The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

THE EMPRESS OF AN HOUR There is nowa profound silence in the apgrtment. A. â€" n IL. n4l_n‘u ___j_L- 2..-... - "‘Madame leka Orlafi," read: be from a slip of paper in his band. Zalka rises and inciinee her head. “What can I do for you, Monsieur ?" “Come with me at once,” replies the man mpointly. A _ Several of the men start forward, and again these ladiee begin their pretty screams. “Thanks, Maeeicurs,” she says, warning them baa}: with dignity. “Yes, Madame, it is here" (the oflioer presents her with the paper). dea eagerly scans it. “Ahaâ€"very well I Monsieur, there is {our warrant. I refuse to go 1" She folds er arms a._n_d _looks upon the ground. “we 5 "By the order of M. Duoreh himself, Your Majesty.” "And the charge 2" " Conspiracy against the life of the Em- peror of France I ‘ answers hhe officer, pom- pously reading from his paper. There is an instant of terrible silence. The 58.08 of Louis Napoleon is sh this moment such a. chaos of conflicting emotions as cold hive astounded those who accused ito immobility. _ . pawn __A.L.... _“Ydu Hus dougtlega & warrant) for my art-egg, Mopajcur 2"_ “Then, Madame, ii become; necessary to force youâ€"" “Stop.” The Emperor steps from the shadow of the curtains, where he has been standing, and utter-a the word in a. voice that in not to be misunderatc od. ‘uv u..-__u-_v._ “From whom; do you come? By whose or- der 1” II, In lmmvuuu: . His eyes glowed like coals of fire as they flashed under his contracting brows upon the young Russian. His lips quivered with ‘ ‘ r A .__:‘_L n... 4. .“umiaa n5 “ Ah, Your Majestyâ€"the arrest of Mme. Orlofi becomes the lust painful duty I have this night; to see carried out). The others are under irons already. B y met-us of papers (mud on the persons of the chief conspira- torsâ€"nowâ€"within the hour I" Monsieur Duel-at glances picturesquer at the clock In the cornerâ€"“ It is discovered that Mme. Urlofi" was in daily communication with these wretches~thet it was she who furnish- ed them with the exact hour at which Your Majesty might be expected to leave her house oufiour way to the State ball at the palace," Monsieur .Ducret pauses for breath and to indulge in the purdoneble gratification which the amezemenu of his auditors nflorde him. J"'-V‘l complies: the exact spot on the corner of the Rue de Rivoll, at which they should lie in wait to assassinate the Emperor of France!" ‘ " This Majesty tache. with“ it was sheâ€"even she lâ€"Your Ma- jesty,__who fuggestgd to her abaminable ac- ", ,A J AL A “All, Your Msjsaty! Surel} it is Giant l” “You are quite sure, M. Dncmt, that there is nothingâ€"no incident which you have omitted in the rehearsal of this plot ‘3” “I am sureâ€"positive. Your Majesty l” “Ahâ€"wary well I" Loni: Napoleon approaches the latter and holding the warrant lightly, he set: it on fire at the flame of one of the tall candles. “But, Your Majestyâ€"this woman '3" “ This womanâ€"well 2" His Majesty re- peats, coldly, watching the bit of paper within- into a flimsy ash. “This womnn is dungeronsâ€"criminal I" Monsieur Ducrsu is becoming very much excited. "Surely Your Majesty will not en- danger alife that is dear to millions of Frenchmen for the sake of â€"â€"- 2" Monsieur Duel-at pauses. In fifpéaifion and with the present unr- roundings Monsieur Dumu’a command over luggage _may go n9 furth‘er. ,A,AL_ LL- 111.. “ For the sake of 2" repeat: the Em- peror ioily. turning from the table and brushing & fleck of the burned paper from his sleeve Lonchalantly. “ Pardon l pardon I Your Majnlty, but I have your Majesty's own recommendation regarding Madame Orlofi. It in here I The dateâ€"almost four years since." Monsieur Ducraa hastily takes a note book from his inner pocket and reads :â€"“ Zuluâ€"Russian CHAPTER VII. is all, Monsieur Ducrat 2" inquires, still stroking his BY FANNIE AYMAR MATHEWS. Sufi- His muav â€" Quarcier Latin 3 resemblanwâ€"ahem l journalist has in his possession, kc” 8m M. de