Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1897-06-02

near the curb behind line of carriages.
"This rain will not last long he said
to himself. "Tn all probability the last
guest to arrive will be the last to go, l
shall wait in her coupe and rest
Taking advantage of the absence of
the coachman, who had sought shelter
in "a neighboring doorway, he entered
the coupe. 1t was bijou little convey
ance upholstered in blue silk and ex-
haling an aroma of youth and elegance.
The marquis settled back in the corner,
which was still warm, and awaited him
self of wrap that had been left behind,
and in that blissful state of comfort he
soon fell asleep. How long he slum-
bered I cannot say, but he suddenly
awoke as the coupe drew up in Nine. la
Marechale's courtyard
The door was thrown open, and a
young woman of extraordinary beauty
approached. When she saw that the
coupe was not empty, she suppressed an
exclamation, and, hastily divesting her.
self of her wrap, threw it in upon the
| astonished occupant.
+" Are you mad to throw off your cloak
here in the COURT" exclaimed the young
man who had escorted her to the car
riage. "The air is freezing"
IT am suffocating," she replied
And, stepping hastily into the coupe,
she closed the door with bang.
If you care to drop i'll at mothers,
will go with you
No, no. I have changed my mind
l am tired. Good night. | am going di-
rectly home.
The coupe rolled rapidly away. The
marquis did not stir. Not word was
spoken until they reached dark street,
when the lady withdrew her mantle.
"Gaston," she exclaimed, "what
recklessness! You might have been my
ruinp'
AS the marquis was about to reply
she laid a little hand on his lips.
"No, not word. I know what fool
ish excuses you will make. will not,
dare not, listen. My mind is made
up. He is breaking my heart, but what
is the difference? First take back this
ring. l have no right to keep it.
The marquis was conscious that a
ring was being slipped on his finger
"And now kiss me, sweetheart. You
deserve that much for your silence and
devotion.
The marquis spent five ecstatic min
utes, which, however, neither you nor |
need dwell upon.
"And now leave me. In another mo-
ment I shall be home. Make haste
make haste. y
She let down the right hand window
and addressed few words to the coach
man, to divert his attention from the
supposed CASTOR, who alighted on the
other side and disappeared, filled with
regrets that he had not been able to fol-
low up to the end this unexpected and
delightful adventure.
The coupe drove off straight ahead
and was soon lost in the darkness.
A clock was striking 2 as our hero
reached home. The marchioness was
just alighting at the door. The marquis
passed her without seeing her.
"Why, my dear, have you been asleep
in the vestibule? You must help me up
stairs whether you want to ornot. They
improvised cotillon, and I'm simply
exhausted.
As he offered her his arm she noticed
the ring he had forgotten to remove
from his finger.
"What beautiful ringp' she cried.
"Is it for me? I'm sure it was meant
for surprise"
The confusion of the marquis was
only equaled by his wife's delight
"Yes, it is "a surprise. shall tell
you about it in the morning."
For the next three days the young
wife was in the most affable Of moods
in expectation of the diamond. She
didn't open the piano once.
While the jeweler was making a fac
smile Of the ring the marquis endeav-
ored to find his charming unknown.
"I'm a thief" he said to himself.
"Im a thief, and here's the ring to
prove it. What will Gaston-the real
Gaston-say to her? Poor thing, what a
beautiful trinket she lost Poor fellow,
what kisses he lost! The recollection Of
them makes my head SWIM
This little adventure cost my friend
just s, 900 francs, and to help him out
Of his embarrassment I am sending the
following notice to the newspapers:
Lost, Monday, Sth, i'll coupe with
blue livery, diamond ring worth 8, 600
francs. A liberal reward offered to the
owner. "-Translated For Argonaut