The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1881-07-14
A LITTLE FRENCH GIRL.

That Jack was either actually suffering
from mental alteration, or endeavoring
his utmost to inspire one with that sus-
picion, I could not we'll doubt. For
several days he had been acting in a
strange, might say remarkably absurd
manner, and appeared entirely to have
lost his gay, almost French spirits.
Jack Oakley was genuine Kentucky
American, generous to fault, reckless,
brimful of fun and animal spirits, and
bound to have little taste of foreign
life, as he expressed it; and I was blase
Englishman, travelling to kill time. We
became acquainted with each other at
Geneva, in Switzerland, and warm
friendship soon sprang up between us;
.thenceforth we were inseparable compan-
ions, travelling everywhere together.
Before We departed each for his own
country, Jack and concluded to spend
a few weeks in Paris. It is needless to
state that time never hung heavy on our
hands during our sojourn there. No one
in that gayest of cities, with plenty of
money, ever experiences any difficulty
in finding plenty of amusement. But
suddenly Jack grew sulky and silent,
spending his afternoons I knew not
where. and his evenings in pacing up
and down the floor of our spacious
chamber.
One evening about twilight, just as I
had thrown myself upon the sofa, heard
Jacks heavy tread liz the hall. He threw
open the door with great deal of unnec-
essary violence. and glared about the
room with an exceedingly savage scowl
at nothing in particular, or rather at
everything in general-the glare was
not at all specific. Having uttered in a
sepulchral tone some choice expressions
rarely heard off the tragic stage, he en-
tered the chamber and began pacing the
floor. Pausing for a moment to kick
over the spittoon and to utter q most
pathetic groan he went to his writing
desk and took therefrom a small package
of dainty notes; these he proceeded to
ignite, and watched them burn with the
air of one offering up sacrifice; next
he took from his pocket miniature,
seemed about to break it in twain, but,
changing his mind, flung 1t impatiently
from him, and seating himself on his
trunk, sighed heavily.
had discovered the secret Of Jacks
absurd conduct; he was deeply, desper-
ately in love, or at least imagined him
self to be- l buried my face in the vel
vet cushion to smother my laughter, but
he must have heard it, for he sprang up
with very impolite ejaculation and be-
gan pacing the floor again; finally he
threw himself on the couch-and the fell
low actually burst into tears.
"Jack," exclaimed, you're q fool!'
II know l am, Bob" he said, rising (;
but light cigar and come and sit down
by the window and I'll tell you all about
it,"
could not do less than comply with
this rational request of my irrational
friend.
"Well, Bob, he began, "you remem-
Der that night about two weeks ago you
declined TO 60 out With me on the score
of indisposition or something of the
sort, and left you lying on the couch
humming one of these COMPOUNDED tune
less English songs of years, and started
for the Theatre Francois. Well, I did
not go; changing my mind, drifted
about from street to street until / COM
pletely lost my bearings. Just as / was
passing q dark, dismal-looking alley
heard smothered shrek, and regardless
of the consequence, rushed down the
alley whence it proceeded, and beheld q
woman struggling in the grasp of two
ruffians knocked one of them down,
and the other took to his heels. The
woman was nearly frightened out Of her
senses, and gladly accepted my offer TO
escort her home. She said the men Who
had assaulted her were thieves, and that
they bad nearly succeeded in robbiDg