The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-07-20
Copyright. 1898. by Daily Story Pub.

Copyright, 1898, by Daily story FuD.
Co.
Looking over the mass of old books
that lay spread out on the counter
of the shop. became aware that the
old shopkeeper had approached. He
patted a book gently. as he said: Z
"Will you please look at this one? l
secured it but yesterday at very low
price and I can let you have it cheap.
I doubt that there is another like it in
existence"
He placed the book on the counter.
and as I reached over for it my heart
bounded with joy. Before me was the
most exquisite and uncommon biblio-
graphical curiosity that had ever
frightened the eye or quickened the
heart of a bookworm.
The book appeared to be about seven
inches wide by ten inches long. and an
inch thick. 1t was bound in skin, the
like Of which l had never seen before.
The texture of the binding was satiny,
finely grained and of an old ivory tint.
On the cover was a representation of a
burning heart. and beneath it. in let
tiers of gold, the one F'laman-
coer." On the dedication page was in
scribed in golden print Souvenir
dune morte." surrounded by a deli
eately painted garland of violets. Below
was the intertwfned cipher. 81. & D."
There was no name on the fy-leaf to
tell me to whom the treasure had be-
longed.
Where did you get this book?" I
inquired, turning to the shopkeeper
II secured it but yesterday from an
disappearing fellow who came into my
shop with it and several others that
he desired to sell. AS there were no
names in any of the books. 1 asked no
questions. but simply gave him what l
thought they were worth and let him
go. The others are common books,
such as you would not care to pur-
chase he concluded.
The old rascal asked a stupendous
price for the book; but as few francs
more or less made little difference to
me. paid what he demanded and left
the shop with the volume under my
arm.
When had gained my apartments in
the Rue de Rigor l glanced through the
book and found that it consisted of q
number of love letters in a mans hand
writing, all of which were signed with
the initial ID" / then placed the VOL
ume among the others of my collec-
ton, mentally resolving to acquaint
myself with the contents of the letters
at the earliest opportunity.
A week passed away, and through
stress of other matters forgot all about
the book. Three more days went by,
and then, on the night of the third
day. the odd volume was recalled to
my mind by a thrilling occurrence,
which was followed by a denouement.
was sitting in my library that night
when, shortly after 10 o'clock, my
friend. the Count Marthold, dropped in.
We discussed various topics of the day
for while, until conversation tagged,
and at length the count arose and
walked over to where my book collec-
ton was arranged. He began idly
handling some of the volumes. Sud-
denly he wheeled around. In his right
hand he grasped a book and his face
was livid. as, poining to it, he cried
For Gods sake! tell me quicki
Where did you get that book?"
He pointed to the book with the
ivory-tinted skin binding.
The counts appearance frightened
before. For full minute 1 did not
answer him.
AT length I gained sufficient control
of my senses to tell him that 1 had
purchased the volume at a book shop
In the Rue - -, but little more
than week before.
The counts face cleared instantly
and he sank into a chair.
1T must have been stolen. And to
think! If you had not been fortunate
enough to be the one to purchase it."
Then. seeing the bewildered look on
my face, he continued:
The last time 1 saw this book
say this book because 1 know posi-
lively that there is not another like 1t
in existence-it rested in box of
/ Venetian brocade in the study of AL
bert Durandeau. my dearest friend,
who values it above all else on earth
for it is bound with what was once
the fair. pink skin of the woman he
loved"
I bounded from my chair in horror
and astonishment.
What" I cried: chat book is bound
with the skin Of woman?"
Eyes" he replied. the skin from the
shoulders of one who was once the
fairest of Gods creatures. 1 am sure
that Durandeau is as yet unaware that
the book has passed out of his posses
sion. With your permission 1 will re-
store it to it's place without Durandeau
even becoming the wiser of it. To COM
pensate you for the loss of such an
odd curiosity 1 will tell you its secret