Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1898-05-18
THE SPELL Of A SLIPPER.

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
All right, you may go, Marietta, and
remember, II O'clock
The Countess of Laispare had left her
chateau in the neighbOrhood of Com
piegne, and leaving all her servants with
the exception of her maid. whom she took
with her to IrOuYille. intended to stay q
few weeks in Paris-long enough to see
all that was new and interesting-and di-
vert herself with whatever offered itself
III the way of novelty. Marietta, her
maid, was delighted with the idea of the
short sojOurn in Paris, for she could see
her hance, brother Of the janitor of the
apartment in which they were stopping.
Nine. Laispare, a pretty widow, was a
tribe fatgued by day spent in going
from tailor to dressmaker, from dress
maker to m1lliner; she was stretched COM
fortacly in a reclining chair, and her
whole attention, after her maids depart
ure, was centered in a book she was read
ing. It was intensely interesting and she
read on until midnight without noticing
how quickly time was passing. The
sound of the clock striking Il aroused
her.
rs it possible! I had no idea it was so
Sure that her maid had not vet re-
turned, she passed out on the little bal
cOny from her drawing room, overlooking
E'riedland avenue, and began looking vain
~ for the figures Of Marietta and Fran
co.'s
After short time. as they did not ap-
pear, she began to feel anxious and little
irritated. In her Impotence she struck
her foot repeatedly against the iron railing
OF the balcony, and at this moment the heel
of her slipper caught in the iron work. the
slipper was pulled from her foot. and. fall
ing. just escaped the face Of a late prone
nader. who stood star-gazing beneath the
balcony. He uttered a startled exclama-
ton, and, STOPPING in amazement, he
picked up the missile. looked at it, turned
It over. then, carrying it to the street
lamp, examined it carefully. His sur
prlsed look gave way to one of amused
pleasure. In fact, the slipper completely
eclipsed the legendary one of the Cinder-
ella. 1t was small enough for the foot of
4 child and made of black satin, embroid-
cred with gold. The passer, feeling like
the prince in the story, knew that the
wearer of the slipper had a pretty foot
and that the next thing to do was to find
her.
Well" said he to himself, ''let's begin.
This slipper didn't fall on my head from
heaven; it came, evidently. from that
lighted window. I thought I saw figure
there a moment ago, Well, then, here
goes
Concealed in a corner of the balcony,
the countess had watched the pantomime,
feeling all the time a strong desire to
laugh. The man, in approaching the light
had given her q. chance TO observe him
infinitely. He appeared young and good
looking; in dress and bearing he was all
an told herself that he had a very dis
tinguished 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, second followed
it, and then third prolonged, energetic
and loud, which met with no greater sue.
cess than the first two
He will waken everyone in the apart
men house except that sleepy-headed JAM
tor. What shall I do? | don't see any
thing but to go and open it myself.
And, accepting her part boldly, the
countess descended the stairs. blaming
Marietta severely for having put her in
crack, she said:
"A thousand apologies, monsieur, and
please give it to me quickly"
But such haste was entirely outside the
plans of NJ. de la Briere, the man who
held the slipper.
~ not being able to grant your request
but the object which l have just found is
I think, rather precious, and you will IN
derstand that / feel a certain responsible
ty. If the slipper is yours, it will, of
course, fit you, and will you allow me to
assure myself by the Formally of trying
it on?"
Your conscience, monsieur, has very
keen edge, but as you are not satisfied in
seeing me standing here on one foot, sup
pose | must submit to the proof you ask
for"
L.
antique chairs in the hail. and, putting out
her little foot, watched him as he gravely
fitted the slipper upon it. The instant it
was on the foot was withdrawn, and dis
appeared beneath her skirt. while Rene de
Ia Briere arose, somewhat Disconnected
Nine. Laispare, standing on both feet this
time, made him the most gracious and at
the same time the most irOnical of bows
and, opening the door wide, mOtiOned
the young man out with a gesture in
which the grace did not hide the authori-
ty. But at the moment when, decidedly
chagrined and confused, Rene was about
to obey the command, a loud report made
itself heard a little distance from them.
The countess, never thinking that it was
the eve of July IA, day which all Paris
celebrates with every variety Of demon
stration, thought only of pistol shot and
robbers. Remembering that she was
alone, she grew frightened and wished to
already impressively dismissed Rene
understood the situation il an instant, and
determined what part he would play in
the little drama; bowling profusely he
made as if to continue his departure
monster, did you not hear it?"
Perfectly, madame; pistol shot,
Then. there are thieves in the neigh
borhood?'
1T is very probable; and now that l
think Of it, | remember observing a little
while ago a very Misunderstanding fellow
prowling about"
Il have heard no cry
Perhaps the shot missed"
Are you not risking something in go
ing out now?'
Without doubt, madame But | do
not see any other way. You have shown
me clearly that my presence here is mop
perfume, and l do not wish to intrude.''
Really, monsieur, am afraid for you.
and, to be frank, for myself, 100. NV
maid has not yet returned, and if l were
not afraid of troubling you l would ask
you to wait until she comes in
Rene blessed his lucky star and replied