Morny taken a. step forward and Ventures to whisper a word or two to uhe Emperor. In in as if he had not: spoken, "Thank you. Monsieur Deon-t," the Em- peror says. “You have nothing more to tell me of this nfl'alr. I presume?" “No, Your Majesty," in the reply. “There is time if you have, for 1 shill not go to the ball to-nighh." "No your Majeshy." Monsieur Dwrnt's eyes are greedly fixed upon lekm What a morsel to eampe they hand of justice I “Very well, Monsieur. I then have someâ€" thing to any to yon. Appreciating to the full the extraordinary exertions which you have made on my behalf, I am disposed to lay at the door of fatigue the defeat in your memory which has caused you to omit: my menuion in your recital of a letter which you received only this ntbernoon 1" His Mnjoety emphuizea these last three words in no singular a manner that M. Dnerat- fairly starts. - - . .. L. ,3... -x HUBI W “For the benefit of these. therrieneis of; Madame Oriofl, I must be at the trouble of ‘ repairing your deficiencies. It is this than. At three o’clock this afternoon our good friend Monsieur Duorat, being in his office immersed in affairs. receives an anonymous: note, signed ‘Ami Louie.’ It runsthus:â€"- I 'To-night at the corner oi the Rue do Rivoii and the Place de la Concorde. {our menâ€"â€"one in a. blouse, two shabby, one as a cab driver. They have for their object the assassination of the Emperor as he is en route to the Tuiieries, after visiting a. certain house in“ the Avenue de Viiiers. The piotflms been months in prepurstion. The time and place are decided upon oniy within- the last twelve hours !’ " i. leulw . A hum of intense excited interest quivers through the apartment. “Monsieur Dumt, who wrote that let- “ I do not know, Your Majesty." The voice of Monsieur Dnorab ls subdued. “ X on have in I” “ Yes, Your Majesty. “ I would thank you to permit me to see ‘ it." It: was curious to note that at this crisis the Emperor's face for the first: time betray ed a. faint emotion. It was perhaps possible that he feared that this letter mighv not be forthcoming. Neversheless, in a second it was in his possession. And turning with a smile of rare courtesy .to Zalka he said :â€" w Lu"-.. â€". __._._ . “ Perhaps Monsieur Duct-st would care to know the name oi the person who wrote this letter 1" i “ 0h. Your Majesty l" ‘ “ Zalke. Orlefi,” the Emperor ej souls-tee sharply. “ You see. Dues-en. there is e loy- slty which is not to be counted by so msnv francs a year and which risks life itself and cells is by no such title as the ‘grestest per~ tiueoity. Good evening, Monsieur I" The Emperor turns away sud amid the joyful exclamation oi the sssembled group inka sinks into assent. unna- u. _. ..__~ _ , “ What can I do for youâ€"one thing, and that is lay my commands upon yonâ€"madam- oieelle? I will permlt no more rinks, even,” he whispers, “ for my sake." And aloud, “ Can I create you on the spot: Comtesse journalist. Z 9.1ka shake: her head. “No, ami Louis. You gave me the maumis quart d‘heure in advance ; it: in all that I ask 1" Wr'v ‘o-fifinlg. Am I so poof, than. that I hue gotbing that; is worthy of your accept- “08 Y "we. _ .. -__ m, ,, _ _ The guests are now amusing themselves with the fragments of their Into an per, and some fresh bottles of wine, which onsleur Alexandre has seen fit to order. “ You refused it once.” Napoleon smiles. “ Ah, that was gold. I do not: like goldâ€" it: is what we pay our debts with. Monsieur Louis owes me nothingâ€":â€"” ” But his life I You shall have the par train.” “ Thank you." She raises her lovely eyes to his face. “ Why did you do it 2" “ “’hat 2" “ Risk so much for me." “ I have risked ‘ so much‘ for you for five years and more." 24133 looks down. “Bue why ‘3" His Majesty's clear piercing evesAnre intent upon her face“ 1.1, M‘TAh. it is not that. Stay! Yea, one thi_n_g. I will ask for your Roth-sic." "Because," ah‘e murmurs iuerticulstely, “because 1â€"1 am your Msjesty'e moan loyal subject 1" Never before had she so addressed him. With one long pressure of her two hands Napoleon, with De Murny, shorny afterward qnjgned the house. ..r '1‘- u,:,,: ri‘lot niinyâ€"évééfis lather Zalka received and accepted a small and exquisite cameo likeness of the Emperor. It was tea with diamond: in a frame of chased gold. -___-._ “7-... And in now lies neglected, half hidden by 5 little poruralu of a Malntenon, in the dusty case of one of the moat noted collections of miniatures in Paris. 