The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1885-09-13
AT THE CAFE CORNILLON.


1t was rough winters night. A Sigh
sou'wester had been blowing all day long
but since the sun had gone down and
had grown dark, heavy gusts fell bolster
ously mp and down the narrow old street
of Marseilles, as though they had lost thei
way. Many of the principal thorough
fares appeared comparatively deserted, a
though the storm had driven most peopl
home Those who yet remained out o
doors seemed to be bent on reaching thei
homes with all pc ssible speed. There wa
one solitary exception tall, powerful,
built man; and upon him gust of vino
had little more effect than upon solit
rock developed in a thick black cloak
with military cap drawn down tightly
over his forehead, he walked along at s
slow measured gait. He never once turned
his head, even when the wind cast sting
ing splash of rain full in bis face. He was
so erect, and strobe forward in such 6
steady manner, that one would have sup
posed the weather absent from his
thoughts. When he reached the quay he
crossed the road and Stepped along The
gapgWay SO close to the: edge of the basin
that by stretching out-liis hand he could
have touched the rigging of the. large
vessels as he passed. The danger, even in
broad daylight, when walking so close to
the edge, would have been great; but
upon this pitch-dark, windy night, false
step meant certain death in the dock below
Presently a small boat, fimly visible by
the light from a lantern attached to the
bow, came slowly toward landing-place
several wards ahead When She boat
touched the wall of the basin the man
uuickened his pace, and on reaching the
spot looked down and demanded. Who
goes there?"
ssProsper Cornillon, replied a voice
which appeared to come from figure in
the boat. that resembled black shadow
in the darkness. 49,
.ss.Is your boat for hire?" ~ So g
.sYes, Monsieur" & ~
There was a short pause. Then the
stranger with soupeon of command in
his tone, said: II shall want you tonight,
but not yet.
The boatman, having meanwhile made
fast his boat. tookihe lantern out fof the
bow and climbed slowly up the steep
wooden steps.
s'Does the Cafe Cornillon, on this quay,
belong to your"
SIT is mine and my sisters Prosper re
piled
THAT is lucky" said the stranger, in a
more cheerful voice; Il will sup at your
cafe before we start"
!. Prosper Corniliefi led theyyay, holding
the lantern SO That the light was thrown
directly in their path.
The Cafe Cornillon stood in the centre
of row of houses facing the quay. The
frontage was one large window with small
panes of glass, like conservatory.
Through the clean white muslin curtains
a light was. shining which illuminated
limited space of the roadway. Stepping
forward Prosper held open Che door ofthe
cafe for the stranger to enter. 1t was
snug. unpretending little cafe; long, mar
row and ow-pitched, like cabin on
board ship, with small wooden tables and
chairs arranged along the walls. Some half
dozen persons, who looked like fishermens
were seated near the window, drinking
coffee and coguac, and playing at domi-
noes. They glanced up for moment and
returned the strangers salute and then
continued their game. At the further end
of the cafe was an open hearth with fire
burning brightly in tile cedtre; near this
hearth. engaged in some. culinary opera
tions, stood young. gid. She turned
when the door opened, and an expression
of surprise mingled with curiosity gathered
in her face as the stranger advanced and
politely raised his cap.
"Nina," said Prosper Cornillon, looking
from the girl toward the customer, this
gentleman has hired the boat, but he
wishes for little supper before starting"
The stranger noddedapprovingly. BE
fore sunrise must be on board. :"
1.-THE name OF the ship, -inonsieurap
asked Prosper, strokiDg his dark beard
and looking with kceueyes iuto the face
of the stranger.
.The. Livadia."
The girl looked up with a Distant
dreemy expression in her eyes. "That
shin" said she, as though speaking her
thoughts aloud, rather than addressing
some Greek port.
"For Syra," said the stranger promptly,
while at the same time he, removed his
cloak and sat down at a table near the
hearth.
Prosper Cornillon turned away and
Joined the fishermen at the other end OF
the cafe. Like a true ca fetier he was soon
laughing with the customers, taking a
hand at, The dominoes, and calling to his
sister Nina TO serve him, as though ne
were customer, too.
Meanwhile, the stranger sat in silence,
waiting for his supper, with his back Lean
ing against the wall, and his legs stretched
out toward the fire. He was dressed in
the uniform of a French Colonel, though
only a man of % or 80 at the utmost He
had handsome, expressive face, his eyes
frequently Frightening at some passing
thought. But when he turned his glance
upon Nina his look grew serious and SYM
pathetic. sEasEk ~
Few could have resisted studying the
face of Nina Cornilon, not merely on
account of it's beauty but because some
trouble, sustained with brave resolution,
was portrayed ia every feature. That
dreamiuess in the eyes, already referred
to. which seemed to indicate that her
thoughts were wandering far away from
the port of MaIseilles, was seldom sup
pressed, except when she was spoken to;
and when the conversation ceased her look
appeared ito sink away again ipto the dis.
tahce, while d smile would break Epensiyely
on her lips and teafs glisten upon herlohg
black lashes.
Scarcely a word passed between the
stranger and Nina Cornillon until the sup
Der was cleared away, when monsieur
lit his cigar and, drew his chair closer
toward the hearth. But when the girl
had served the customary cup of coffee
and was pouring. out the petit .ve,ve, the
gentleman remarkeds Shall 4 tell you.
mademoiselle, where your thoughts are
traveling?"
The girl looked with puzzled expires.
sion into the strangers face. "You would
indeed be magician" said she, if you
could.p III 1TF
DYourl thoughts'' said. be, "are travel
ineaIon9 the shores of Greece" ssll.
Nina Started and changed cdlof. Fol
awhile she seemed too troubled to speak;
seating herself in front of the hearth, she
looked thoughtfully into the fire.
sIf mademoisetie will trust me-" tbs
stranger presently teanarkeds lin a soft tone,
seven though she might wish message