The post. [volume] (Middleburg, Snyder County, Pa.) 1864-1883, 1879-06-05
- q lec It II al le .
NINON'S PRINCE.

1t was the Siego Oh TariS. Eu-
genie had fed from the Tuilcries,
the provisional government been or
gauized under Trochu. All Paris
was in state of wild alarm, anl the
prussian armies were steadily max
ing their way toward the city, invest.
ing ono point after another, aud rap-
idly cutting off all communications
between the besieged city and tho
surrounding country. Winter was
Coming on food aud fuel were be-
coming scarce business WAS entire.
ly suspended: the boulevarls were
1lled with idle, aimless loungers,
gazing with sad and hungry eyes
upon the long defile Of troops that
marched before them. The heavy
rumble Of the artillery wagons echo
Ell through the streets, and the am
bulauce formed procession, with
their terrible suggestions Of tho dead
and wounded for whose conveyancss
they were prepared. The air was
heavy with sadness; Paris shud-
dered at th, thought of the suffer
Ing that it must encounter, and Il
bitter wall srese from the lips of the
poor.
Into the quiet and aristocratic pre-.
cihcts OF the Fanbourg st. Honor
the grim ghost of famine and blood.
shed had not made their way, and
the luxurious entersol of the fashion.
able hotel where Ninon the gay lit
tie Baronne dc Valcour, took up her
abode during the gay Parisian win
ters was all alisht with sunshine aud
flowers Ninon herself was the dul.
lest thing amidst all the brilliant
glitter Of ormolu, gliding aud look,
ing glass. She was leaning back in
her cushioned fautenil, with the toes
OF her slippers extended toward the
fire and her head thrown back wear
lily, looking the very personifcaticn
of enuui
"Would madam cat Eor break kfast'i
inquired Fifne, with solicitude, as
she arranges the inevitable rolls and
coffee on small table by her mis-,
tress' side. Ninon opens her eyes
and shuts them again, and the coffee
grows cold. Fifne knows her fate.
II this coffee is spoiled, in halt IN
hour she will be called upon to pre-
pare fresh one, 30 Fifne ventures
another suggestion.
"Madame has no appetite ?
"Fihne You bother mo. Go away.
Fifine departs, but returns again
In the space Of two minutes.
"Madame, voioi monsieur
Madame turns her pretty little
head and takes comprehensive
glance at tho tall young officer in
the unifoim OF the National Guard
who enters the salon and makes his
way TO her side.
"The, Prussians have not eaten us
up yet y inquiries Ninon, with
yawn that she does not take the
Smallest pains to conceal.
mot yet. Would II be q great
source Of relief to madame il such an
event were to take place 7"
Rather"
Don't you care for me at oil,
Ninon Y,
"Don't DO silly, my child. Tell
mo what his Exceliency General
Trochu is about, and whom you pro.
pose to stain that elegant uniform
with Prussian gore.'
"Poor Paris I" Tho young officer
Aighed and shook his head.
"Parls 10 very Mccall but the
frussians ! and no one is giving any
parties. That snnoys mo
!. 'N,non NH os.., arc you really as hoartloss
Just about. What do you want
mo TO do ~
b little.y
"But DON'T"
The boyish lips troubled. and q
gseat wave Of sorrow spread itsslf
eyss We lAits fresh couutsnauoe.
kheu he kpsl( down " Lar uids,
"a : olaelo tear i6ll % the Ht(lo
- - y o(eope1 " ~
n w ||Y Y. ..''f. 81 II. ~ | u IS.