7' bhe' hi the éfiménda is missing, and it is likewise true that: the golden frame is slightly ha stared. It in tower three o'clock of a beautiful dag the early;umzpe_r_._ Paris Wears her holiday aspect. and it is evident tint something unusual in trans. piring. Quite true. The Court is about to set out for St. Cloud, and all about: the Tnileriee there is the her- monious coniuaion of soldiers, eqnerriea duh ing to and fro, officers raining In their reative horses, snbres flashing in the sunshine. low murmur: of curiositlv and imputience. strains of music. the crush of an expectant and eager crowd and the bewildering, surging away and play of Paris bent on witnessing one of the nighmfiear to her heai't. Mfii‘tfilfifiifihé 139.1306 grooms and gentlemen are_ raping abopo him-Aer n_nd climbers V'Tfié Spén Earrings await: their majestic: at the entrance. V“ St. Sauveur I" murmurs bhe witty young BEFIEEQ {affine apartments of the Eu:- ,1) CHAPTER VIII. prose everything is quietâ€"quiet almoeh to a sense of oppression. Eugenie is alone. She siteâ€"true daughter of the universal mother, before the long mirror, which re- flects her graceful figure and its graceful Presently the curtains put and in en in- stant {om together again behind the favor. ice sch-ens of Peril. Z.lke stands in the presence of the Km- press, in the pretence of the women to whom she bears so strange and 39th3 a. re- semblance. pose. She listens, for her head is bent and her hand is pressed against her heart, while the lovely, languid eyes are fixed upon one of the portiurea that lead into the adjoining room of the mine. Contrary to etiquetbeâ€"buh, rchance, etiquette had after all‘bub amsl affair in this meetipgfthe gnlgjecn Spoke first. 1. __ ‘.-_- “Your MBjrfifiy,” 313's ma, in slow none, “has done me the honor to send for me- Can I serve Your Majesty in any way?" Eugenie rises involuntarily. there was a sweet impuriousnesa in Zhlka‘a voice that compelled a deference from any one.. Buo also an once Her Modesty resented heraelfl with half a. smile and no" a frown. “Yea, Madame, I have sent for you to see youâ€"alas! not shut I have not seen you many times. Itudied your every motion amt expression.” Zilka bows. “But,” Her Majesty with an; impetuous and terrible sigh, rises and crosses the room. “But, mon Dieu I Madame, I wished to “But, man Dian I Madame, I wished to see you face to face 1" leka again inclines her head». “Not then,” continues Eugmie, passion- ately, “with the flare of the footlighm light- ing up the beauty they any is so like my own, but. to see you as he sees youâ€"in the sunshine, in the daylightâ€"as he sees ysu, do you bear f" “Yes. Your Majesty. Bah of whom (lees Your Majesty speak ?" The Empress turned toward the Window and as hapfily withdraws her gaze. A x -12.. 09:; fiwfifitéé'EfiJ‘fiisiaâ€"éi fight: and glit- er on the memenuis offensive 00 her beauti- ful gayes - - L, LL- ‘AL She takes a few' steps nearer to the act- ‘ res», and then sinking upon a chair nhe ex, caime, in a broken voloe :â€" “ Of my husband, Madame." Z xlke stem. “ Of my husband," cries the women med- ly. “I wanted to see the face then has rob- bed me of his smiles, his lips, his looks. 0h, Madame, you have Paris on your tech, the world is ready to do you homage, go where you will. Can you not leave to Eugenie the heart of Louis Napoleon! I plead with 151011! I_beg of you 1" 1 e ,,,1_ ‘___ IA_L JV... . - wv Her Majgsby'sisii-gl'ub, long hands are lock ed tightly together, and the term: are dim mingjhe ggfq lugtrgof the wonderful eyes: ,A_d__ .