superb tiara which
my master gave to poor little Fanny
Pate -haut did not belong to him at
all. He was merely an instrument in
the presentation. The titra was gift
from the rajah Of Bundleapore, who
had seen Fanny the previous summer
in Paris. He sent the diamonds to her
from India in the care of his friend,
Captain Assheton. 1 ought to know,
because they were slowed away inside
me all the way from Madras. The
whole story was in the Partisan papers
at the time; and if your MISTRESS
brother in law had taken the trouble
| to read them"
''Ho does not speak or read French,
poor fellow"
sab that explains it. And so, be-
cause OF his ignorance two young
hearts are to be severed and two happy
lives blighted in their prime"
lit IS very sad!" sighed the Sara.
toga, alphabetically.
"Sad? By Jove, Mademoiselle, it
is criminal. But let us consider. Is
there no way by which things may be
set right? Here we are about TO enter
the United States together. I am
labeled for Newport.
"And so am I. Dear NE, Monsieur
Portmanteau, I never wished that I
had tho power Of human speech SO
fervently us do now! I should lose
no time in apprising my dear mistress
OF that hideous mistake about Fanny
Patte-en-haut."
"Human speech is out of the ques-
tion," said the portmanteau. "We
must hit upon some other scheme. Alb,
I have it!''
"Monsieur, you are genius
'You Aatter me, mademoiselle. And
yet the plan is not unclever. This
morning as Banks was packing mo he
wrapped some novels in an cid news.
paper and placed them right under M
lid, on top Of everything else. + can
feel them there now. What. think
you. was the newspaper usea?"
"Indeed, I cannot guess, said tho
Saratoga.
ut WAS copy of the Gaulois con.
tanning full account of the presenta
ton Of Fanny Patte.en-haut on behalf
of the rajah of Bundleapore. I am
sure, because Banks read it over with
a reminiscent chuckle before he
wrapped it round the novels"
''But how about your plan?'
els it possible that you have not
surmised my plano. In q few minutes
the customs house people will come
along. I shall simply slip when they
open me, and cause those novels and
the Gaulois in which they are wrapped
to fall in your direction. You can
roll over slightly and possess yourself
Of tie newspaper. When your mis-.
tress or that pesky French maid OF
hers comes along take care that she
notices the Gaulois, and leave the =est
to fortune"
"a good plan, monsieur; but too
much is left to fortune, I fear, and
here come the customs house officials,
with Mr.. Banks to open you. Now for
It'll"
The portmanteau strained himself
with excitement, until his straps
creaked again.