Beadle's Dime Library No. 509 — page 24: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

24 “Oh, I bad yet again forgotten!” she mur- mured. ‘‘Come, Mr. Detective Officer; if you will kindly see me as far as Mrs, Kelly’s cottage I shall be much obliged.” CHAPTER XXXVI. BOARDING-HOUSE TACTICS. LA TRAVADEUSE, who was an unusually shrewd young woman, had managed to return to her room in the maison Godlove, and effect the much-needed change in her costume, appa- rently without attracting attention, when there was a knock at her door. ‘‘Is it you, Mignon, cherie ?” she called out from her dressing-case. “Tt is not your daughter, ma’m, but your humble servant,” responded the familiar and slightly sareastic voice of the pretty boarding- house mistress. ‘‘Could you kindly deign to exchange a few words with me, ma’m?” With a species of ecstatic shriek, Therese flew to the door, tore it open, and caught Mrs, God- love in her arms, with a comical pretense of af- fectionate exuberance. “Oh, you darling old fossil!” she screamed, embracing her; *‘ just the dear, kindly old frump I was longing to see. Come right in!” When Mrs, Godlove recovered her breath it was with a sparkle cf indignation in her pretty cheeks and prettier eyes, for she had been lumped by main force into the adventuress’s est chair amid a pile of feminine gear, buta slight revenge was in her reach, **Do control your high spirits, ma’m—so un- affectedly youthful, 1 am sure!” she said, po- litely. ‘* Ah, lcan now understand the fellow feeling that makes you persist in twitting me with my thirty-four years as something so inex- pressibly ancient!” And with a gesture she indicated Therese’s rouge pots and powder-boxes, not to mention in detail the toilette paraphernalia in view. Therese, who was just fitting on her bustle, preparatory to donning an elegant morning wrap of a rich rose color and extravagant em- broideries, kissed her visitor yet again. ‘‘That’s right,” she whispered—‘‘a feminine privilege, you know, you dear old thing, and you really don’t show that you are withered. I myself,” in a conSdential whisper, ‘‘ pass for but seventeen—at least nine years less than my actual age, if a day.” ““Is it possible?’ But here Mrs. Godlove’s eyes fell upon the boy’s costume, not yet thrust out of sight, and she pretended a shocked air: ‘* But what is this, ma’m? You have then re- ceived a ape ses visitor, who has even ven- tured—” she had come to a horrified pause. “‘Ventured to change his clothes in my room, you would say?’ supplemented La Travadeuse, with a laugh. ‘No, no, mamma (I may call you mamma, may I[ not?) Not quite so bad as that. I was a boy myself for the greater part of the night, and that make-up from my Car- nival days in Paris came in right handy, you must know.” At last there was a chance for the indignation that was beiling in Mrs. Godlove'’s eedinarily zines breast, and she quickly took advantage of it. “IT was aware that you were out all night, ma’m, and not in keeping with the requirements of your profession,” she exclaimed, *‘ But you don’t mean to tell me that you have masquer- aded abroad in that unseemly attire?” ** But I do, Goddy; and we made quite a night of it. How does my skirt fall, if you please? And just see if you mayn’t be sitting on my curling-tongs. No, here they are. Don’t dis- turb yourself.” “Making a‘ night of it!” was all that Mrs, Godlove could echo, with a dazed and helpless air. Therese nodded.gayly; and just here La Sau- terelle came hopping into the room, flushed from her lawn exercise. ‘Maman, maman! you are back again?” cried the child, running forward for her accustomed embrace, ‘Yes, my dear. There! But run along now —that is, if you shouldn’t wish to kiss Grand- mamma Godlove, too.” **J sha’n’t run along, and I sha’n’t kiss any- body,” cried Mignon, in rebellious half-French and half-English. ‘“ And 1 want some cham- es e, or a brandy and soda, [don’t care which. ere have you been all night, maman? And what pretty boy was it the femme de chambre saw slipping in here half an hour ago?” ‘*My child, excessive inquisitiveness, no less than disobedience, ‘should repressed in the very young.” And muman coolly proceeded to administer a spanking with such Spartan vigor and earnest- ness as speedily sent The Grasshopper whimper- ing and bawling down-stairs again, ‘Neither was Mr. Mayfiel last night,” said Mrs. rather shaking voice. home yet.” **Correct, my dear,” was the imperturbably smiling rejoinder. ‘And how about Major Falconbridge, the great detective, who engaged a room of you, I believe?” * He also failed to occupy his bed.” ‘ Therese clapped her po in hisown bed love, in a solemn and ‘*He hasn’t even got rr EE EE eee — SS SS) theres ae a ** Oh, hut we bad a nightof it!” she cried. ‘* But isn’t luncheon nearly on? I am half-fam- ished.” *Very likely. A night of it! two gentlemen?’ ‘* The more the merrier, my dear.” ‘* Madame Bertrande, | have put up with your irregularities thus far, but I can do so no longer!” Mrs, Godlove had now risen, and was pale and resolute. ‘‘ This—this shamelessness must be stopped,” ‘Wait a minute, grandmamma,” Therese ran to a little private refrigerator, which she kept in one corner of her room, and was back again in an instant, with a half-bottle of champagne under either arm, and a couple of goblets in ber hands, ‘* Just hold the glasses, while I pop the corks, Goddy,” she said, naively, ‘‘I know you must be just dying for a stomach-cooler,” lf eyes were daggers that could kill, Mrs. God- love’s would surely have stabbed the buman cannon-ball to death then and there, as she started back. ‘* Woman!” she exclaimed, “‘ you must know that i never drink.” ‘*Ts it possible? Well, I do.” And, seating herself leisurely, Therese cheer- fully proceeded to aispose of one bottle after the other in her most insouciant manner. ‘“*Ah, my dear lady,” she murmured, you surely cannot know what a treat you are miss- ing. Wine, wine, amber wine! watch it froth and watch it shine—when the bubbles brim on the beaker’s rim, and break on the lips while drinking. By the way, shall I tell youof our last night’s adventure, my dear?” Mrs. Godlove’s curiosity was even superior to her sense of outraged self-respect. ‘“T suppose so,” she replied, plumping back into her chair again. ‘* But can you keep a secret, my dear?” “* Tf not too wicked—yes.” ‘Can you keep my secret?” ** Yes, Madame Bertrande.” * You are quite sure you can keep my secret as to our doings cf last night?” ** Quite sure,” ** Well, so can I.—Good morning, my dear Mrs. Godlove; and if you hurry up luncheon by half-an-hour, I sha’n’t mead wee ait! you are looking so worn and wrinkled that my rouge is quite at your disposal, and—” But Mrs, Godlove had already flounced furi- ously out of the room, and the mad merriment of Therese’s silvery laugh was allowed to fill out the unfinished bantering. **That woman is simply unendurable,” mut- tered Mrs, Godlove, as she made her way down stairs. ‘‘ But if I can’t get rid of her, I can at least watch her goings and comings hereafter, like a cat, and I shall do it. Heavens! if I thought that Mr. Mayfield, that poor virtuous pina man, were already in the clutches of that andsome witch, who will assuredly never am no What, with see her thirtieth birthday again, or judge—” ere she was interrupted by a ring at the door-bell, and drew back from the foot of the main staircase to perceive the servant admit a very beautiful and modest-appearing young lady, accompanied by a professional-looking old gentleman, with bushy white whiskers and a a pair of spectacles. ‘Is Mrs, Godlove in?” asked the young lady’s companion in a very harsh, rasping voice that almost set one’s teeth on edge. The servant gavean affirmative. * And Madame Bertande?” ‘*Sbe answers for herself,” cried a joyous voice from the top of the stairs. And then its owner, Therese rushing down, and the beautiful young lady was clasped in her arms. ‘*Ob, Miss Merrivale, how kind of you to come so soon! But you shall take luncheon with me hefore you think-of opening the piano. Come into the parlcr. Is the gentleman your papa?” ae Retta’s companion was introduced as Mr. ae an old friend. And at this point Mrs. Godlove also came forward and made the ac- quaintance of the new-comers., They had entered the drawing-room, where Henriette, having responded to the ladies’ greet- ings with charming frankness, ste up to the piano which was standing invitingly open at one side of the room, Seating herself at the instrument with un- assuming composure, she struck out a few chords; and then, being a born musician, sud- denly dashed off into the intricacies of a grand and masterly composition, with a verve and brilliancy that speedily crowded the room doors with eager, fair listeners from all over the house. It was a treat. The piece was finished, and the yous structress enlarged her acquaintance wit little ceremony. Therese clapped ber hands. “* Mademoiselle est capable, est charmante she cried. ‘‘ Mon Dieu! J couldn’t play much better myself.” And, seating herself at the instrument, she improvised a series of purposed discordances in- but herself, came eee ee ee eae aa Old