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

him . heritage from Bohemia which filed
bis soul With longing for freedom, for
escape from all the empty conventionali-
ties and social formalities, that had until
now hedgsd in his life. IN 4a
Several days he had lent himself to
the indolept, seductive pastime OF wan
dering about the city, so unlike oil 9th.
ers he had kno wn, when one morning
strolling lsisurely through the old French
market he paused before . stall which
displayed q collection Of very rare dow.
ers. A buxom French woman, still In
the prime OF life, with 9 bright hand.
some face, fne figure and picturesque
costume, smilingly nade him good NOR.
ming" in Q musical broken speech which
struck his ear % unusually pleasant.
The stall boasted no ware beside the
flowers and large wicker basket deco
rated with rich green vines and scarlet
blossoms and filed with snowy eggs
"Good day." be answered hastily. and
leant . moment upon the table gazing
with admiration upon tho bouquets.
"These are the handsomest have seen
You arranged them yourself7"
"Oh, no, Monsieur," with low, CUR
Cling laugh, "my little girl always fix the
10 Fers." =
"Ani who taught her to do It SO skill.
fully ?" he asked idly, following the
habit that had come to him during these
few days OF chatting With every one who
spoke.
"Oh, the father; be Was fne, beautiful
gentleman, not like me, with look OF
self.depreciation from the bright, black
eyes. HE was very hne gentleman, a.
a-professor."
"And now3"
"Oh, Monsleur, he is dead /; four years
dead, and little Celeste has only me-"
He bought the handsome bouquet and
WAS turning awav.
"Will Monsieur have this little bunch
Of violets3 Celeste make It herself, but.
ton boquet. Celeste 6x the egg, too
"Oh, wish some eggs, but not that
kind. Where. could l get dozen aliga-
tor esgs" =.
She looked doubtful moment but an.
swered, II maybe get them for Mon
sieur. I will see; come again to mar
ket Ia two days; maybe l bring them to
Monsieur"
Passing on, he fastened tie little clus-
ter OF violets in ais button hole and un.
consciou ously inhaled with their perfume q
thought OF the little Celeste whose fin-
gers had knot,ed them together.
He did not forget the day named nor
the position OF the stall and early on the
second morning came 10 sight OF the
bright black eyes watching for bim.
Sauntering up leisurely he did not ct
6rst notice . slight, graceful figure that
stood near the old woman, but suddenly
II turned and his eyea rested upon the
most beautiful face he had ever 5eheid.
A creole Of purest type, ciear olive COM
plexion, large. soft, dusky eyes. vivid
coloring in cheek and hip, and curling
masses Of raven hair caught back care
lesslv upon the neck BY knot OF scar.
let ribbon. The fsce was withal very
delicate, with coy look from the beau
tiful eyes. She was looking toward him
now, and with an artless grace courte-
sled and smiled. He almost forgot the
errand which had brought him into the
place until the mother, reaching out q
prettily dressed basket, said:
"The eggs. Monsieur. Celeste got
them; she makes them 90 prettily, too,
Monsieur"
The large yellow eggs, looking like
boulders. glesmed from q nest Of vivid
green leaves and we're fragrant with pink
hyacin,hs and golden jonquils, that held
up their dainty cups between. He gszsd
at the eager, glowing face turned toward
his own. but still did not speak. Aloek
OF disappointment crept into the soft,
rquid eyes.
"Monsi. ur. does not think it pretty"
the girl said quickly, "but the leaves aud
flowers protected the eggs" -
.Oh. the baske, is beautiful. it Is love.
ly. aud thank you greatly. You are
Celeste 2"
"Aye, Monsieur, nv little girl" an
swered the mother eagerly "but she 10
not like me, indeed no, che is the father
over and over again"
"Tell me about the eggs" he queried,
show did you get them y
"Oh, the nests are often found near
the bayous, and yesterday I had boy
hunt for one. He was nearly caught by
the mother slligstor. who might have
lamed him with blow OF her long tail "
The voice was low and musical the
speech very different from that Of the
mother, pure and correc. in tone and ex.
preston; but there Was no excuse for
remsining, and after thanking them again
he turned away.
Such beau iful face! Such guileless,
bewitching eyes! Such . mingling Of
childishness and maturity in the face.
He wore . fresh hunch OF violets, this
time bought from the stall, but they, too
we're from the hand OF the beautiful Gre.
ole, and their fragrance seemed to ascend
a. incense and float ab ,ut him with the
power OF some strange incantation. All
day the face was constantly before him :
why was Ei Why should the eyes haunt
him so2 What was it In their depths
that seemed reflected from his iDmost
soul2 70 49,
Very carefully he handled the basket
containing the eggs destined tor friende
in bis far away N ,rthern home, and soon
they we're deposited 10 the room he had
taken ct the hotel.
That night he retired early, wearied
bv long tramp over the novel cemete.
ries that 80 greatly interest strangers. s.and
falling asleep was Immediately lost in
dreams strange and perplexing. One
moment, he was again beside the proud,
beautiiui woman who awaited his COM
ing In the ice.bound North-ano.her, and
the warm, fragrant breath OF the, South
ern city stirred bis senses, and the fasci'
mating Celeste smiled archly 10 his face
lifting . cluster OF purple violets.7 He
pazed from the shining golden braids t.
the raven tresses curling luxuriantly
upon the olive brow, from tie magnid
cent physique Of the woman to the deli
cately rounded figure OF the young glrl
from the patrician to the plebian ! ane
was lost 10 maze with the two. puzzled
and perplexed. 1t Was almost morning
horr;hlo foncv saizad him ElinOr. hi