The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1901-05-10

breakfast and dinner, busted the fur
niture and blacked the boots. When Ed
gar happened 10 fall in with any of his
old associates. he would say, with praise
worthy sincerity. II have found very
good master"
But Cliquet. In spite Of his self abnega-
ton and his attentions to his valet, was
constantly gnawed by remorse- When
he treated Edgar to a glass Of wine in
q cafe and Edgar said, "Oh. thank you.
sir" CliQuet heard a voice within him
SAYING:
ought to thank him. you scoundrel"
One day. after vsinly seeking to still
the voice Of conscience by various dis
fractions, CliQuet proposed to Edgar
visit TO the little cottage near Blois. Ed
gar accepted the proposal with delight.
and they started the next day.
Edgar's mother, with tears of Joy in
her eyes, embraced him tenderly, and his
sister Madeleine kissed him on both
cheeks. This scene Of affection made
powerful impression on the lonely and
susceptible Cliquet.
Mother" said Edgar. "alfow me to
present III. Alfred CliQuet, my-my en-
ployer."
Then there was Q merry luncheon.
CliQuet, under the enlivening influence Of
the thin wine, made no attempt to con-
zeal the admiration with which the beau
tifui young girl at his side inspired him.
Madeleine was q typical village girl Of
Touraine, fresh and blooming as Q rose.
She laughed often and heartily. That
night Cliquet tossed uneasily on Q sleep
ssNFo-,&owtv he gotA Ho him
self. See what worthy people you have
been robbingr'
But how could he make restitution? In
rent expenses he had already used up r.,
600 francs, besides investing $4,000 in
the Blagfontein gold mine. He could still.
however, return half Of the stolen money,
sending It by mail. anonymously, and his
remorse urged him to make this partial
restitution All, II he could only win the
heart and hand Of the charming Made
leine everything might be arranged salts
factorily! In that case he would regard
the balance remaining In his hands as an
equivalent for Madeleine's dowry.
"Courager' he thought I'VE may De
happy yet"
He rose with the sun. made his bed
and swept his room. and then, while the
fit Of work was on him. went down stairs
and began to sweep the kitchen foor.
"What are you doing. NJ. CiquetT
asked Mime. Bofignon, when she sur
prised him In the midst Of this operation.
"Oh, like to be doing something" Gil
Quet replied In a matter of fact way.
"But surely you didn't come here to do
housework." the old lady protested.
"Oh, just as you please" said Cllquet.
abandoning his sweeping and proceeding
to brush Edgar's clothes.
After FIVE days of rural life Ciiquet and
his valet returned to Paris. On the day
following their arrival Edgar received
from the postman a package which, when
opened, was found to contain 80 beautiful
blue bank notes, each of them for 1000
francs, and this line of writing:
"I>hope to be able to send the balance
before long"
Edgar cried aloud for Joy and FASTENED
to show his treasure to Cliquet.
"Look. look" he said In a voice choked
BY excitement.
"Your good fortune" said CliQuet.
snakes me glad and sorry at once"
"Sorry? WhyT
Because now you are richer than I
and l am In love with your sister,"
: well. what of II" said Edgar. 1.-THE
Boffignons did not spring from the thigh
Of Jove. We are nobody In particular.
Ny father was brisadier Of gendarmes.
On his retirement be was appointed re-
eeiver Of taxes In our little village. His
commissions amounted to 800 francs a
year. and his tobacco shop brought In
about 600 more. This sum Of $4,000
francs 10 a great fortune In our eyes. As
for you. ! suppose you are worth some
thingf"
IL will see" said Cliquet. He picked
up a newspaper and. turning to the re-
port OF the bourse. read aloud: "'South
African shares-Blagfontein, 1.120 francs
Is centimes.'
"Yes, am worth something" he said.
II. too, am one Of the infamous CAPT.
talists. will go to the bourss at once.
My Blagfonteins shall Be sold this very
day. and then we will 60 back to the
quiet life at Blois l cannot longer re-
main away from Madeleine"
And 30 Alfred and Madeleine are mar
ried, and the Cliquets and the Bofignons
live together at Blois. happy In their mu-
tual affection and the annually renewed
glory of their bright grainhelds and rich
meadows.
Cliquet sometimes Ii questioned by his
wife about the source Of his fortune. his
past life and especially about his willing
ness to settle down to the quiet Of rural
existence; but he tells her that he Is
tired Of the frivolities Of life In the gay
French capital All he wants Is to pass
the days by her side.
And then, besides, all the lost money
ls now In the family. and his conscience
Is at rest. AS he looks back his rela-
tons to his valet are not very pleasant
Pecollections. Translated From the
French For the New York Commercial
Advertiser.