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

II>HERE were three of us one even
ing In the readng-room of the
Press club NJ. Paul Blouet. bet
ter known as Max O'Relr
through his sketches of French
and English life and character; M.
Charles p. Lebon, instructor OF French,
who. by the way, is a literateur or
some little note and myself. the con-
yersation, after various fluctuations
had assumed a storytelling drift. NJ.
Blouet had just related an amusing
anecdotc of his Boston sojourn, ana
we were silently pulling in that agree
able languor that arises from good
weed and good story.
on drawing his card-case from his
pocket NJ. Lebon brought forth small.
bright object that glistened second
in the .lamplight as it fell to the floor.
He stopped for 1t with rather undue
haste: with so much haste, In fact,
that he called our attention to move
ment that otherwise would have passed
unnoticed.
What is it?" inquired NJ. Blouet.
without a word Lebon handed him
the object he had dropped, but eyed
him carefully as it was examined.
"a key" remarked NJ. Blouet. "a
key, and evidently of gold and he
passed it to me.
held In my hand u key of perhaps
an inch in length, and half as wide.
There was nothing particularly re-
markable about it. unless it were the
material of which it was composed:
that appeared to be gold Suddenly my
eye caught sight of a date and an in
of a kpN
er Juin 1S4S. Memento MORT"
"a curious key" | suggested, as l
returned It to NJ. Lebon; tell us about
it."
The one addressed puffed assiduous-
ly for moment or two, as he twirled
the mysterious key between his fore
reply.
Come, come" said NJ. Blouet, as he
leaned forward with interest, there
must be something to tell about a key
like that. Why not let us have it?"
You are right, gentlemen: there is
curious story concerning this key
and, since you desire 1t, will tell II
to you; for truly, gentlemen, without
exaggeration, this little bit of metal
that 1 hold in my hand, has one of the
most remarkable of histories"
Tell 1t! tell it!' we both exclaimed
in breath.
Fresh cigarettes were lighted, and
still holding the key in his hand as
If to bear witness to what he said
NJ. Lebon began his story.
1T was in 1871, just after the sur
render of Paris. The second empire
had fallen. Monsieur Theirs and his
party held the government. Evidences
of the terrible Commune were on every
hand. still the city was beginning tC
look like the habitation of "a civilized
people. One morning, Les journal des
nebats announced the death, at Yer.
sailles. of a Russian lady, who. fol
more than twenty Years, had kept al
the gossips of the Paris salons busy
concerning a mystery that seemed {,
surround her. For reasons that I shal
presently explain, she became know
as La Dame la Clef.' Now a nick
name in Paris means a great dea
more than it does here. When one |.
ncknamed there one carries that nam,
to the grave. The notice in Les Jour
nal des Debats mentioned La Dame
la Clef est mOrte.' 1t did not give he
own name: that would have signifieC
nothing. The paper concluded by say
ing that she died, aged forty-five, IL
complete solitude. 1t seems that he
husband who was much older thai
she, had visited her regularly ever
six months during the past ten year
and then had disappeared, no on
knew where All was mysteriou
about this Lady of the Key One da
came to her the news of her hus
bands death. She survived MIN bu
a short time, and it was whispere
that she had allowed herself to di
from hunger. That was all :ha notic
Of her death had to say about. IN
matter; the mystery still renaine
unexplained. and the interest concern
ing her grew less and less and gradual
ly died away altogether"
NJ. Lebon paused to relight his Cl
garettc, which he had allowed to 4
out. After doing this. he settled bac
in his chair, puffed once or twice, bu
did not seem at all inclined TO con
tinue the story.
Well" | calculated, ''go IN. Tha
Is no story. Why. you haven't eve
said what the mystery was, or wh
she was called La Dame a Ia Clef.'
"Ah yes" he replied pensively
quite right. I had forgotten. Gentle