The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1885-10-01
"Your thoughts" said he, care trav.

Seating herself in front of the hearth, she
looked thoughtfully into the fire.
"f mademoiselle will trust me-" the
stranger presently remarked in soft
tone, seven though she might wish a
message taken to her lover, will promise
to execute my trust faithfully"
The girl looked mp with touch of
Indignation in her face. But suddenly
dropping her eyes she said, with asdeep
blush on her checks, & have no lover"
The stranger looked grave; and as
though conscious of having made . blum
der he hastened to change the subject.
will not try any further to read your
thoughts. But tell me-" he added, awhy
does your brother keep boat for hire in
the harbor when he has such an excellent
little cafe to attend to? 1t seems TO me
that the work is too severe for you all by
YOURSELF
All, monsieur, you would not say
that" exclaimed Nina, q" if you only knew
how anxious we both are to make
money"
The stranger could not concesi a look
of surprise Such sentiments altered III
such an avaricious tone by a comedy girl
like Nina, appeared inconsistent. "You
mean, perhaps" he limited, "that you do
not find it congciial work to keep a cafe,
and that you will be glad when you can
retire from businesss %
"Oh, no, monsieur That is not what
| meant. When we have accumulated
10000 francs We shall part with the
money; and then"
UThan rua1amoiscIIa %,
"We shall begin again." continued
Nina, "with light hearts; for if we save
that sum we can purchase our fathers lib
erty."
WHAT cried the stranger, greatly
moved. is it possible that
"IIushr' Nina whispered, with her
finger to her lip, as she glanced around
at the table where her brother and his
companions were seated over their game !;
"whenever Prosper hears this subject
mentioned he is like madman. II it
interests you, this terrible disaster which
has befallen us, draw your chair closer
and | will tell you in few words how it
all happened"
The stranger came nearer TO Nina's
side, and leaned forward in listening
attitude. His face assumed an express
sion of deep concern as she proceeded.
In low voice, frequently choked by
tears, the girl contided to the sympa-
thctic stranger her sad story. "Always
anxious to assis. his family" Nina began,
cit occurred to father to buy vessel for
the purpose of trading along the coast of
the Adriatic. SO he collected together
all that he was worth, made a capital
bargain, and set sail in his little ship,
confident that his venture would be
successful. He had traded in the Adri-
attic for others for many years, and was
well known as brave and honest cap
tain in those seas. But not many weeks
passed before news reached us that all
was lost" Her utterance became thick
with sobs, but speedily overcoming her
emotion she continued: CA letter came
from father. 1t told us only too plainly
what misfortune had overtaken him.
One morning, when least expecting
such a mishap, he was attacked by pi-
rates. He made a desperate resistance,
but was eventually overpowered and
taken prisoner. They carried him to
Tripoli. The sum which is demanded for
his ransom is so exorbitant that it will
be impossible for him to ever raise it. In
his letter he adds that we must therefore
reiinquish all hopes of eyer seeing him
again" The girls eyes were blinded
with tears, and for some moments she
could not speak, but by painful effort, she
succeeded at last "We are striving, by
every honest means in our power, to col
lect the money 1t is hard fight. This
is only very modest little cafe, and our
profits are very small. Prosper gains a
few extra francs every week with his
boat in the harbor, but many more years
must pass before we can hope to accom-
plsh this trying task"
How long" the stranger asked, "has
your father been prisoner?
"Ten years."
"Is it possible 2"
81 was fifteen when he went away. AT
parting he kissed me on both cheeks"
continued Nina smiling thoughtfullY.
"Now am twenty-five"
"Poor child !" said the stranger with
great tenderness.
"During these years we have managed
to save nearly three thousand francs.
Perhaps in ten more years, if we are very
fortunate, we shall be able to complete
the sum, and father will be sitting in the
old corner where youare seated now, as
remember seeing him when was child"
While she was still speaking that dreamy
look, which the stranger had observed al
ready, began gradually to reappear in her
dark eyes, and she seemed gradually to
lose herself in thought.
The stranger, who felt that his presence
at her side was forgotten, rose from his
seat with suppressed sigh, and, crossing
to where Nina's brother and the fisher
men still played at dominoes, he placed
his hand upon the boatman's shoulder.
"Monsicur Prosper he said, it is almost
time we started. But before We go let US
drink glass together" he added looking
around, " if your friends will join us so
much the better"
The fishermen expressed themselves
agreeable. So Prosper filled glasses all
round. Every one rose, "clinked =" with
the stranger and wished him bon voyages
Then Prosper Cornillon assisted mon
sieur" to envelope himself once more in
bis cloak, while Nina came timidly for
ward to his proffered hand and bid him
adieu. And then out they stepped into
the wind and rain, followed by the fisher
men. leaving Nina all alone in the cafe,
with her hands clasped and wistful look
in her eyes.
Mo~co;llo. To-