Falcon, the Thunderbolt Detective that amused everybody, with the single excep- tion of Mrs. Godlove, as a matter of course, who invariably chose to be secretly scandalized by every one of the Bertrande caprices, which had by this time become quite a toleration, if not a positive entertainment, with every one else, Mr. Major was especially overwhelmed by La Travadeuses charming extravagances, and raspingly declared that he bad even seen her shot out of her cannon in the circus with less satisfaction than he viewed her n.usical pro- ficiency. Then Henriette also vouchsafed a specimen of her vocal powers in a very sweet ballad, toa pretty accompaniment, which was scarcely less of a revelation than her playing had been; and when luncheon was announced, a little later, it was apparent that she hac created a most ex- cellent first impression in her favor. CHAPTER XXXVII. RETTA’S ESCORT. ArTER luncheon Therese received her lessons, there was more music vouchsafed by Miss Merri- vale, and more than a dozen well-to-do ladies, including Mrs. Godlove, were anxious to engage instruction, though she could as yet promise nothing for certain, she said, as to her future movements, Then, somewhat on into the afternoon, there was quite a gervenpety in the picturesque grounds overlooking the river from the back of the house, where Therese at last, notwithstand- ing the jealous watchfulness of Mrs, Godlove, managed to get a few words with Retta alone, ‘“‘T am so glad to speak with you,” she ex- claimed, leading the way toward a rather se- cluded little summer-house. ‘ But, le diable !” looking back; ‘tis tbis old Mr, Major, with a beard like a superannuated fox and a voice like a cracked trumpet, your alter ego, that he is everywhere at your beels? There he is again, watching us like a spectacled-bawk from that arbor!” Retta also looked back and laughed. ‘¢ You shouldn’t complain,” she replied. ‘‘ The r old man has bad no eyes save for you from the first.” ‘‘ Admiration is well enough in its way, ma chere, but can be dispensed with on occasion— save on the part of the one man and the right man, as a matter of course. But whe is your antediluviau cld friend*@-who might tie well enough with the Godlove for that matter.” ‘You are unjust to Mrs. Godlove, ma’m,” said Retta, smiling. ‘‘ From your previous al- lusions to her, I had more than balf-expected to find her a sedate and not very agreeable old lady.” oe Well, and how do you find her?” A still beautiful woman, quite on the right side of forty, and with very lovely dark eyes; though she does appear somewhat disconcerted or jealous, by nature, I must confess.” ** A she-dragon, my dear—a fossil of the stone- age—a monster from the depths!” ‘Tt isn’t right for you to disparage another so unjustly,” said the young girl], gravely. ‘In- deed, it is not,ma’m. You wrong your own beauty by doing so.” , “ Petite, you are a fool! If I didn’t despise that woman, I would honor her with my august hatred,” : ‘* You said at our last parting, that you hated me,” ‘‘ Tt wasthe truth, chere petite. Idid and do hate you virulently, and for the same reason.” Retta blushed and looked pained, for she now remembered also what Mayfield had once told her regarding the pretty widow’s infatuation. ‘“‘T don’t like to be hated,” she said, simply. ‘Tt is very sad!” Therese kissed her, with one of her abrupt laughs, which there was no divining the exact meaning of, ‘¢- You haven't told me who your ancient es- cort, with a cracked-trumpet voice is,” she cried. ‘Is it recognize ‘* Recognize that Wandering Jew of a man!” and Therese again faced about toward the old gentleman under discussion, who still stood in a rapt or mock-rapt attitude at the door of the little arbor, ‘‘1?” ef -¥ es,?” ‘‘ Of course not, my dear. I never saw the evchanted old ape before, though of course I am in ecstasies to have fascinated him,” ‘‘ You are quite sure?” ‘ “ Quite.” “‘ Step this way, Mr. Major!” called out Hen- riette; and the summons was amiably, not to say nimbly, obeyed. ‘Here is Madame Bertrande saying the most uncomplimentary things about you, and stoutly averring that she never saw you before.” Mr. Major, rubbing bis hands together and his whiskered fave a whole garden of ambushed smiles, bad danced rather than step forward with an excess of demonstrative gallantry that caused La Travadeuse to beam maliciously. ‘‘He must be a Frenchman,” she said, sotto woce. ‘**None other could caper and curvet in this way at his age.” ‘‘She says you are a Frenchman of necessity, ponnbls then, that you still fail to im? Gomicbooks.« <=) . +