Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1898-07-29
TALE OF A SLIPPER.

Madame, would you mind II ac-
companied Francois to his mothers
homer"
"No, am perfectly willing, but be
back by l 1 o'clock.
MADAME may he assured of that. We
shall be here long before H. Pierre is
down stairs, 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 Trouville, intended
to stay few weeks in Paris-long
enough to SEQ all that was new and in
teresting--nnd divert herself with what
ever offered itself in the way of novelty
Marietta, her maid, was delighted
with the idea Of the short sojourn in
Paris, for she could 500 her ilance, "a
brother of the janitor OF the apartment
in which they were stopping.
Mime Laispare, pretty widow, was
a trifie fatigued by day spent IN GO
ing from tailor to dressmalSer, from
dressmaker to milliner She was stretch
ed comfortably in reclining chair, and
her whole attention, after her maids
departure was conferred in book she
was reading 1t was intensely interest
ing and she read on until midnight
without noticing how quickly time was
passing. The sound Of the clock strik-
ing IL aroused her.
''Is it possiblel | had no idea it was
30 late. And where il Mariette?"
Sure that her maid had not yet re-
turned, she passed out on the little bal
oony from her drawing room, overlook
ing Friedland avenue, and began look
ing vainly for tho figures of Marietta
and Francois.
After short time, AZ they did not
appear, she began 10 feel anxious and
little irritatcd. In her Impotence she
struck her foot repeatedly against the
iron railing Of the balcony and direct
ly the heel Of her slipper caught IN
the ironwork, tee slipper was pulled
from her foot and, falling, just escaped
the face Of late promenader who
stood star uazinu beneath the baloony.
He uttered a startled exclamation.
and, STOPPING In anazement, he picked
up the missile looked at IL, turned 1t
over, then, carrying it to the street
lamn. examined IL carefully. IIis eur.
nrised lobk 0ave ,yav Ia one oP amused
nleasure. In fact. the simmer complete.
iV eclipsed tho Legendary one Of Gin.
derella' Il was small enough for the
foot Of "A child and made Of black satin,
embroidered with gold.
Tho unsser. feeling like the prince in
the story. knew TINT the wearer of the
slipper had IL pretty foot and tbat tho
next thing TO do was TO find her.
"Well, said be to himself. "let's
bcpin. This Sinner didn't fall ON NV
head from heaven. IL came evidently.
from That lighted window. | Thought |
saw a figure there moment ago. Well,
then, here goes"
Concealed in corner Of tho balcony,
tho countess had watched tho panto.
mime, feeling all the time strong de-
sire To LAUGH. The man. I'm approachinR
the light, had given her chance TO OBJ
serve him infinitely. He appeared young
and good looking; In dress and bearing
no was all that could bo desired. Tho
young woman told herself that no had
q very distinguished air, and 10 she felt
not at all alarmed when no approached
tho door Of tho building and rang tho
bell.
As no ono responded the first time, q
second followed IL, and then third,
prol ongod, energetic and loud, which
met with no greater success than the
first two.
"He will waken every one in tho
apartment house except that sleepy
headed ianitor What shall I do?
don't see anything but TO 10 and open Il
myself"
And accepting her part boldly the
countess descended the stairs, blaming
Marietta severely for having put her In
such position. Opening the door O
crack, she said:
"a thousand apologies, monsieur
and please give IL TO ms quickly"
But such haste was entirely outside
the plans Of NJ. de la Briere, tho mar
who held the slipper.
In truth, madame regret exceed
ingly not being able 10 grant your 70.
quest, but the object which / have just
found IL, / think, rather precious, and
you will understand that foel Ger