Monsieur Le Baron.

the dusk , pausing a moment in the hall to listen , then flitting up the stairs , like some poor ghost retailing fearfully to watch "beside the extinguished embers of its forsaken hearth . Safe in the shelter of her OAVII room , Celeste bolted and barred the door securely .

Her dread of discovery groAV day by day ; she need not have feared ; the Herr Baron Avould never have dreamed of ascending those long stairs to visit tlie attic lodger . The Baron began to find Paris more endurable ; and Celeste , seeing Mm

occasionally erect and self-satisfied , Avith a smile on Ms jiroud lips , said to herself Avith a pitiful moan : " He lias forgotten me already— -and I—I love Mm . " Then she sank on her knees before her little crucifix , and prayed as only hearts in such sorrow can pray . And by and by peace came again to the pinched , worn face , and ,

rising , she said , humbly ; " It Avas Avrong ; I should not have hoped . " But the Baron had not forgotten her , though often he Avas tempted to Avisli lie might do so . Her face had a trick of rising "before Mm suddenly in tlie theatre , in the brilliant salonnot as lie once knew

, it , —fresh and blooming , —but faded and haggard , as lie saw it in the Champs Elysees , and then lie returned absent answers to his friends , or , —if lie Avas alone , —lie drank rather more than Avas quite good for him . He Avrote to her onc & , to

the address she bad given Mm long ago , asking her to let Mm help lier , offering lier , as delicately as might be , an enclosed draft " for the sake of the days that are past . " The draft Avas returned Avith the Avords : "I thank you , 'for the sake of the days that are past ; ' it is impossible , Monsieur le Barnn . "

The Baron shrugged his shoulders , and Avislied that Avomen Avere not so difficult to manage . "What would she have ? " lie said , impatiently . He knew very Avell Avhat she Avould have , and the thought troubled liim .

One evening in summer the Baron had a headache , and refusing all invitations , told Hansel to deny Mm to any chance visitors . The house Avas quite still , and Celeste , thinking that , as usual , lie Avould be absent , left her door open to catch the faint breeze that Avliispered through the

corridor , and , as she sat at lier embroidery , sang softly to herself . She had had an exquisite voice once , and it A \ 'as still true and SAveet . The Baron Avas passionately fond of music , and as tlie first notes fell on Iiis ear , ho opened his door Avider to

listen . It was a hymn to the Virgin , — one Avhich in clays gone by Celeste Avas fond of singing . He remembered it HOAV , and as the notes rose higher and higher , like some freed spirit exulting in its flight , and then sank into a plaintive minor , as if

the soul groAV suddenly conscious of its earthly chains , the tears started to Ms eyes . " Hansel ! " he calls softly , and Celeste , hearing him , hastily barred the door , and dropped , trembling and anxious , into lier chair . The next evening Picot stopped lier as she flitted past Mm hi the early dusk .

" I had a hard time to keep your secret , last night , Mademoiselle Celeste- ; but a promise , you IQIOAV " " Yes , yes , good Pieot , tell me quickly , for I must not wait long . " " Well , the Baron ho sent for me , and

lie said : Good Master Pieot '—it is always good Picot Avhen one Avants anything- —ha ha !— ' Avill you tell me AVIIO it is here that sings so sweetly ? ' I knew at once that' it Avas you , Mademoiselle , for you have sung for my Avife ; so I thought—ha ! lia !—' good '

Picot , you must be careful . ' Well , Monsieur , ' I ansAvered , ' it may be the English lady or her aunt ; they Lave the next floor . '"

"' No , it Avas the floor above that , — quite up in the roof , ' answered the Baron . " ' All ! it may liaA ^ e been the artist AVIIO ~ -pauvre diahla- sells no pictures . ' "' Then lie would scarcely feel like singing , ' said Monsieur ; 'besides , it Avas a woman's voice . '

"' Well , Avell , it must have been the other lodger , then , AVIIO sits and sews all night sometimes . ' " ' SBAVS all night ! ' said the Baron , ' she must be very poor . What is lier name ?' " Then , Mademoiselle , I Avas frightened ,

but I pretended there Avas some one calling mo , and excused myself . 'Wait , Picot , you have not told me the name , ' called the Baron . ' Oh , the name , Monsieur , I have forgotten . ' And I ran doAvn tlie stairs as fast as my feet could carry me . This morning the Baron stopped at the gate , &