The Elbert County tribune., 1913-07-18

inspectors story. all the marks OF one
OF those practical Jokes which begin
by amusing and end by enraging the
victims. The inspector. to curry favor
with M. Moncharmin. who was smil-
ing, thought 1t best to give smile
too. A most unfortunate smile! NJ
Richard giared at his subordinate.
who thenceforth made 1t his business
to display a face OF utter consterna-
ton.
However. when the people arrived
roared Richard, there was no one in
the box. was there7"
Not a soul, sir. not a soul! Nor
in the box on the right. nor In the
box on the left: not soul, sir.
swearj The box-keeper told it to me
often enough. which proves that It
was all a joke"
''Oh. you agree. do your" said Rich
ard. You agree! It's a joke! And
you think 1t funny, no doubt?"
II think 1t is very bad taste, SIR
And what did the box-keeper sayr
''Oh. she just said that 1t was the
opera ghost. That's all she said!"
And the inspector grinned- But he
soon found that he had made mis-
take in grinning. for the words had
no sooner left his mouth than M. Rich
ard. from gloomy. became furious.
Send for the box-keeper!" he shout
ed Send for her, This minute!
This minute. And bring her In to me
here. And turn all those people out"
The inspector tried to protest. but
Richard closed his mouth with an an
cry order to hold his tongue Then,
when the wretched mans lips seemed
shut for ever, the manager command
ed him to open them once more.
who is this opera ghost7'" he
snarled.
But the inspector was by this time
incapable of speaking a word. He
managed to convey. by a despairing
gesture. that he knew nothing about
II, or rather that he did not wish to
know.
Have you ever seen him; have you
seen the opera ghost?"
The inspector. by means OF a Wig
orous shake of the head. denied ever
having seen the ghost In question.
Very WE'LL" said Mr.. Richard cold
ly.
The Inspectors eyes started out of
his head. as though to ask why the
manager had uttered that ominous
Very well!"
Because I'm going to settle the ac-
count of any one who has not seen
him!" explained the manager AS
he seems to be everywhere, l can't
have people telling me that they see
him nowhere. like people to work
for me when l employ them,"
Having said this. M. Richard paid
no attention to the inspector and dis
cussed various matters of business
with his acting gmanager. who had EN-
tered the room meanwhile. The in
spector thought he could go and was
gently-oh. SO gently y!-sidling to
ward the door. when M. Richard
nailed the man to the floor with q
laundering:
Stay where you are!"
NJ Remy had sent for the box-keep-
er to the Rue de Provence, close to
the opera. where she was engaged as
pearance.
What's your name?"
Name Giry. You know me well
enough. cir; I'm the mother OF little
Giry. little Meg, what"
This was said in SO rough and sol
emn "a tone that. for moment. M.
Richard was impressed. He looked at
Name Giry, in her faded shawl. her
worn shoes, her old taffeta dress and
dfngy bonnet. 1t was quite evident
from the managers attitude. that he
either did not know or could not re-
member having met Name Giry. nor
even little Giry. nor even little Meg!"
But Name Giry's pride was SO great
that the celebrated box-keeper i'm
agined that everybody knew her.
CTo BE CoNTINUED)