The star. (Reynoldsville, Pa.) 1892-1946, 1906-09-12
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rid paper, and by the light of 4
suffering oil lamp and accompanied
by the twang of the guitar, he would
read the news of the day to his eager
listeners. One evening, while thus
engaged, leaning back in his oily
armchair, he suddenly came to a
halt and turned pale.
"Hei! What ails you, Simon?
What has happened?" the men cried
out simultaneously.
Simon recovered his self-posses-
sion in an instant.
Nothing, nothing at ALL" he an
swered. 81 got a bit dizzy. At any
rate l find nothing more of interest
in the papers" He rose, stretched
his arms and yawned. Frasquita was
standing on the front stoop getting a
breath of fresh air. Don Simon
stepped up to her and in an almost
affectionate tone said: "My dear
child, you should go inside; it is too
cool out here and you might catch
cold"
The b~ystanders looked aghast;
never before was Don Simon known
to speak in such terms to an inferior.
Frasquita was SO frightened she
thought she was having a fit of apo
plexy. She hurried to her room, but
ere she could open the door he had
caught up with her. Il have also
thought v the matter of your get
ting up so early in the morning;
hereafter you need not be at the shop
before 6; young people at your age
need Sleep" He re-entered the shop
and began to fold the newspaper
carefully. This was a sign that he
now wished to be alone. AS they
went out they cast significant glances
at each other, as if saying: 1--WE are
right; he is crazy. Had they seen
him a few minutes later as he
stepped under the light and unfolded
the paper they would have been o
than ever convinced that they were
right in their suspicious.
NO" he muttered; 1T is N err
ror. No. 5555 has won, and Fras-
quita is now in possession of 100000
francs. Who would have thought of
such a thing" He walked the room
in great agitation. his mind busily at
work Matching out a way by which
he could get at that fortune.
On entering the shop the follow
ing morning he found Frasquita at
work polishing the razors His face
was wreathed in smiles. my dear
child" he began, sit down by me
and let us have a chat. Six years
have you worked for me faithfully.
During that time l may, now and
then, have seemed a bit strict and
exacting, but this was done intention
ally; | wished to put you on proba-
ton. But this is over now"
1T lasted a pretty long time" in
terrupted Frasquita.
THAT may be, but since it is past
and gone we will no longer talk
about it. You see, my dear, during
these six years l have had ample OPP
portunities to study your many good
qualities. You are young while l
count 65; but l am still hale, hearty,
and am worth $4,000 francs, safely
invested, besides a business which, as
you know, is well patronized. In
other words, l want to marry you"
Frasquita felt the earth give way
under her at this unexpected pro-
posal. To be sure, $4,000 francs
seemed a fabulous sum; still there
Woo Joco u,bO uould cOon ooroo bocG
will you allow me n week to con-
slider the matter?"
"A whole week? Very well, ] con-
sent, but only under one condition,
and that is that you speak to no one
during that time. l fear outside in
%fluence. l would have you consent of
your W free will"
She kept her promise and spoke to
no one, but, since writing to any one
was not included in the agreement,
she forthwith dispatched a letter to
Jose, which brought the characters
tice response: Leave everything to
fate" This she did, and said YES"
and the wedding followed in a few
days. Don Simon insisted on a con-
tract being drawn up by which each
made the other sole heir of their re-
spective fortunes. After this trans
action Frasquita was fully convinced
that she was marrying a lunatic. She
smilingly signed the document, and
Don Simon affixed his signature.
That night, after the wedding guests
had departed, Don Simon asked in a
sort of careless way:
did you not buy a lottery ticket
some time ago, a No. 5555? What
did you do with it,"
What did / do with it?" she re-
peated. why, l did nothing with
it. l didn't buy it, and, what is
more, l lever had any intention Of
buying one. 1t was only a ruse to
get the 20 francs out of you, so I
could enjoy the Carnival"
What! You mean to say you
didn't buy the ticket? Thief! SWIM
dler! Liar!"
Don Simon stormed and ragged and
cursed until he fell in a fit. Being