__.....-_ “TRIBE;- $157!” cries the actress pksaion a15er ; “ Your Majosty labors under a. min t7th I have rohbgd Yoqr Majesty'og nobh‘ u...“ Auwvy-â€"â€"~~_ _ lugâ€"nothing! What: do you think that Zslka. could do with the heart of another woman's husbmd? Your Majesty, we have a little proverb in my country; it is this :- ‘sha who meddles with the husband of a loyal wife burns her soul.‘ Will Your Mu- js-sty gracioule permlt me to revire 1" ,M J..,_..._ “n 3â€" an or, "J r The young Russian is drawn up in an at. titude of strange hauteur. One looking might say that. she was the Empress, and that the woman who gaze i upon her with an expression of mingled admkafion and amaze- ment: was the inferior in rank: , A-_-_-â€"L menu new qu an... .-- ._ _ For an instant Eugenie niade no movemeng nor any response. Then she spoke slowly :â€" " You mean to tell me obat you do not love_ 9119 Enlperot 2’; . u, H, n__u_:_.. "Your Mal]: any, I mean to tell you nothing whatever about my love. I am the keeper Of my own heart,” Zalka. says, with a and and bitter emphasis. “I believe the Emper- or Will {7911 you as much." v 7 LL. __.Ll-,.. "And what: of him I” cries the reckless and unhappy wife of Napoleon III. “What of his love, his heart? What can you say to me of that? I implore you, I implore you 1" she cries. sinking among the cushions of the lounge, while sobs shake the slender frame. “ Ah 1 Your Majesty must surely be the keeper of the Emperor’s heart. Why do you come to me for intormstion of such a nature? Your Majesty will pardon me if I remind you that actresses are the toys"â€" the splendid Northern eyes dilate with pride and passion as she speaksâ€"“the toys of monarchs, and playthings of a pcblic that, through us, can take pleasure in sitting by and watching the dissection of their own choicest emotions. Your Majesty should know that with hearts and love and homes and firesides people of my trade have little to do. We toil, Madame, in sweat that you may be amused and that we may be fed. The Emperor‘s {1 more are no sweeter, to my thinking, Your Majesty, than any others, and as to his admiration, why, surely the ruler of France could not quarrel with the verdict of his own Paris.” Zilks laughed lightly, showing her White teeth very Qgettily, courtesles and takes a step toward t e portiere, but a motion of the Empress' hand arrests her. “ You are very clever, Mademoiselle Z alka," Eugenle says, “ but the Empress is as clever 3.3 you are. Mettexnich and Bia- marck are clever too. but they have not: been, so far, able to deceive me.” 'J.c.AL VThe bone ivsvbrave, Vfléughty, evenldefianh, and the Empress raises her lovely golden hefd pgoud}y. L A“ : _ A L . _ _ . .1 W:A-L uwu run-nu: . But) then in an instant all is changed. With a sob of agony she staggers across the room and falls almoat {singing up phe gaffe”: feet ‘1‘011 I " cries elk; Uhrouugh fast falling tears, “why then, since you say he does not: flow yoq, r<_!_o you wear upon your bosom hiapot- Emit!” ulnw; The cameo has fallen from between the sheltering folds of Zilka's robe. “Your Msjes ," returns the Russian, with Inimitable m: roid, “ that was the Em- peror’s gift: to me, who saved his life." “And if you care nothing for him why does his_imsge bang about your heart?" 7 A I__-I ._.Ll._..s 'a' - --. r . "Your Majesty, listen. I am aloyalanbjecn. France has none too many such in these days." The Russian speaks hurriedly and low, perchance she mficrs, for she presses her hand to her hem. and the cough that'ia such a natural feature with her Muguertie Gm- tier for a moment oonvnjsep he_r. "v. xv. .- mvm--- -e, “ Your Majesty, the Rhine is rising ; it will overflow its banks and rush tum France. Mark my words, there in disaster in the air. I feel in 1” She smitea her breast. A nun .u n .4..- ....