The shower OF cold.

An Historical Tale.
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rurIer was already distinguished by her wit,
her talent for repartee, and her love of gam
ing; generosity amounting almost to prodl-
gaiity, was her predominant passion; much
as she loved gaming, the pleasure she ex-
perienced in bestowing her bounty far ex-
ceeded it; with such qualities she was often
without money, ard this was one Of her
greatest griefs.


1t was in the beginning of January, 1904;
there had been leuce that day al the Tuil-
leries; in the evening some had assembled
to play cards; the Emperor was playing
uingt-une with some of his marshals, by his
side sat the Empress playing with the ladies
of the court; some of the chambcrlains, and
five or six ofthe generals were seated round
a table behind the ladies busily engaged at
gambling. Madame Surrurier was of this
party; the Marshal Jourdan, another great
gambler. was seated beside her. As was
generally the case, Madame Surrurier lost;
the marshal, ON the contrary, was winning
great deal, which frequently compelled
him to pass several large sums of money 10
biz wife, who was standing at the other
SIDE Of int Mafchioness. Once having
gathered an enormous quantity of twenty
franc pieces in his hands, which he had Just
won, as he was passing them over, some
one accidently touched his arm, and the
greatest number Of the pieces fell into the
stays and down the back Of the Marchioness.


'.Eh! Monsieur cried she galy, where
does this shower of gold come FRONT"


She stood up to try and shake some of
them down, but many of them caught in her
stays and refused to descend.


take care, Monsieur" said the Empress
gaily, II think Madame Surrurier is not
sorry for that accident"


"Mons;eur," in her turn, said the Mar
chioness, impatient at losing part of the
game; '.you know that the law allows US
twenty-four hours to pay gambling debt;
will you then wait till tomorrow"


II ought to he satisfied, Madame" graci-
ously replied Jourdan, 'to have my money
in such safe keeping"


Each again sat down, and the play con-
tinued.


Towards midnight, Madame Surrurier
entered her hotel, having lost the two hun
dred louis her husband had that morning
given her. A servant then came TO tell her
that the Able Desclair had been wsitinga
long time for her return. This was a re-
spectacle ecclesilstic who had frequently
rendered services to the 1Iarchioness's
family, and for which reason the lady much
respected him.


.'What an hour, Monsieur Abbe," said
she, '.you choose for v;s;ting."


'When Madame le Marechale is ac-
quain;ed with the business which has brought
me, know shall be pardoned.'


''rell me what it Is at once, for yonr looks
quite fTighten nae. F"


''You know, Madame" said the Able,
when they were alone, that my youngest
brother, who is paymaster Of the regiment
Of


Yes, charming Young man, who is sure
to make his way in the world


Thanks TO the protection the Marquis,
that he is already paymaster of his regiment
-Unhappily, he is very young, lively,
ardent and easily led-!n fine, Madame,
my wretehed brother has gambled-gam-
bled and lost all the money which did not
belong to him. Obliged to furnish his
accounts tomorrow, he has sworn to put an
end TO himself if he cannot find the means to
defray his debt. Even now he is at home,
armed with pistols, and cannot explain TO
you what | suffer-


And here the honest ecclesiastic covered
his face with his hands to conceal his tears,
and smother his sobs. The Marchioness
was also suffering; she bitterly reproached
herselftor her prodiaality, her love of gam
bling which rendered it impossible for her
to succor the unfortunate young man.


What sum do YOU requirei' asked she
in a voice trembling with emotion.


''Five hundred francs, tbs but small, if
there was time to collect it; but it is to-
morrow, tomorrow, at the dawn ofd day, that
my brother must have it,


"There is but one way," cried Madame
having recollectcd the shower Of gold that
had'fallen on her clothes. ''Quick, quick,
my dear Sir, YOU must assist me to undress."


And without waiting for an answer, the
Marchioness tore off her collar, and began
undoing her dress. The Able began to
doubt the evidence of his senses.


iii Madame la Marechale would allow
me- said he, hesitatingly, Il shall ring for
your maid.


''Not at ALL not at ALL Keep yourself
quietl they must not know where | get the
money from that | am going to give YOU.
Quick, take out that pin; there is another
lower, lower, lower; now, unite that string.'


The Able appeared paralyzed with as
tonishmeni; one might well say that he was
afraid of burning his fingers: lie undid the
string, and her dress fell off.


'Don't lose timc,'' said the Marchioness.
"See, this string is tied behind. Take great
care not to pull it in a knot; that would re-
tard as. Now this one-good. There are