The times., 1898-04-03
THE SPELL OF A SLIPPER.

panied Francois to his mothers homer
No; am perfectly willing, but be back
by Il o'clock"
Madame may be assured of that: we
shall be here long before IL. Pierre is
downstairs. and if madame should need
anything
"AH right; you may go, Mariette, and
remember. II o'clock"
The Countess of Laispare had left her
chateau in the neighborhood of Com
picgne ard leaving all her servants with
the exception of her maid, whom she took
with her to Trouvile, intended to stay
few weeks in Paris-lOng enough to see
all that was new and interesting and di-
vert herself with whatever offered itself
in the way of novelty. Marette her
maid, was delighted with the idea of the
short soiourn in Paris. for she could see
her fiance. a brother of the janitor of the
apartment in which they We're stopping,
Nine. Laispare, a pretty widow, kind
and indulgent to her servants. was glad
to please Mariette and to see her so happy
in the society of her lover
4 tritie fatiguCd by a day spent in going
from tailor To dressmaker, from dress
maker to milliner. she was stretched com
fortably in a reclining chair and her
whole attention, after her maids depar-
ture. was conferred in a book she was read
ing 1t was intensely interesting and she
read on until midnight without noticing
how quickly time was passing. The sound
of the clock striking y aroused her.
rs it possible! l had no idea it was
so late. And where is Mariette?
Sure that her maid had not yet re-
turned she passed out on the little bal
cony from her drawing room, overlook
ing Friedland Avenue and began look
ing vainly for the figures of Marette
and Francois.
After short time, as they did not APP
pear she began to feel anxious and a
little irritated. In her impatience she
struck her foot repeatedly against the
iron railing of the balcony. and this mo-
ment the heel of her slipper caught in
the iron work, the slipper was pulled
from her foot and, falling, just escaped
| the face of a late promenader. who stood
| star-gaZing beneath the balcony. He ut
! tered a startled eXcIamat ton and, stoop-
| ing in amazement he picked up the mis-
| sile, looked at it. turned ii over, then
carrying it to the street lamp, examined
J it carefully. His surprised look gave way
to one of amused pleasure. In fact, the
! slipper completely eclipsed the legendary
| one of the Cinderella. 1t was small
enough for the foot of child and made
! of black satin, embroidered with gold.
| The passer, feeling like the prince in the
story. knew that the wearer of the slip
|
| thing to do was to find her.
We'll" said he to himself lets be-
gin. This slipper didn't fall on my head
| from heaven; it came, evidently from
that lighted window. l thought / saw
a figure there a moment ago. Well, then,
| here goes"
Concealed in a corner of the balcony.
the countess had watched the panto-
| mime. feeling all the time a strong. de-
sire to laugh. The man, in approaching
| the light, had given her a chance to OBJ
serve him minu,ely. He appeared young
| and good-looking; in dress and bearing
he was all that could be desired. The
| young woman told herself that he had
a very distinguished air and so she felt
! not at all alarmed when he approached
| the door of the building and rang the
bell. As no one responded the first
time. a second followed it, and then q
third prolonged, energetic and loud
which met with no greater success thar
the first two.
He will waken every one in the
apartment-house except that sleepy.
headed janitor. What shall I do?
don't see anything but to go and oper
it myself"
And, accepting her part boldly, the
countess descended the stairs, blaming
Mariette severely for having put her il
such a position. Opening the door
crack, she said:
"A thousand apologies, monsieur. anc
please give it to me quickly"
But such haste was entirely outside tn,
plans of NJ de la Briere, the man VIII,
held the slipper.
I'm truth, madame, J regret exceed
ingly not being able to grant your re
quest but the object which l have jus
found Is think rather precious. an,
you will understand that ! feel a certain
responsibility. If the slipper is yours
it Will. Of course, fit you, and will yol
allow me to assure myself by the form
ality Of trying it on?'
Your conscience. monsieur. has a yer
keen edge. but as you are not satisfied il
seeing me standing here on one foot
! suppose | must submit to the proof yo
ask for
She seated herself in one of the Iarg
: ! antique chairs in the hall. and putin
out her little foot, watched him as h
J | graVely fitted the slipper upon 1t. Tn
I | instant it was on the foot was Withdrawn
: | and disappeared beneath her skirt, Will
r | Rene de la Briere arose, somewhat dis
. / concerted. Nine. Laispare, standing o
j.. both feet this time, made him the mos
! gracious and at the same time the mos
| irOniCal of bows. and, opening the doc
wide motioned the young man out with
. gesture in which the grace did not hid
the authority. But at the moment wheI
! decidedly chagrined and confused, Ren
was about to obey the command, a lou
report made itself heard little distanC
from them.
Z The countess, never thinking that
! was the eve Of the l4th of July, a da
which all Paris celebrates with every vs
, riety OF demonstration. thought only of
4 pistol shot and robbers. Rememberin
that she was atone, she grew frightene
and wished to keep with her the strang,
I whom she had already impressiyeIy di
missed. Rene understood the situation
an instant and determined what part /
would play in the little drama; bowin
profusely. he made as if to continue h
! departure.
) Monsieur, did you not hear it?"
= Perfectly, madame; pistol shot"
Then. there are thieves in the neigl
: borhood?"
1T is very probable and now that
think of 1t, l remember observing lit
while ago a very Misunderstanding fe
low prowling about"
: II have heard no cry"
o Perhaps the shot missed"
Are you not risking something in q
J, ing out now?''
Without doubt, madame. But l
| not see any other way. You have show
4 me clearly that my presence here is il
h | opportune and | do not wish TO intrude
o Really, monster, / am afraid for yo
a and, to be frank, for myself. too. NJ
= maid has not yet returned, and if ! we
Y not afraid of troubling you l would as
K you to wait until she comes in"
:. Rene blessed his lucky star and repli,
t respectfully: Il am happy TO do you
= small service
s The hall was lighted brightly and the
5 seated themselves in the big chairs. The
g was moments awkward pause. al
:. then NJ de IA Eriere told his name III