The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-09-01
TALE OF A SLIPPER.

L ALu OI n OAll l. LII.
"Madame, would you mind if ac-
companied Francois to his mothers
homer
"No, am perfectly willing, but be
back by II O'Clock.
MADAME may be assured of that. We
shall be here long before IL. Pierre is
down stairs, and if madame should need
anything"--
tAll right. You may go, Mariette,
and remember, l / o'clock. F"
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.
Mariette, her maid, was delighted
with the idea of the short sojourn in
Paris, for she could see her fiance, 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 60
ing from tailor to dressmaker, from
dressmaker to milliner. She was stretch
ed comfortably III reclining chair, and
her whole attention, after her maid S
departure, was centered in a 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 - aroused her.
SIS it possible! had no idea il was
so late. And where is Mariette?"
Sure that her maid had not yet re-
turned, she passed out ON the little bal
cony from her drawing room, overlook
ing Friedland avenue, and began look
ing vainly for the figures of Mariette
and Francois.
After a short time, as they did not
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 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 il
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 il
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'
begin. This slipper didn't fall on my
head from heaven. 1t came, evidently
| from that lighted window. I thought
saw figure there a moment ago. Well
then, here goes"
Concealed in corner of the balcony
the countess had watched the panto
mime, feeling all the time a strong de
sire to laugh. The man, in approachin.
the light, had given her chance to OBJ
serve him minutely. He appeared youn'
and good looking; in dress and bearin,
he was all that could be desired. Th
| young woman told herself that he ha,
very distinguished air, and so she fel
not at all alarmed when he approache,
the door of the building and rang tn
bell.
AS no one responded the first time,
second followed it, and then third
olonged, energetic and loud, whicl
met with no greater Cuccess than tn
first two.
''He will waken every one in tn
headed janitor. What shall I do?
don't see anything but to go and open
myself.
And accepting her part boldly th
countess descended the stairs, blamin
Mariette severely for having put her i
such position. Opening the door
crack, she said:
GA thousand apologies, monsieur
and please give it to me quickly"
But SuCn naSCe was euu1rely OuGS1O
the plans of NJ. de la Briere, the ma
who held the slipper.
''In truth, madame, regret exceed
ingly not being able to grant your rt
quest, but the object which I have jus
found is, think, rather precious, an
you will understand that 1 feel cel
tain responsibility. If the slipper
yours it will of course fit you, and wi
you allow me to assure myself by tt
formality of trying it on?''
"Your conscience, monsieur, has
very keen edge, but as you are not sati
fed i'll seeing me standing here on Oh
foot l suppose I must submit to til
proof you ask for"
She seated herself in one of the lars