The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1901-02-09
A STONY WITHIN A sToR,

men, I have not said that she was
beautiful, yet such was the case. tler
face was one of the loveliest that
have ever seen: her figure was per-
feet, and"
"well?" interrupted NJ. Blouet, some
what impatiently.
Gentlemen, / will not bore you,"
continued M. Lebon, smiling; simply
imagine her beautiful in face and form;
then, gentlemen, around her neck,
which was of the purest mold. was
riveted golden chain, to which was
attached this key. And, gentlemen,
from the first of June, 1S4S, to the day
of her death. the chain never left her
neck, nor the key the chain"
He paused again, and once more
seemed disnclined to go on.
WELL" said NJ. Blouet, 1--WE have the
mystery; now for the solving of it,"
Gentlemen" continued Nj. Lebon,
smiling sagely. as he tipped off the
ashes of his cigarette, II have told you
all that anybody but myself knows; is
that not enough? You now know what
all Paris knew; are you not satisfed?"
and he laughed quietly to himself.
We smoked for a few moments in
silence, both NJ. Blouet and myself sur
missing that the best way to hear the
rest of the tory was to leave the mar
| rator completely to himself. In mo-
ment the latter began again, speaking
rapidly and in short sentences.
'In 1S4S her husband owned coun-
try house near Passy. She was then
young and Coy no chain or key
adorned her neck then. One day she
| Stp l,. Ia, gl,, i,,e,
somebody in the wardrobe. A SER
want had betrayed her The Musco-
vite Othello turned the key twice 'r
the wardrobe. took it out. then told
his wife to follow him. A travelling
| briska stood a few PAGES from the
villa. More dead than alive the un-
happy woman obeyed. When the hus-
band had placed her in the carnage,
he gava an order in a low voice to
! the cnachman. Keep this key. lie
said to his wife I have forgotten
something and will return. then went
back to the house He returned, ac-
cording to his promise, but, as the
carriage descended the hill, the poor
woman saw flames issuing from the
windows of the villa. She tainted.
Three days she remained unconscious.
ON regaining her senses, she perceived
that a gold chain was riveted around
her neck, to which was attached a
golden key, the exact counterpart or
the original, bearing an incriptiOn. She
wished to kill herself. but her husband
pointed to the inscription and aided
that If she would save her family from
dishonor she must ever observe it.
She was therefore condemned to live.
Her strange necklace excited much
curiosity in Paris. At last her Iyrant
allowed her to retire to Il quiet Pc
treat on the express stipulation that
she would not atetmpt to destroy her
self during his lifetime. His death re-
leased her from this condition"
Some three weeks later | was calling
on my friend LebOn. who wished tn
show me some old manuscripts that
he had been collecting. He produced
a large box of rosewood, which he
casually remarked contained his fam
lily papers. To my establishment he
drew from his pocket the mysterious
key and inserted it in the lock, which
Welded readily to his pressure, and
the lid flew back.
why" l exclaimed, in wonder
"that is the key
"The key?' he interrogat"d. Then
he laughed long and loud. And You
swallowed all that" hc said, when
he could control his merriment.
Certainly" | replied grimly.
, 'l3y the way, though, it wouldn'i
, make bad story, would it? | think
/ will work it up, elaborate it little
you know"
left the house feeling deeply NOR
tilted to think that l had been 50 er'
, fectually sold" A desire for re-
, vonge took possession of me, and
. determined to steal a march on him
have done so.--Walter Littlefield IL
: the January Criterion.