The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1884-05-06

match was struck, the gas jet aamed up,
and to bis horror host Of black, shining,
serpent like things were crawling over
the floor, upon his bed, upon his cloth.
ing; cold beads OF perspiration burst
out upon his forehead; his cheek blanch.
cd. What we're the frightful creatures
and from whence had they come! Sud-
denly he laughed, queer, nervous laugh
it was, though. The basket OF alligator
eggs near bis bed-the eggs had hatch.
ed, every one of them. He stepped care
fully to the door, rang his bell furiously
and soon sleepy waiter appeared, who
managed to secure and carry of the
strangers.
Lister Ralph started out with sense
of oppression aud WEAKNESS; haif-un-
consciously bis steps turned toward the
market as he thought carelessly, 81 will
see the woman and engage eggs which
she can keep until I start home" But
she was not there: burly German stood
at the stall, by his side tub Of squirm.
ng shrimps. "No, she would not come.
to-day. but on the morrow" he said
Ralph passed on with an unexpected
sense Of disappointment, Of restless dis.
satisfaction; what was 1t he missed, the
violets7 But flowers in profusion we're
on every side, on every corner; sorely It
Was not the violets. Was be the same
creature as . week ago1 ke asked him.
self curiously what was the mental con.
di,ion that had so changed bis identity,
and iE what manner had it been produced
by these recent experiences They were
not 40 very novel thousands OF stran.
gers came to the city; what II all we're
as much affected by It's influence:
Even eaelier than usual he appeared al
the stall on the following morning, but
Celeste was not there; be did not know,
at least he had not admitted, that he had
expected her until marking her absence.
"Ab, Monsieur, good day! good day
glad to see Monsieur-some flowers
here are vlolets Celeste Ok for Monsieur,
she think you may come to o-dsy."
"Does Celeste come often ," he asked,
taking the flowers.
"Oh, no, Monsieur, the father would
not like it. / never come to marke,
when the father was here; he work for
as, and We have plenty. Now he Is gone
and must take care Celeste, only some
time it is 80 lovely for the child, bring
her along"
"And where do you live Z"
"Ob, not vely far away; i've miles
from the city. Monsieur . stranger, he
like to see the country, the alligators
and everything Let him come and
make me one little visit"
A sudden eagerness filled his restless
mind.
"Taat would please me greatly" he
answered quickly. II was never in this
part Of the country before, and would
gladly 60 with you. When, to-day p
aye Monsieur, to-day; we have-a
poor little home, but Monsieur 10 vel
come"
The simple-hearted hospitality Of the
woman touched him.
Il will enjoy it very much, indeed !"
then he added earnestly, "when will you
start2"
eAt twelve o'clock, my neighbor Jac-
ques Bourlier's wagon goes He always
take me, but il Monsieur like, he can
come on the train, and I will meet him
at the station"
"No. thanks; 1 will 60 in the wagon
il there is room."
About twelve they started. The ru-
bicunds Jacques, lively little French.
man. the slmple-hearted flower veuder,
and Ralph Ogden. Atlast they stopped
at a poor little cottage, standing like
many others he bad seen, upon long
slender legs that supported it five feet
above the ground. Without, it was
shabby, and forlorn, hut within vas per-
vaded by an air OF neatness and comfort,
almost refinement. There were white
curtains at tue windows, a strip Of car.
pet before the hearth, table with o
bright cover holding books and vase
Of flowers, and in the corner, stand,
above which hung cruci6z and . pic
ture OF the Virgin.
Celeste was bending above piece Of
dainty lace, which her skillful fingers
we're fashioning, but at the sound OF a
strangers voice. she sprang up and stood
In the doorway, courtesying and smiling
cordially.
"Monsieuris welcome" she said sim
plv. handing . chair as be entered.
Tue mother hustled avav. and he took
the proff.red seat near vine sheltered
window.
She showed him her work, her books.
her flowers, her guitar; she Gang snatch.
es OF quaint little F.eEch songs, and
smiled and blushed like child, at his
words OF praise.
"And Monsieur has the fpwers,' she
said with characteristic naiuets, Il al
way, wear viole,s, papa loved violets.
but-dear papa"-with . long drawn
sigh. ave came here after be died; be-
fore, We lived in tue city, in such a
bright. happy little home. used to go
all about the CITY with him, to all the old
churches, and to the Cathedral. You
have been there 7"
..N,, not yet, bat intend doing So"
He listened to the sweet young voice.
watched the changes OF the fresh, vivid
young face. with It's eager and impulsive
expires sions, and later. as they wandered
odt over the low-lying fields and into the
dark forest, couLi not escape the fancy
that he vas In 50 ne enchanted country,
and tha, in some subtle manner, q spell
va. being woven about him.
The afternoon wore away. then long
novel evening. in which Celeste. read
aloud, sang. and chatteA, With the free
dom and abandon OF child; 1t was to
him like an old fairy tale OF princess
in hut, or like finding a rare jewel en-
cased in earth; and the girl, bali child,
half woman, so simple-hearted aud un
affected. seemed as happy IS Though heI
home we're palace, and she OF royal
blood q,
The following dav be bade them adieu
the mother promising to secure the eggs
he wished; Celeste with 9 bright. smile
slightly rearstfui. bringing cluster O.
violets fresli and dry for. him to weal
awav.
"You will not forget Celeste J" sh'
ssked iunoceutly; "the violets will re
mind vOu' -