Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1917-06-15
The
BIZ BURTON e. STEVENSON
II will attend to it. And you,
giys?" asked Brisson.
"It is our intention to walk"
tBy way of the Cornice9"

40 S0A0N LII A0oOAhs
"It is our intention to walk"
by way of the Cornicei"
yes"
"You will find it a most. beau
tiful road; even in your own
America you will find nothing
more beautiful. And how fortu-
nate that you will have so fine a
day! Where will you rest to-
night?"
"At Freius, probably"
"a beautiful town, we'll worth
a visit. Permit me to recommend
| you, sirs, that you stop at the
Hotel du Midi. The proprietor is
a relative of mine-a nephew, in
fact; he will treat you WE'LL"
"Thank you," responded the
stranger, and at hat moment
Madame Brisson entered, flushed
but triumphant, bearing a tray on
which was a small pitcher of very
black coffee, "a large pitcher Of
very hot milk, a plate of rolls and
"crescents," some pats of but
ter and a jar of honey. She placed
the tray upon the table, greeted
the travellers with the brightest of
smiles, and then, as she fitted
about attending to their wants, M.
Brisson retired to his bureau to
put the finishing touches to the
bill.
This was a weighty business. 1t
was not often that the little Hotel
du Nord had the privilege of en-
tcrtaining guests from America,
and NJ. Brisson was thriftily deter
mined TO make the most of it. The
price OF. the room, unfortunately,
had been agreed upon in advance;
but there we're the meals, and,
above all, the extras-baggage,
lights, attendance, one special
breakfast at five O'Clock = one
must be paid for rising i'm the mid
die of the night !-confitures, bath
had there been a bath? No mat
ter! Wine, cigars-M. Brisson
licked his lips as he put them all
III. Then he made a mistake of five
francs in the addition, and the
thing was done. He contemplated
it for a moment with satisfaction,
then folded it, slipped it into his
pocket, and returned to the
breakfast room.
His guests were just rising from
the table, and a glance told him
that they had done but scant JUS
tice to the meal-fully half the
rolls remained uneaten! They
were in haste, then; SO much the
better! He assisted them to ad-
just their k%napsacks.
And now the bill," said one
of them, taking out his purse.
M. Brisson presented it with a
bow. The other took it glanced
at the total, and his face flushed.
He opened his lips to speak,
closed them again, and his eyes
ran up the column of figures. The
flush deepened, and he opened his
lips; but when he met Brisson's
ferret-like gaze, he again closed
them: Without a word, he ex-
tracted from his pursesa note for
100 francs and placed it in Bris-
sons hand.
You may keep the change" he
said.
"Oh, thanks, sir!" Brisson
cried, and he bowed again to hide
the triumphant smile upon his
lips. Many thanks! A pleasant
journey! And when you come
again to Toulon, remember the
Hotel du Nord!"
The other nodded glumly, and
started for the door, followed by
his companion. Brisson and his
wife accompanied them, again
babe them adieu, and stood for a
moment watching them, as they
went down the street in the direc-
ton of the quays.
"a hundred francs!' said Mad
anne Brisson, and gazed with
v%eneration at her lord and mas
ter. i"But what was your bill,
then, Aristide!"
"Ninety-Gx francs" said Bris-
son, sourly, land, for a moment, I
thought the swine was going TO
protest i'll"