The Sunday herald. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1866-1887, 1885-04-12

but her great dreamy eyes were wide open, for,
although late In the evening, was not yet the hour
customer might enter, and some customers, il Nina
was not very wakeful and attentive, were apt to
grow impalient indeed, she had scarcely less peace
ami quieness during the twenty -four hours than her
brother Prosper. Al the moment when II became 40
late that Nina on the point OF rising to turn out
the lamps and lock up for the night the door was
slowly opened. An old sailor in 4 rough coat, the
collar OF which was turned up about his neck, mys-
teriously entered the cafe. He touched his souch-
ing hat with his sunburnt, horny hand in feeble,
hesltatlng manner; then choosing table near the
hearth, opposite to the one upon which prosper's
his long white beard thoughtfully, without raising
MS e %i,S w,o, ,rors,.or o,r sorvovor,,
The old man answered In a low voice, with his
head still bent: "Cafe noir."
Nina FASTENED 70 place Gup OF coffee before him,
she resumed her sea, before the hearth The girls
chair was placed with the back toward the door.
ON one side OF her was the table ut which the old
man sat SLIPPING his Coffee aud on the other side
Prosper, still fast asleep. Looking ireamily into the
IRE Nina seemed to have forgotten the presence OF
both these men, so deeply was she absorbed In her
"Thls is the Cafe Cornillon, Is it moi 2" asked the
old man.
Nina started ~ though the voice had awakened
her. eyes, monsieur" answered the girl, rccocci-
ing herself and looking up quckly--"ihc cafe Cor
nillon"
Kept by Prosper Cornllon ~
"Slceping there" continued Nina, with little
Jerk OF her head.
"Ah,n said the old sailor, 81 am the bearer of
message"
"To him?"
"Yes-to Prosper Cornon.'
"Shall rouse him 2"
"No. will deliver the message to YOU"
"1t Is the same thing said the girl. with pretty
shtug OF her shoulders. 81 am his sister,
"Nlna Cornillon?m
Yves; that IL my name
The old man leaned forward, but still without rails
Ing his eyes, ana said, In hoarse, ndstinct voice.
You may remember, perhaps, few weeks ago
entertaining young soldier who passed through THIS
him In hts boat on hoard the Livada, . ship bound
for SYRIA"
faltering voice. "Ilc gave Prosper piece of gold
before parting 10 sustain us in efforts to collect
the large sum of money which is demanded 10y u
creek pirate rs ransom for our fathers liberty"
Is from this young soldier, Col. Lafon,,' CON
tnged the old sailor, tina, bring the message"
Nina looked round quickly, with sparkling, eager
eyes I" What In the message, monscur?n "
"Wen,n answered the old man, speaking SLOWLY,
This words TO you'll mean to Prosper Cornllon-
were words OF encouragement. You must never de-
spairl That was how the young colonel expressed
i, because as he argued. the day might moi he far
with her eyes bent thoughtfuy upon the fire,
to think OF mel"
"The message was to Prosper Cornillon.'
~, ITO think, should say, OF my brother Prosper
SHUT, continued the old man, al have no, finished
YETI
"What more, monsieur"
The old sailor, lowering his tone and speaking as
though he had difficulty In not betrayng some agita
tion, continued: cit was the coonei's hope that
neither OF you would be dcspondent that YOU would
ransom demanded by this creek pirate had been
paid; that your father had regained his liberty that
he mad even started on his voyage home, and was
nearing the port OF Marsclles-"
Nina clasped her hands and cried, In trembling
voice, THAT Is what dream Of night and day!'
reached Marseies-,hat 1t has entered the harhor
Nay! figure to yourselt-though II may make your
heart heat pantully-ngure to yourself a weather.
ypl III q Int nj
man with a gray beard and shaky voice.
But at this point the old sailor was interrupted
Looking round, Nina uttered cry OF JOY and sprang
up with onts,retched arms and the word Z" Father!n
upon her lips.
1t was Capt. Cornlllon who had come thus rs a
terribly trying surprise. Yet he was changed that
even Nina had not recognized him. But the recog
milton was complete now. So, taking his daughter
In his embrace, the old sailor kissed her he had
kissed her at their parting ten long years ago.
Not many weeks elapsed before Col. Lafont again
made his appearance at Marseilles. Prosper, who
happened to he In the harb0r at the moment of his
arrival. accompanied him IN triumph to the Cafe
Cornllon as soon as he landed.
Nothing could exceed the gratitude which was
shown by the captain and his two children toward
this young soldier, who, on reaching Greece, had
taken active steps to obtain the old sailors release.
Years pissed before Nina learned under what dill
cuties Col Lafont formed the resolution Of restoring
Capt. Cornillon TO his family. For he was not a rich
reward of bravery, and when he had paid the ransom
he had parted with nearly all the money he pos
sessed In the world. But he loved Nina Cornillon.
From the moment when upon that stormy winters
night Col Latont entered the cafe and saw the girl
standing by the hearth he had ceased to think
of the dreamy face nor OF the low passionate voice
In which she had told TO him the sad episode in her
life.
These events happened many years ago, and Nina
and her husband, Col. Aphonse Lafont-who was
general before lie was forty-shoud be Old people
now, II they are still living. But thing is Ger
tan-On the quay at Marseles there still stands the
little cafe in appearance unchanged, except that II is
called Cafe COrnillon no Observation-Disclosures