Year: 1871

1t is fortunate circumstance that Of
fers not on duty wear mutt. otherwise
two gallant gentlemen would have cut
each others throats on Monday, all in
consequence of a pink slipper. Baron
de T-is very jolly bachelor, by no
means sworn brother of the Order OF
Malta, and although not a professional
Don Juan, still with certain reputation
for success among the ladies of the capi-
tai.


His intimate friend, Count de P,
on the contrary. has the name Of being
a most devoted husband, although his
wife's beauty is so great that there is
little merit in his constancy. Notwith
standing this great difference in charac
ter and taste, these two gentlemen have
long been inseparable, Madame P al
ways taking up the cudgel in behalf o.
her husbands 8 friend whenever he was
attacked too warmly in her presence, and
the Baron often remarking that he would
ranger himself as soon as he could find
some one as lovely as the Countess.


Both of these gentlemen belong tt
the staff of French Marshall, who
went to the front on Wednesday, and two
days before P went to T-'i
lodgings on business connected with theil
campaigning arrangements. There was
some little delay in answering his. ring
and az he entered the drawing-ro0m be
heard the rustic of silk dress as the op
po.ite door was closed. Rather accus-
toned to such episodes at his friend Z
rooms, P-excused himself for this in
trusion, and was about withdraw, when
suddenly his glance fell upon a tiny
pink slipper lying close to the parlol
door, which had evidently been dropped
by the fair visitor in her precipitate fight
Hastily springing forward he snatched il
from the floor, anc, with horror, saw
not only the name Of his wife's shoe
maker, but also his own monogram.


Madame de P--is in your room,
he exclaimed, in a paroxism Of jealous
rage. sli.


You are mad T. answered II
give you my word and honor as a gent
leman, that she has never crossed my
threshold had she been here, most GER
tainly you would not have been permit
ted TO enter" The Count, however,
would not be convinced, and with the
accusing slipper in his hand insisted up
on being confronted with the lady who
was in the inner room. Of course, the
Baron said he would die before he per-
mitted this, and finally his visitor left the
house, swearing that "blood alone could
wash out the outrage" ect,. etc.


Jumping into his carriage, Monsieur
de P drove home rapidly, and burst
like mad bull into his wife's boudoir.
where the lady was making up some lint
for the patriotic association.


Where have you been? ?" he shouted
as he came in.


IL think you had better answer that
question:" she replied very quietly. Il
have not left the house to day, while you
rush in here like lunatic."


And then after a moments silence ;
But what are you doing with my slip
per? Give it to me at once" You are
crumpling it up. SO that I shall not be
able to wear it."


DO you confess that it is yours, mad
ame?"


"Most certainly, and wish You would
not twist it about so horribly"


"very well, madam; 1 found it Al
your lovers" -


my lover'sl Decidedly. mon ami,
you are i'll. Shall l send for the doctor r


Il do not joke. Madame; I found it a,
Monsieur de rs, where doubtedlesa
its fellow is at present." The Countess