Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1900-05-22


OF his one time hope and aspirations
More than that. there appealed TO him
| that which had given the Impetus to
all the rest-a woman's love-Marie's
And II was all gone. Marie farther
away than the rest. Only he fingered.
and for whati And should this con.
tinue? No: thousand times no. He
had been fool to suffer II so long. but
now he would end IT, The riverl IL
was cool there. and quiet. and dark.
and-ionely. No: he would go on to
his room at Mamzelle's, look Into a
beautifully polished little American
cylinder. with revolving chamber at
one end Of II. and In moment there
would be a quiet length lying on his
bed. and II would be all over! He could
scarcely wait to get to the Place Ia
brosse. only that II would be too much
a part OF his new loneliness TO be rock
ed about In the river his wide open
eyes turning every now and then up TO
the stars that should not heed. He
reached the house. his latchkey In his
hand. On the step he glanced up at
the dull little domicIle He to call this
life. to creep into hiding hole In this
poor place-he who had known so much
that was different! He was OF no I'M
portance now. but in few hours he
would have made even little Mamzelle
Of the utmost Importance and given
her name to thousands OF readers OF
the newspapers. A garden would pace
back and forth In front Of the house.
The whole machinery Of the nation
would be set In operation.
Wild to get II over. he dashed the
key into the lock. but Mamzelle was at
the door before he could turn the knob.
Her face was scared. Beyond her In
the dim entry the lamp hared on It's
table and outlined blotch on the wall
which Besson knew to be her fathers
hat
"Monsieur!" she stammered. Mon
| sieurr and could get no further.
Anything wrong. MamzelleT be
asked her.
"Not at ALL" she answered.
"Ohw he said 81 have been to the
theater. and bad play II was. Sardou
is as correct In his French history az
you would be. very likely. But ! be-
lieve ! have said as much to you be-
fore"
Several times" she returned.
He laughed.
"It Is way have" he reminded
her. "Good night! and prepared to
ascend the stairs. II shall rest-restw
The moment had arrived. the mo-
ment to meet which she had been so
long nerving herself.
monsieur" she said. trembling In
every limb. Twill you do me the favor
to step into my parlorY'
He turned round, his hand on the
baluster Of the stairs. She saw the
fash Of the ring on his finger. What
right had he to wear rings when he
owed half a years rent?
'.rhen there is something the mat.
ter" he said. "You-you have not been
frightened during my absenceY
L
vwered. with dry mouth. ut Is not
that"
"Then what Is itY' he querled. "Is
II the mice? These old houses are over.
run with mice. You should keep q
cat"
monsieur" she said. "you have not
eound me unreasonableY
"Assuredly not" he told her.
81 am not easily put into bad hu-
norY'
Indeed. no."
"You do not nnd me annoying or In
sistentY'
"You are the most retiring Of crea:
lures"
"Then II is this" she said-"that Ii.
mean. II monsieur will pardon me for
being so bold. ! should find good use
for little money Just now-not much.
say 90 francs. I could not accept more
than 60 francs. The fact is. have or.
dered a tombstone for my fathers
grave. Dalcour, who makes 1t. ls
gfedt IrleuO Oh OdTieic, uSsooc tuS "eS'
30 he lets me have II at low price.
Indeed, Il Is quite an occasion But
he has been 60 deceived he knows not
whom to trust, and tombstone made
for a certain person 10 not pleasant
goods to have returned on ones hands
He asks me for 90 francs on account
on the 18th. which ID the day after to
morrow-it IL my fathers birthday
and at noon. when be pays bis men.
Then the tombstone goes up. The rest
Of the money pay In q year. which ID
certainly most reasonable Of Dalcour
But have uot the 60 francs. J have
promised Il. though. and II grieves me
to think may not keep my word. u
monsieur would kindly let me have
that amount. not franc more. ! should
be Infinitely obliged should NOT b