Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1904-03-11

What is happening? Is there fire?
And even if there were, could you not
remember your duty more seemly than
this?"
Worse, worse than fire, Madame!
Worse than anything! The bank has
failed! The shares of the system are
going down! 'Tis said that we can
get but 5000 livres the share, perhaps
less-perhaps they will go down to
nothing. am ruined, ruined! We are
all ruined! And within a month I
was to have been married to the foot
man of the Marquis d 'Allouez, who has
bought himself a title this very week."
"And if it has fallen so ILL.," said
Lady Catharine, since have not spec
ulated in these things like most folk,
shall be none the worse for it, and
shall still have money to pay your
wages. So perhaps you can marry your
marquis after ALL"
But we shall not be rich, Madame!
We are ruined, ruined! Mon Dieu! we
poor folk! We had the hope to be
persons of quality TITS all the work
of this william Jean Las. May the
bastille get him, or the people, and
make him pay for this!"
Stop! Enough of this, Marie!" said
the Lady Catharine, sternly. after
this have better wisdom, and do not
NEEDLE in things which you do not
understand"
Yet scarce had the girl departed
before there appeared again the sound
Of running steps, and presently there
broke, equally unannounced, into the
presence of his mistress, the coach
man, fresh from his stables and none
too careful of his garb. Tears ran
down his cheeks. He flung out his
hands with gestures as of one de-
mented.
"The news!" cried he. 1.-THE news,
my lady! The horrible news! The
system has vanished, the shares are
going down."
Fellow, what do you here?" said
Lady Catharine. why do you come
with this same story which Marie has
just brought to me? Can you not
learn your place."
But, my lady, you do not under
stand!" reiterated the man blankly.
"'Tis all over. There is no Messasebe;
there is no longer any system, no
longer any Company of the Indies.
There is no longer wealth for the
stretching out of the hand. IT'S all
over. / must go back to horses-I,
Madame, who should presently have
associated with the nobility"
well, and if So" replied his mis-
tress, II can say to you, as I have to
Marie, that there will still be money
for your wages"
wages! My faith, what trifes, my
lady! This Monsieur Las, the d.
rector general, he it is who has ruined
us! Well enough it is that the square
in front of his-hotel is filled with peo-
pie! Presently they will break down
his doors. And then, pray God they
punish him for this that he has done!''
| The cheek of Lady Catharine paled
and sudden flush of contending emo.
tons crossed her mind. you do moi
tell me that Monsieur Las is in danger
Pierre?" said she.
/ @AoSNASoAy. SAi maps ll0 ScI y
hour they will tear down his doors and
rend him limb from limb. There is nc
punishment which can serve him right
him who has ruined our pretty, prett,
system. Mon Dieu! 1t was so beauti
full"
is this news certain?"
"Assuredly, most certain. VIII.
should it not be? The entire square IL
| front Of the Hotel de Scissor is packed
Unless my lady needs me. mysel
must hasten thither to aid in the pun
ishment of this Jean L'as!"
| "You will stay here" said Lad.
Catharine. "Wait! There may b
need! For the present. go!"
| Left alone, Lady Catharine stood TO
a moment pale and motionless. in tn
center of the room. She strobe the
to the window and looked fixedly Out
Her whole figure was tense, rigid
Yonder. over there, across the gable
roofs Of Paris, they were .clamoring Q
the door Of him who had given bac