__--_ w“ , " In Berlin they are already pmtzing of a new empire, and in AIM-Lorraine children CHAPTER IX. tremble as they hear the distant hum and roar of an army. I 3111 a- loyal servant and Egbjecjin‘ the Boqugrt? _ dzugfiy_wm}y You'n' Majesty cannot-find fan'lt if fwearrth'e Cz Er'a iinugine as my Fudge of fidelityt" r r The Emfiress regs-rd: {Be womm' beta“, her with incredulous eves. Is she than some splendid prophebeaa, this golden-haired girl, Wifh her clear eyes and quivering lips? Ia itâ€"can it be, that these rumors are only rumors? mNo; Eugenia is a €vomnn and muons from the feelingsâ€"A No ; dea la a woman, therefore her fidelity is to her heart and not to her head. She turns like one demented, wringing her hands, subbing. pwing up and down the room. “ Biw. Madame. You are an Empress: command me to be burned at the stake. 1‘ do not know," she adds glacmilv, “that I ahould not tbsnk you {91: in." “ You are I aorcerese 1" cries the Empress madlv. “7' {aging-$5,?" whispers Eugenie with concentnbgd anguish. . .. .u . . “ 4:31;“â€" ;fien 2" cries the other, goaded to degpention._ :- .I W.- AA; A,,,, “ HZ'E‘QLH than have first loved yam for you are not: the woman to have glven unâ€" sought.” m u . WWW. “What then?" murmurs the Russian, in a voice of hyperfine impatience. u ‘, ‘V‘Suddeniyfrgithout is heard the lound‘ofi npgropohizgg'fqotabepsl._ , AL‘ -L_.1__. .: LLA "’i;IE;';L?inxa within the shadow of the curtains. It is impossible to intrude upon the psi,- Vaoy of the Empress whose commands have been “rice. bun In is quite possible for an equen‘y to boldly impart: the information to the lediae in waiting and for them tau loudly echo it, that the Emperor impatient- ly awaits tee eppearance of the‘Einpressx ‘ . "1L ‘ 3-: mL‘L " “Whatshall 1 do? What can I am What is to become of ma?"excla.ima ohm Enpresa, frantically, as with a gesture of dismir she catches sight in one of the great minors of her tear arained face, her dishevelled hair, ea disordered main. _ "I'fwbuld take at least an hour to restore her agpeamnoa to its usual caflu'n u. “v. -r‘ ,, And to, appear before Paris in this guise is amoqu_the_gosilciy_e ingpoaaibilibiea. "A sudden illness," cries sheI after a mom- ent‘s pause, falling book amid the cushions of a luxurious fsutenil and catching up a silver smelling bottle. “ The Parisians are in no mood, permit me to remind Your Maesty," Zsika says timidly, emerging from her retirement, “for a sudden illness. They will not fall in love with a disappointment to their fete loving‘ senses. It were more wise for Your Majesty to devise some plan for their better amusement than to chest them 05 their ex- pected pageant. The Empire winsa victory by everv royal progress that itmskes." The girl's Voice fairly tremble: as she speaks, and in her eagerness she has ap proached Eugenie very closely. ‘ A_.I -_ _L.\ 1...... I" =’*’ u u The latter glances up, and as she does} so her eyes fell upon the reflection in the looking glass oi her own and the act- ress‘ face. ‘ “ It is impossible for me, mademolselle,” cries she, rising. “ but youâ€"you are used to pinyin parts. We are alike. do you not see! on can, if you will, save me from the Emperor’s displeasure and the odium of the peopleâ€"do vou nor see and understand, madame? I will make it worth your while. Seel We are of the same height! This ‘robe l" The Empress picks up a dress of pale mauve Sabin which lies ready for her use in the adjoining dressing room. 3 Lus 1' _-...<:_- uuc l|n| yuv D'JJUIHIHB â€" ..... _B V “Your Majesw is very good, but I require no reward. A: Your Majesty is pleased to any. I am ‘used to playing parts’ and to serve hhe E'npire," (anka speaks with a grand enthusiasm) “ I am willing to appear in a new role am even so short a. notice. Your Majnsty will direct me.” In a few moments and with fewer words the Russian is invested with the splendid costume that had been designed for the Em- preea' wear on the drive to‘Sb. Cloud. ,u, ¢L- r.CV[‘~tle'fin;\'1-lhlve3;si;él;ei,i the lame mantle, the bonnet with its delicate plumes, the amethyst jewels, the fan of long violet feathers, the boobs. With a dexterous hand she arranges her golden 1115i: in the mode affected by Eugenia. She pencils her brow: and dashes her lips and cheeks with the rouge that He: Majasvy was of late aeldom seen without. She [ins the thin, small masque veil across her face and then turns toward her counter- part7. “Is Your Majesty pleasedâ€"suited 2" “Ah I" cries the lmpetuous women, “it is perfect !" “Now, Your M,jesty, what: is my cue 2" By this the noise and confusion without has grown greater. 