The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1914-01-02

un1nSpecteu lOca1ty. Iak1ng, there
fore. the turn opposite the Mazarin
library, he speedily discovered on his
right hand the object of his search
and entered the shop. A few minutes
examination and question or two suf-
feed to convince him that his unlucky
star was still In the ascendant, and he
was about to resume his walk when
some broken pieces of china lying In
a corner caught his eye.
''What Is that?' he asked the dealer.
"What it is now. you see, NJ. lie
Baron, but what 1t was before my
shopman let it fall and smashed it to
bits you can have no idea. / never
saw a finer vase. real old Dresden,
worth a couple Of thousand francs II
1t was worth a sou. They say it once
belonged to Nine. du Barry"
"Ahr' said the baron, looking atten-
lively at the heap Of fragments and
pohng at them with his cane. 'Can-
not 1t be repaired2"
Impossible. monsieur" replied the
other 1.-THE cleverest workman In
France could make nothing Of 1t now"
what are you going to do with the
piecesY' inquired M. de Croix-Martel,
in whose fertile brain a "happy
thought" was gradually terminating.
what can | do but throw them
away?" growled the irate tradesman.
evil you sell them to me for
francs?"
Certainly, monsieur, If you desire
it. But what possible USE
"Never mind" interrupted the baron:
that's my affair, Now listen. What
want you to do is this You will
pack up these pieces just as they are,
mind, put this card of mine with them
and send the parcel this evening, from
8 to half past. to Nine. Ia Comtesse
de Franchimont, GA Rue de Marignan
1t is not to be taken upstairs. but left
with the concierge. Understand"
"Perfectly, NJ. lie Baron" answered
the owner Of the bric-a-brac shop. /
glancing at the card as he spoke "Al
shall be done exactly as you wish"
II can quite depend upon your
quite, NJ lie Baron. At $50 to the
moment it shall be delivered"
"Enfinw said NJ de Croix- Martel TO /
himself as he walked briskly home
ward. "A most brilliant inspiration,
ma parole For 5 francs | shall have
the credit Of a present worthy Of a
millionaire The fellow who brings it
will naturally be supposed to have let
it drop on the way-the Champs Ely
sees are always slippery in frosty /
weather-and to have bolted in order
to avoid unpleasant inquiries, When
the parcel arrives | shall be there. and
as no one knows where bought it
can storm away at my ease without
fear of discovery"
PunctuaIly at five minutes before 8
O'Clock the baron rang the first door
bell at GA Rue de Marignan and was
ushered into the drawing
room, where the three ladies were as
sembled. Nine de Franchimont. seat
ed by the fire was occupied with some
intricate marvel of embroidery, while
her daughters were busily employed in
on table in the center OF
the apartment a variety of bonbon
boxes and other objects strongly indie
alive of New Years day, which had
evidently just arrived.
Look here. NJ. lie Baron" said
Berthe as he entered the room. "See
what number of presents we have
already received-a lapis lazui paper
cutter and such beautiful flower
stand near the Window
"And a delicious fligree cardcase,"
chimed in Louise. holding up the OBJ
ject In question for the inspection of
the visitor.
Charming indeed" responded M. de
Croix- Martel looking more admirtngly
at the speaker than at the cardcase.
"There, that will do, girls" inter
posed her mother, after shaking hands
with her guest "Come and sit by the
fire, baron. and Berthe will give you
some tea
u trust" he replied that when my
humble offering arrives you will be
ahem!--equally indulgent,'
mo follies, hope, baron" said
Nine. de Franchimont, shaking her
head reprovingly.
"Oh madame. mere tlifle, | assure
you" answered our hero in deprecGt-
ing tone. accompanied, however, by a
significant twir of his mustache. But
you will see-you will see"
At that moment the door opened and
the maitre d'hotel appeared bearing a
parcel, which he solemnly
placed on the table, and with the ex-
Olanatory announcement For Nine.
"a Comtesse." withdrew as noiselessly
rs he had entered
81 wonder what it ISL cried Berthe.
Give me your scissors, Louise"
What a strangely shaped parcel!'
remarked Nine. de FTanchimont rising
rom her chair and approaching the
able. while thesbaron, laying down his
up, was preparing himself for an out
BURST OF indignation. or. in other words.
was getting the steam up.
"Ah. here Ia card. exclaimed
Nile. Berthe as she hastily tore away
he last obstacle to the qualification OF
Ter curiosity. m. lie Baron! knew
/ could be no one else. Mon Dieu!
What can this be?"