The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1899-07-27
I listened, too, looking the while at

in black; against the severe line of the
deeolletage her throat and shoulders
rose like veritable Carrara. She had a
narrow gold ring on her little finger
and three sapphire cornfoweys shone
In her chestnut hair that fell In two
soft braids fur below her waist. Clio
the Fair, IN exquisite blond. with
brown eyes-the goddess of imperti-
nence!-a disenchanted young person
whom Prince Soltikoff had baptized a la
russo by pouring champagne foam on
her hair-worc a well-molded green vel
vet gown and u ruby necklace. This
young creole of 20 wns quoted as the
model Of ell the reprehensible virtues.
She would have bewitched the pro-
foundest philosopher Of Greece or the
austerest me.aphysician of Germany.
She had JUS: returned from Baden
Baden. laughing as merrily as child.
and leaving 5000 louis on the green
cloth. Susannnh jackson, the Scottish
Gree with night-black hair. In red vel
vet, looked Ike dark lily-the mean
ing of her name. by the way, In Hebrew,
she told me. A red, green, or black
mask hung from each belt.
When Susannah left the piano took
n bouquet from the table and offered It
to her with jest: you are diva! Wear
one of these flowers for the sake of un-
known admirers" She graciously fas-
tened a spray Of hortensia in her bodice.
II don't read anonymous lettsrs!" she
said, laying the rest Of my "snlaam" on
the piano.
"Ah, cold Susannah!" cried Cantal,
laughing. "you have come into the
world merely 20 show US that snow
burns"
At this moment Joseph entered carry
Ing bowl of iced punch. for we had
resolved to drink like lords. Baron
Saturn seemed restless; saw him pull
out his watch, draw ring off his finger
and give It to Antonio. and rise from his
seat
Lord Of distant regionsl" l called
out TO him, between two puffs Of q
cigar, "you mustn't think Of leaving us
for an hour yet. You'll pass for mys-
terious, and that's the worst Of taste"
"Accept my apologies" he replied,
"but o duty that cannot ignore and
that brooks no delay calls me away.
Pray believe TINT I am hopelessly In
your debt for the charmed hours spent
here"
"Is II really duel, thenY'' asked An
tonic, nervously.
"Stay with us and save . cold Look
ut US; listen and decided" said Cantal.
''Gentlemen." said Baron Saturn. Il
will confess that am blind and deaf
as often ss God permits"
This incomprehensible speech
plunged us into the most absurd con-
lectures. We looked at each other
with an awkward smile, not knowing
what to think Of this Jest, when sudden
ly IL flashed across me where had frst
seen the man. For the space Of sec
ond everything about me seemed
bathed In red light-a light that came
from our guest. Approaching the for
eigner. whispered In his ear:
Monsieur. pardon me II l am wrong.
but believe had the pleasure Of meet
ing you five or six years ago at Lyons,
at four o'clock one morning. In public
square"
Saturn raised his head and looked at
me intentiy. "Ah!" he said. ut is possi-
ble.r
"Yes!" went on, looking at him in.
tently. swat q bitIn that square
there stood melancholy object that !
was drugged to see by two student
friends, and that I've sworn never to
look on again."
"Indeed!" observed Saturn; ~and
what wus that object, II I am not indis-
Greet in asking?"
"A scaffold; q guillotine, monsieur,
II my memory serves me. Yes! II was
the guillotine. Now I'm sure Of it!"
These words had passed In very low
tone between us. Cantal and the ladies'
stood talking near the piano.
that's 1t! I remember" I added.
raising my voice. "What do you say to
my memory? Although you drove by
very quickly, your carriage, delayed
moment by mine, let me catch Q glimpse
OF you In the torchMght The circum-
stance stamped your face on my mind.
You had absolutely the same express
sion then as now"
"Ah. ah!" he replied; ut is true; you
speak with great accuracy. l admitl"
And his strident laugh gave me the
feeling Of o pair Of blant scissors saw
ing lock Of hair.
Zone detail among others impressed
me-" went on. "From distance. l
saw you got out near where the scaf-
fold was standing. and-unless have
been deceived by resemblance"
"You have not been deceived. my dear
sir" he returned; ut was l."
At this word ! felt that the CONVERSE
tion had grown icy. l was hunting for
q commonplace with which to change
the current Of thoughts, when sudden
ly Antonio turned from the piano and
said, somewhat sadly:
"By the way, you know there 10 an
execution this morning. It is poor DR..