Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-04-10

Couldn't De better, sir; couldn't
be better"
"Ah, we are delighted. Look
here. Nine. CRY" said Richard, in
the tone OF making an important con-
fidence. I'VE may just as well tell
you, among ourselves you're
no fool"
"Why, sir" exclaimed the box-keep-
er, stepping the pleasant nodding of
the black feathers IN her dingy bon
net, 81 assure you no one has ever
doubted that"
I'VE are quite agreed and we shall
soon understand one another. The
story of the ghost is all humbug. isn't
ite Well, still between our
selves, 1t has lasted long
enough"
Nine. CRY looked at the managers
as though they were talking Chinese.
She walked up to Richards table and
asked, rather anxiously:
What do you mean? I don't un-
derstand."
"Oh, you understand quite well. In
any case, you've got to understand.
And, first Of all, tell US his
name"
Whose name?"
1.-The name of the man whose &C
eomplice you are, Nine. Giry!"
81 am the ghosts accompnce? II
! His accomplish in what,
J pray?" -....
L.
"Oh! He's not very troublesome,
you know"
And does he still tip your"
'1 mustn't complain
"How much does he give you for
bringing him that envelope?"
Ten francs"
You poor thing! That's not much
is it?"
"Why?"
I'll tell you that presently, Nine
Giry. Just now We should like tc
know for what extraordinary reason
you have given yourself body and sou
to this ghost Nine. Giry's
friendship and devotion are not to b.
bought for five francs or ten francs
That's true enough. And
can tell you the reason, sir. There's
no disgrace about 1t. on thu
contrary"
We're quite sure of that Nine
Giry!"
We'll, it's like this onl.
the ghost doesn't like me to tall
about his business"
"Indeed?" sneered Richard.
But this is a matter that concerns
myself alone. =. Well, it was IL
Box Five one evening, found a let
: ter addressed to myself, a sort of not,
written in red ink. needn't read tn
letter to you, sir; / know it by heart
and 1 shall never forget it if l live t
be a hundred"
And Nine. CRY, drawing herself ur
recited the letter with touching elc
: quence:
/ Madam:
. 1925. Mile. Menetrier. leader Of the bal
let. became MarQuise de Cussy.
1892 Mile. Marie Taglioni. q dancer. be
came Comtesse Gilbert des Voisins.
? 1876 La Sofa. a dancer married
brother of the King of Spain.
1S47. Lola Monies, a dancer became tn
morganatic wife sof King Louis OF Ba
! varia and was created Countess of Lands
= field
1913 Mile. Maria. a dancer, becam
Baronne d'Hernevile
3, 1870 Theresa Eessier. a dancer, Marie
> Dom Fernando, brother to the King O
Portugal
Richard and Moncharmin listene
to the old woman, who, as she prC
, glorious nuptials, swelled out, too
courage and, at last, in a voice burs
? ing with pride, flung oUt the last sci
: tence of the prophetic letter:
1855. Meg CRY, Empress!
Exhausted by this supreme effor
t the box-keeper fell into a chair, sa!
| ing:
Gentlemen, the letter was signed
y Opera Ghost l had heard much {
, the ghost, but only half believed i
him. From the day when he declare
r that my little Meg, the flesh OF m
Z flesh, the fruit of my womb, would b
b. empress, believed in him altogether
: And really it was not necessary
\ make long study OF Nine. Giry's e,
D cited features to understand whs
could be got out of that fine intelIeC
q with the two words ghost" and Zen
press"
a But who pulled the strings OF ths
extraordinary puppet? That was tn
J, | question.
= You have never seen him;
speaks to you and you believe all
says?" asked Moncharmin.
Yes. To begin with, owe it
him that my little Meg was promote
| to be the leader of row. / said