1 2",",LL..-‘ -_- :â€" LL- “’i‘geva‘t‘i; of impatience are in the air. an. "I rely upon you," Whispers the Empress, “although Heaven know3 Why I and you are to be with himâ€"ah, What: have I done 1 I am crazed l Iâ€"you mmm not yoâ€"Iâ€"” n, "Your Majesty may rely upon me. Be “the theatre at: eight: o'clock. You will find dea there. 1 save you mortification, diagramâ€"perhaps aomething even more serious. Your Majesty has more to hope thnnto fear.” There is a splendid light in the northern eyesâ€"a splendid light of enthusiasm and purity, of devotion and loyalty that: the southern born woman who listens cannot: understand, but still instinctively relies 119012!° . . . ,,) ,,.o q Begween mingled prayers, entreetiea and soba, the Empress shrinks beck into the inner boudoir ; and the actress, with box- head erect, steps out: into the auditorium, amid the ladies and people in waiting. Once visible the' 31:68-12 throataf Paris cheer: itself hoarse over her. In is "remarked that even the Emperor half turns his haughty head to look at her au_th9y pass up thg C_b9mps Elyaegs. _ rhfiévér," thev say, “has the Empress been so exquisite, so animated, so conde- acgnQing." In is even remarked by a casual onlooxer that as he speaks to her he seems almost moved and that a deep flush overspreada his face. But: this may be but the outcome vivid imagination on the part of casual onlooker. 7 However, once well past: Boulogue it; is quite true that his Majesty spoke with some {gimmicme the lady at_t_1is aide. “de3," whispers Louis Napoleon, “I have dreamed of this hour, and it has come. Tell me that my star in not a faithnt one. Ihnve desired nothing that has not been mine sooner or later.” gamma 2; ofa. “Your-M9139“)? is fortunate," mnmnns aha Already he 1139 list sued to the story. of the hour just passed, I did thus. side by side, these two make their 1 vrogreu flhe palace of St. Cloud. ‘ leks, whvyaid yo I: constant to thia?"ho asks. regud'ing her “I :emivoly. “For the goodofyo‘ u- empire, ami Innisr “You love my empire, uhen I" “As my life," she answers in x» 10w tone. Zil‘kA‘x’mâ€"l’ 5min d‘ezt moiâ€"eh, chknr . a. ' His hand, for; wayward instant, closes over that one of hen what: lies almost hid- ‘deg in- the folds of her Ina-3619. For an instant, while sweet» mueic.»p13ya, . while men and woman and little childrenn about them-a welcomeâ€"while flowers archn above their heads, and while the twilight. brenze, fresh off the oerhmlng fields, blown upon them, Louis Nupeleon Is a. weak md loving mu. as other mm. mm, a woman. moved so a sad uplifting of' her blag eyes, am that women. The col-begs has reached-the palace. _ Lights flit hither am} thinher about the- gardene. The fountainmue playing and gov is the band. All is hustle And confusion as tbs Empep. or and Empmoo alight» sud are. presently conflacszed to Weir agflhmengz. V Ere long they are slone and with a subtle. spring Louis Napolaomis at her side. “ZQIka, you love me 3.51 iOVanOE?" Sue gazes out of the-window by which sho‘ atAnds upon the darkening wands of V‘Iile d’Arroy , she sees the thin our! of smoke ascand'mg from aommaotuge faraway. She hears the twitter of acme sleepy liucle birds and feels the dewy air ppon her face. There is a curious innate power in.th- womnn that nukes the man silent. breathless, motionieas, eathrafled, with idle handlr and. quivering lips. What passes tbmugh her mind ‘3 Amorning long; ago in lime. A soldier turning the corner of the Ru Bayardâ€"a. girl ba-i'ei'nwmledl and wlth.no atockicgs on. her feet. Well, well; for one hour she had been the; E npregs of-Bfche: