The true northerner., 1883-03-16
MINON'S PRINCE.


1t was the siege of Paris. The EN-
press Eugene had fed from the Tuile-
ries, the Provisional Government had
been organized under Trochu, Paris
was in state of wild alarm, and the
Prussian armies were steadily making
their way toward the city, investing one
point after another, and rapidly cut
ting off all communication between the
besieged city and the surrounding
country Winter was coming on; food
and fuel becoming scarce; business was
entirely suspended; the boulevards
were filled with idle, aimless loungers,
gazing with sad and hungry eyes upon
the long files of troops that marched
before them.
Into the quiet and aristocratic pre-
cincts of the Faubourg st. Honore the
grim ghosts of famine and bloodshed
had not made their way, and the luxu-
rious entresol of the fashionable hotel
where Ninon, the gay little Baronne de
Valcour, took her abode during the
gray Parisian winter was all alight with
sunshine Ninon was leaning back in
her cushioned fauteuille with the toes of
her slippers extending toward the fire,
and her head thrown back wearily,
looking the very personifcation of en-
nui.
"Fifine, you bother me. Go away"
Fifne departs, but returns again In
the space of two minutes.
Madame, vici monsieur"
Madame turns her pretty little head
and takes q comprehensive glance at
the tall young officer in the uniform Of
the national guard.
"The Prussians have not eaten you
up yet?" inquiries Ninon, with a yawn
pains TO conceal.
"Not yet. Would it be a great source
of relief to madame if such an event
was to take place?"
Rather"
"Don't you care for me at all,
Ninon?"
Don't be silly, my child. Tell me
what his EXcellency Gen. Trochu is
about, and when YOU propose to stain
that elegant uniform with Prussian
gore?'
"Poor Paris" The young officer
sighed and shook his head
paris is very mccall but the Prus-
slams; and no one is giving any parties.
That annoys me"
"Ninon, are you as really heartless
as you seem?"
"Just about. What do you want me
to do?"
"Tell me you love me, Ninon, just a
little."
"But don't"
The boyish lips trembled and great
wave of sorrow spread itself over the
fair, fresh countenance. Then he knelt
down by her side and a single tear fell
on the little hand that he stopped to
kiss
"Ninon, Ninon, won't you love me ?"
"You are stupid boy and you must
go away or shall never eat my break
fast. You are very nice boy, Ar
mand, but you look as if you were
going to cry"
"Ninon!" the word sounded like a
CRY of pain.
Then he kissed her hand again and
turned to leave her.
Il shall not come again, Ninon."
Madame de Baronne disfgured her
pretty lips with an incredulous little
boyish lover
Paris in state of siege! A city OF
100000 inhabitants surrounded by
the force of powerful enemy and all
supplies cut off! The streets were
filed with gaunt and hungry crowd
of desperate men and despairing
women.
The sounds of distress and suffering
began to make themselves heard even
nm the luxurious quarters of the Fau-
bourg St Honore, where Ninon de Val
cour wore out her days in wailing over
the dullness and dreariness of the gay
capital. The high price demanded for
all the necessaries Of life began TO ex-
hauSt even the princely De Valcour
revenues. The establishment must he
reduced and Baroness Ninon awolle ont
of her long dream of luxury and laz-
Iness TO face life for the first time
seriously
One among Ninon's friends WA miss
ing. The boyish form of the young
offic r. with hiS untarnished uniform
and unu ed sword, appeared no more
among her guests. AT first she smiled
at his absence, then insensibly she be-
gan to watch for his coming, and ,as the
days passed one after another, Ninon
grew anxious.
IL was the evening of the oath of No
vember. Ninon was sitting alone when
aquick, hurried tread sounded behind
the chair, and the clanking of sword
startled her.
~Armandl" she exclaimed, as she
turned and encountered the excited
glance of the young officer.