The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1898-07-26
TALE OF A SLIPPER.

Madame may be assured of that. We
shall be here long before IL. Pierre is
down stairs, and if madame should need
anything
GAN 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 see all that was new and in
teresting-and 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 see her fance, a
brother of the janitor of the apartment
in which they were stopping.
Mime. Laispare, a pretty widow, was
trife fatigued by day spent in 60
ing from tailor to dressmaker, from
dressmaker to milliner. She was stretch
ed comfortably in reclining chair, and
her whole attention, after her maid s
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 possible | had no idea it was
SO late And where is Mariette?''
Sure that her maid had not yet re-
TN cno Ill
cony from her drawing room, overlook
ing Friedland avenue, and began look
ing vainly for the figures of Marietta
and Francois.
After short time, as they did not
appear, 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 direct
ly the heel Of her slipper caught in
the ironwork, 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 uttered startled exclamation,
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
prised look gave way to one of amused
pleasure. In fact, the slipper complete
ly eclipsed the legendary one of Gin
derella. 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
slipper had 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. 1t came, evidently,
from that lighted window. thought
saw figure there moment ago. Well,
then, here goes.
Concealed in corner Of the balcony,
the countess had watched the panto-
mime, feeling all the time strong de-
sire to laugh. The man, in approaching
the light, had given her a chance to OBJ
serve him infinitely. 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
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,
second followed it, and then third,
prolonged, energetic and loud, which
met with no greater success than the
first two.
''He will waken every one in the
apartment house except that sleepy
headed janitor. What shall l do? l
don't see anything 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
such position. Opening the door
crack, she said:
"A thousand apologies, monsieur,
and please give 1t to me quickly"
But such haste was entirely outside
the plans of M. de la Briere, the man
who held the slipper.
In truth, madame, regret exceed
ingly not being able to grant your re-
quest, but the object which have just
found is, | think, rather precious, and
you will understand that feel GER
tain responsibility. If the slipper is
yours, it will of course fit you, and will
you allow me to assure myself by the
formality of trying it on2''
Your conscience, monsieur, has a
very keen edge, but as you are not salts
fed i'll seeing me standing here on one
foot 1 suppose I must submit to the
proof you ask for. :"
She seated herself in one of the large
antique chairs in the hall and putting
out her little foot watched him as he
gravely fitted the slipper upon 1t. The
instant it was ON the foot was with
drawn and disappeared beneath her
skirt while Rene de la 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 gesture in which
the grace did not hide the authority.
But at the moment when, decidedly
chagrined and confused, Rene was
about to obey the command loud re-
port made itself heard 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
demonstration, thought only Of pistol
shot and robbers. Remembering that
she was alone, she grew frightened and
wished to keep with her the stranger
whom she had already impressively dis
missed. Rene understood the situation
in an instant and determined what
part he would play in the little drama.
Bowling profusely, he made as if to con-
tinue his departure.
Monsieur, did you not hear it?''
Perfectly, madame; pistol shot "
''Then there are thieves in the neigh
borhood?"
at is very probable, and now that
think of it remember observing lit
tie while ago very villainous looking
fellow prowling about. -
II have heard no cry"-
"Perhaps the shot missed"
"Are you not risking something in
going out now?'
Without doubt, madame. But l do
not see any other way. You have shown
me clearly that my presence here is in