Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1898-07-31

Through the Mnln& fOOm WlnuOWs,
which opened on the first floor. in one
Of the handsomest houses OF Saint
Clement Loire. the night penetra-
ted softly, waited by a gentle breath
that scarcely raised the curtains, and
died away at the motionless feet Of
Notary Roitelet and Mime. Roitelet,
his wife.
They had dined and were sitting
silent over the remains of the dessert
Their faces were in repose and their
eyes turned toward the deep blue
heavens now lighted by stars. From
the Grand Rue, where the noise of the
day had ceased, little by little, lulled
by the calm, influence Of a warm June
evening, now and then the, sound Of
footsteps on, the sidewalk were family
heard occasionally merry laugh or
the whistle of street boy, drowned
for; ia moment by the roll of wagon or
carriage wheels on the pavement
broke the stiffness.
M. and Mime. Roitelet waited, still
seated motionaess upon their chairs,
ready to leave the house at the first
signal. Suddenly they arose, as il con-
trolled by the same impulse. Half
past eight O'Clock had pust struck at
the neighboring chapel Of the Ursu-
lines.
LET us be off, said the deep voice
of M. Roitelet, who, owing to his heavy
brown mustache and military bearing,
might have been taken for a cavalry
officer rather than for placid petty
notary.
Let us be off, repeated gaily Nine
ROitelet, in fiute-like voice. She was
plump little blonde, who appeared
still very young, despite her thirty
four years. Marie, we are going out, !"
she called from the corridor in passing
the kitchen
They descended the Grand Rue,
which led straight, as every one
knows, to the office of the assistant
sheriff. On their way hats were raised
to greet them, for the Roitelets were
held in great esteem.
"Good-evening, M. Roitelet." Good
evening, Mime. Roitelet,' was heard on
all sides, compelling them to turn their
heads at each instant, and to reply by
a nod or a smile
at is already half-past eight? The
Roitelets are going to the Duchemins"
Every Thursday evening, in fact, for
fifteen years, the Roitelets had, at ex-
actly the same hour, been seen to wend
their way to the pretty little house
of Notary Duchemin, which was stu
ated on the square of the Sous-Prefec-
ture.
/And for fifteen years, every Thurs
day evening, as half-past eight o'clock
Z sounded, Nine. Duchemin lighted the
two lamps in her drawing room, in or
der to receive with becoming dignity
the Roitelets, the old companions of
her young days, with whom she could
converse without fear about the differ
ent scandals of the city. When the
Roitelets arrived. the caE< able was
in readiness and The Ieaf 15V d in a
li.lllI - ~ .oef0fe tde f0dr cta1iS Hav-
ing seated themselves they proceeded
to play quietly and earnestly, the
game being continued until Roitelet
the wisest of the four, decided to end
the play, and, gathering the cards up
with a gesture full of decision, said,
briefly:
Enough"
About five francs were lost each
evening. After the game converse
tion followed. The gains and losses
were disputed or discussed, until hap
by interruption occurred in the en-
trance of an old nurse, who carried in
her trembling hanNs a waiter bearing
a steaming urn, and while Nine.
al, IN, hn
Roitelet heated herself before the
piano and played the Turkish march.
Sitting in large armchair, Notary
Roitelet let his head sink upon his
breast and was soon lost in the delights
of little nap, which, through cour-
tesy, was termed a study.
On this particular evening he did
not sleep; on the contrary, he held his
head erect in such manner as not
only to arouse attention, but anxiety
as well.
ssWhat are you thinking about, Ro-
itelet?' asked Duchem1n, who was
little wizened-up old man. "Of what
are YOU thinking?" he asked again, not
having received a reply, and Nine.
Roitelet stopped playing In order 10
repeat the same question.
what are you thinking ABOUT, no.
itelet?''
Roitelet, with his legs extended and
his two arms crossed upon his expan-
siye chest, smiled without replying
Ind with the air of man VINO had a
nnsisa at hand, but who proposed
e his time.
ome YOU have the floor" said
Duchemin. o,,a,
Met raised his large eyes, cough
ky and said: .,,
I'm fifteen days it will be the
Madeleine, the fete day OF
Sand for that day. | have ar
great surprise, one OF those
r was on the alert, every
with anticipation. Nine.
shed with emotion ana I'M
Hence reigned.
Surprise, my dear? asked
!Madeleine at length, in a trempiing
voice. -;eo.
The notary looked at his little VIE;
then in O. tone of Indifference said:
ga support
ON every face arose look of disap-
nointment called forth by the pretense
of surprise, and for an instant an at
mosphere of i'll humor pervaded.
~ will