Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1883-09-30
NlNoN's PRINCE.
R THE FRENCH.

AlAn AIulAC NCAO9 ANANAAJ
way toward the city, investing one
point after another, and rapidly cutting
off all communication between the be-
sieged city and the surrounding eOun-
try. Winter was coming on, food and
fuel becoming scarce; business was en-
tirely suspended; the b~oulevards were
filed with idle, aimleSs loungerS, gaz'
ing with sad and hungry eyes upon the
long files Of troops that marched before
them.
Into the quiet and aristOcratic pre-
cincts of tie FaubOurg st. HOnOre the
grim ghosts of famine and bloodshed
had not made their way, and the lux
urious entresol Of the fashionable hoteI
where Ninon, the gay little Bsronne de
VaIeour, took her abode during the gay
Parisian winter, was all sligut with
sunshine. Niuon was leaning back in
her cushioned fsuteuille with the toes
of her slippers extending toward the
fire, and ner head thrown back YEARLY,
looking the very persOnitication OF
ennnl.
"Fihne, you bother me. Go away"
FiAne 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 Prusslans have not eaten you
up YETI" inquiries Ninon, with yawn
that she does not take the smallest
pains to conceal.
mot yet. Would it bes great source
Of relief to madame il such an event
was to take placer"
Rather"
Don't you care for me at all, Nj
nonT'
"Don't he silly, my child. Tell me
what His Exceltency General TrOchu IS
about, and when you propose TO stain
that elegant uniform with Prussian
gore"
"Pnor PARISH
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-"
"NinoD, are you really as heaItless as
YOU SEEM
Just about What do you want me-
TO do2"
"Tell me you love me, NinOn, just a
little"
'But I don't"
The boyish lips trembled, aud 3 great
wave of sorrow spread itself Owe tue
fair, fresh e]Ouutenance. Tnen he knelt
down by her side, and S single tear fell
on the little hand that he stopped to
kiss.
"Ninon, NInon, won't you love me?"
You are u stupid boy, and you must
go or / shall never eat my breakfast.
You are q very nice boy, Armand, but
you look as if you were going to cry"
"NinOnp
The word sounded like q cry Of pain.
Then he kissed her hand again and
turned to leave her.
al shall not come again, Ninon."
Madame le Baronne distgured her
pretty lips with an incredulOus little
moue, aud the door closed upon her boy
ish lover.
PARIS in a state of siege-s city OF
z,OOO,QO0 Inhabitants surrounded by the
forces Of = powerful enemy, and sll sup
plies cut of! The streets were filled
with q gaunt and hungry crowd Of des-
perate men and d~espsiring women.
The sounds Of distress and suffering
began 10 make themselves heard even
in the luxurious quarters Of the Eau
bouTg St. Honore, where NinOn de VAL
cour wore out her days in wailing over
the dullness and dreariuess Of the gay
capital. The high prices demanded for
ali the necessaries OF life began to eX-
ha st even the princely De Vslcour
The establishment must be
reduced, and Baroness NinOn awOke
out of her long dream Of luxury and
l~sziness to face life for the first time
Sc seriously.
One among Ninon's friends was miss
ing. The bOyish form Of the young
officer, with his unlarnished uniform
and unused sword, appeared no more
among her guests. At first she smiled
al his absence, then iDsensibly she be-
gan to watch for his coming, and IS the
days passed one after another, NInon
grew anxious
It was the evening Of the 24th OF No.
vember. NInon was sitting alone,
when q quick, hurried tread sounded
behind the chair, and the clanking Of q
sword startled her.
"Armsndw she exclaimed, as she
turned and encountered the excited
glance Of the young officer.
"Yes, Ninonl At last Paris Is arous-
ed. Tomorrow will be 3 grand snrtie.
With 100000 men we shall leave Paris
.-.A ,Ann M apnpfOnu- 20 VII
lierS. DucrOt has sworn to re-enter
Paris only ~victoriOus OF dead. have
come TO say good bye. Before to.mor.
row night PruSsian ball or bayonet may
have 9uie.sd forever the heart that
loves YOU so p~aSsiOnately. Kiss me,
Minor, and God biesyou."
Ninon lined the brown hair from the
fair young forehead 8 moment her lips
. rested there, and she murmured, "GOd
bless you, my ArmAndp' And then he
pressed her psssionStely against his
heart, and leh her.
In the morning the troops were In
motion. With stern and set determius-
ton, they moved forward, looking
neither 10 the right nor left, lest the sor-
rowful faces of the women they loved
should unperve their hearts and IN
steady their hands.
Atfhe head Of his company rode Ar
mapd de RochecRur. He did not turn
his head, but the hand that held the
bride rein shook as the heavy tread OF
his powerful horse bore him slowly on
beyopd the gaze o fthe bright eyes that
looked down upon him.
Ouietly Ninon watched him go.
Steadily she watched his retrestiRg
form. A soft mist elouded her flashing
@Da GIscH-