The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1878-10-17
OUR STORY TELLER.
A PORTENTOUS DAY In MAR
SEILLES.

and Joyous day in the Queen City OF the
Mediterranean, Marseilles, which even
then was one of the finest places in the
Old World, and which to-day is dazzling
in the splendor of its gorgeous buildings,
its magnificent situation and its sunny
sky.
On that day great event occurred in
the commercial history of Marseilles.
The first ship from the Levant, laden
with precious cashmere wool, had ar
rived, and it was to be woven at Mar
seilles, whose great ambition was to
eclipse the spinners of Lyons and Rouen.
The sailors of the ship were treated to
a collation. at the public expense, and
until late hour of the night crowds
singing joyous ditties were passing
through the principal streets of the city.
Alas! had the people of Marseilles
known the dreadful calamities the wool
ship had carried to theml
II had sailed from Smyrna, and at
Smyrna that terrible scourge of former
ages, the plague, was raging. c.
Disinfecting processes at the time were
never resorted to, and the narrow streets
Of Marseilles, near the harbor, were kept
in very filthy condition.
Next day the wool ship was unloaded,
and two hours later most of the work
men engaged on the dock near it were
writhing in the agonies of the plague.
A cry of horror resounded through
out the whole city when the dread news
became generally known. The stores
we're shut up and the people locked
themselves in their dwellings. Some of
the wealthier residents hurriedly left
the city, and departed for the pine-clad
hills north of Marseilles, where the air
was bracing and salubrious.
But the vast majority of the people
stayed. Stayed to die-to die in man
ner too horrible to imagine.
1t was at setting in of dusk that a
well-dressed and very handsome young
man entered a narrow street in the
northern part of the city. He stood
still in front of low house, the window.
shutters of which, were tightly closed.
From his pocket he drew silver whistle
and blew three shrill notes from it.
A few minutes later the front door oi
the house was cautiously opened.
In the dim twilight the young mar
recognized frail female form, dressed
in a flowing white wrapper. He rushed
toward her, and, clasping her in his arms
exclaimed, rapturously: Y LtS5tf
"Sephroniap
"Antoinew
For a minute they remained locked il
fervent embrace. Then she drew hin
gently into hallway. They exchanged
many tender caresses.
At last she ushered him into a COIL,
furnished back room, lighted by hang
ing lamp, which shed a dim light owe
the room. They sat down on loy
divan.
She was q girlish beauty of the tru
Eastern style, graceful as a fawn, pei
haps eighteen years old, perhaps yea
or two younger, with hair raven black
complexion faultlessly pure, magnif
cent eyes, and mouth as charming a
that of the Venus of Milo. ....
The young man took her hand, an
gazed lovingly into her eyes. % - .yi
Sephronia," he said at last, "I hav
come to hear your decision"
A cloud at once darkened the brow {
the lovely girl. CO.,. -r-.e J. .'.. .''' 'i ~ -4f
Antoine de Couras,', she said, pres
ing her hand against her heart, sf yo
have been the most generous of men
me- You have surrounded me wit
luxuries. You love mel love yo
with all my heart. But "ll.r =.
Butp he exclaimed, impatiently.
'' But, Antoine, dearest Antoine, I ca
not marry youw ~ y. 5.} b.Gf l''eil.
lie sPrang to his feet, uttering vii
imprecation. F'''4'l"i -f %
fWhy, Sephronia, whyT he erie
stamping his foot on the ground. 4 ..
Listen to me, Antoine" she sal
calmly. 'hWhat am / in the eyes of Il
world but wretched outcast? I'll
daughter of woman who was broke
on the wheel as a WITCH" Her boso
heaved conyulsively as she uttered the
words giyl-l ~ opI ~ l.aINeI
"Posr motherP' she sighed. "she
witch because she cured some sick peop
whom the stupid physicians of Ms
seilles had given up."g de-, ,t..
%ltwas an abominable outrage l' mi
INJURED M. De Couras. .-..>..'. ..I
ut was, Antoine. My own life w
in danger. You saved me, and CO
ceaied me herel And then think of w
you arei The only son of a wealtl
counselor to the Parliament. Yo
father would disown you."
have modest fortune in my oy
right" interposed Antoine.
A modest fortunei" she exclaime
mlmost scornfully. How happy yc
the petted child of opulence, would
with slender income.u NE# -
II would be with you. But tell N
Sephronia, is your decision irreyocabIe
She hesitated. Then she passionate
drew him to her heart.
mol nor she cried. "Only gi
me a weeks time. I have a stran
foreboding that startling events {
going to happen"
Zone startling event has alrea