Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1902-12-13
A GAME OF
HIDE AND SEEK


c6itSer ~ n. VI. I'cStOn.)
- ATURNlEN awokc later than
~ usual that morning. He
y yawncd. sighed, arose, APP
preached the window and
with languid gesture pulled back
the ample curtains that kept out the
light Of day.
"A perfect day for fishing he la
mented, land to think that l have to
pass ii chained to desk in Paris"
Don't go to Paris" counselled Nine.
Saturnien; write to the manager that
you are H."
Tempt ME not, daughter of Eve
"Or better still, | will write to NJ.
Aperasse myself; that will surely con-
vince him of the gravity Of your con-
dltion."
"A terribly imprudent thing to do.
What If he should send the administra-
ton doctor out to see me:'
Hereto Narenne-this very day?
Oh, the cowardice of men" retorted
the daughter of Eve" contcmptuous-
ly.
They passed into another room where
Mime. Saturnien-,Juliettc, if you prefer
turned over the pages of II ponder
Gus book of medicine belonging to
Doctor Salollcs. their neighbor and
tenant. For Saturnien, You must
know, was property holder, and his
house. situated on the banks OF the
Marine, consisted Of two pavilions ex-
actly alike, which adjOined each other
after the manner of the Siamese twins.
In one of these divisions the Saturnien
couple had their abode; in the other
was that of DR.. Saddles.
Jullette wrote:
"Monsieur: My husband, after suf-
fering all night with torturing pain in
his left foot. perceived this morning
that the great toe was swollen TO an
enormous size. He intended going to
the office rs usual. but on making the
effort found il quite impossible 10 pro-
coed. He begs me TO express to you,
together with his, deep regret the sin
cere hope that the disability will lie OF
but short duration.
"Sncerely.
"JULIETTE SATURNIEN."
Simple and in good taste" approved
the employe; neither compromising in
the present nor binding in the future.
Come and give me a kiss, my charm
Ing secretary. And now hurry with
the letter to friend DarblaiOuSc, whom
YOU will find at this moment in the
station, it being Just The hour at which
we both take the twain for Paris. In
this way the manager will receive the
earliest possible notice, and l sAal!
be able to pass the day with a cOmpar
ativcly clear conscience
NJ. Apcrassc, on reading Jullette's
mlssive, contracted his brow into
frown. He well knew the ruling pas
sion of his subordinate, and guessed
the facts in the case at once.
"Decidedly tishy" he said, tapping
the letter with stern fOreiinger. Then
he hurriehly betool himself to the
Office Of the manager-in-chicf where
the two officials held consultation in
the case OF Saturnicn. which, could the
latter have overheard it, would have
cured him ut once.
Meanwhile, installed in fat-bot-
toned boat close to the shore near
his house, the truant happy as god,
was taking in fish after fish. The
Marnc. tranquil and sunny, flowed
smoothly past him, as did the hours
stepped in bliss. At noon the house
wife brought an abundant cold repast,
and together they sat in the little boat
and ate 1t. While they We're in the
midst Of this agreeable occupation a
shadow fell on the water before them.
Saturnien was on the point Of turning
around. when the little bell attached
to one Of his poles gave Il tlnkle, and
Immediately lie became cngrossod in
the rapture of Jerking high up into the
air the invisible creature that had
caused the sound--a perch.
"Bravo.' exclaimed voice directly
behind the boat No sooner was the
word uttered than the same voice
emitted a cry of distress and IA heavy
body, striking the water. parted It, and
sent showers Of spray up over diners
and repast. Bravely the fisherman
plunged in over the side of the boat.
and after a moment closed his grasp
on a pair OF moving coat tails. TO
draw his inanimate burden up to the
surface and raise it laboriously, with
the help Of Tuliette. into the boat was
the affair Of but Il few moments
Let lis get him quickly to the
oil Inv
DR.. Saddles be away to-day of all 9TH
ers?"
Turning their back on fishing poles
and sandwiches. the couple lifted the
insenSble man out of the boat and
between them got him up the stairs
that led to the bank above and to the
house. where they undressed and put
him to bed Nine. Jul!ette. in present
ing the soaked garments to the blaze of
a roaring fire, turned the coat upside
down. and from one of the pockets
dropped folded sheet of paper. which
opened as it fell. Julette picked it up,
ran her eye over the writing it con.
tanned, and for moment stood petrl-
fled with dismay. Then. in panic.
stricken voice. she called TO Saturnlen,
and handed him the letter. This is
what he read:
Dear Doctor-pleasc take the next
train to Varenne and call there on one
Of our employees, NJ. Louis Saturnien,
LOG Rue du Colombier. have just re-
ceived word that painful swelling Of
the great toe prevents his coming to
the office to-day. Kindly make an
examination to-day and impart to me
at your earliest convenience your dag.
nosis of this most remarkable case.
Sincerely. p. APERASSE."
Heavens" cried Saturnien, aghast.
~ messenger from the ministry must