For oBe how she had eat at the side of the man who hadheen the hero of her-life. With a sharp, fleet sigh, nu upward glance that took in all the sweet, soft: beauhy of the time and plaae Zslka bent: her head above the man who now knelt by her. She bnnh her head and touched his brow with her lipsâ€"and then she was “one. Gone â€"w;ith buh that icy coucli im- him to remember all the years through 50 the end. CELKPIER. XI. A cab hurried toward Paris. The curtains were pulled down and the. man drove like one possessed ; 9. large pour. boia‘e must have awaived- him at his destin- ation. A coupe toilowed inhot pursuit. The silken curtains of hbis were also drawn down, and the ooachmen did not once lose sight of theouriagg‘thah he followed. Down through the 'Elyseee, some the Place. through the Rivoli, these lswodsshedI and finally may Attained their goal almost simultaneously. the stage door of theâ€"- theatreâ€"where, as chance would have it, a third carriage, wibh blinds as closely drawn. appeared (to awa‘ib their 'nrrival. A_L L_._ _A_____ Z alka alighbed from the cab, her mauve armenu hastily cmcaaled by a great cloak, and with a. simple kerchiaf tied over her head. Two gentlemen aligbted from the coupe. Two gentlemen in aux-touts, and with opera hats discreetly held closed by their From the third 3 lady emerged clad heavi- ly in black lace; there were roses at her breast. while roses and a. Spanish mantilla wound about: her head almost entirely con- cealed her countenance: faces. And when: would Pnis have said had it known that both the Emperor and Empress that night were present at the perform- ance of “L1 Dime aux Carnelian " at: the theatre. “befilndin'g'im she gave {A sigh of g9- lief. ' "She had no eyes for the two gendemefi who stood aside to permit: he) and her at- tendant to enter the theatre from the front. "th shortly, they also followed her ex- ample: v Nevei, they my, had 0116 Russian played her favorite role so well. Certainly never had the applause been so emphatic or an audience so madly enthua‘ iastic. Again and again after each not was dea. recalled to receive the homage of he: pub- lic. Twice wee she recall 3d. and a third timeâ€" anid the tumultuous me08 of a. house that greeted her on its feet, with waving of hats and handkerchiefs, with flowers and gems thrown recklessly at her feetâ€"was the cur- tain raised. Wes Z Lllm weary? 0: bed she overtaxsd her strength? 0:: the smell garret bed of Marguerite Gsufier the actress lay as asleep. And this display of adoration reached its climax at the close of the last act. Nor did she stir to their plaudits or lift her lids to meet; their gaze. Nor give any sign that she knew that the eyes of who mm she had loved were upon her. Not bid the light lace upon her bosom quiver with exsltation and pride in her triumpn. In was like 1:56 curious phase; of some vggebable melodrama, or [radianceâ€"«trag- e 1.? _.. -. . .h < nu u The curtain fell suddenly. Its dull thud as the weights struck the floor aouudin ominously through the remarkable hush 0% the house. in a mgment more the manager-in-chiefâ€" a. courteous, phlegmatic person-stepped outllgequje the footliglgcs. H_e said :â€"Iâ€"‘ 1 , r 7‘“ Ladies and genuclemen, I regret: to be compelled to Inform you that Mademoiselle Z dkaâ€"is dead.” When they raised her from the a otwhere she had fallen, something sparkfed upon the stage at their feetâ€"s. cameo miniature of the Emperor, its golden frame battered and one of the brilliante lost: from the circle, while upon her white neck there red- dened a scar and the missing diamond WM pressed into the flesh. [THE 22:9,] The advance in American cotmn has driven t 16 cotton masters of Lsmcaahire to the verge of a. financial crisis. Spectator (60 defendant)â€"-Well, I gueu the jury will find for you. The judge’s charge was cerle very much in your favour. Don't you think so? Defendant (moodily)â€"Gh, I knew all along that the judge‘s charge would be a)! right. We the lawyer's charge that's worryin me.