St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-05-31

Der, perhaps, a few weeks ago, entertaining
young soldier who passed through this port
on his way to Greece. Your brother con-
veyed him in his boat on board the Livadia,
ship bound for Syria"
81 remember the gentleman WE'LL" said
Nina in a faltering voice. HE gave Pros
per piece of gold before starting, to sus-
tain us in our efforts to collect the large sum
of money which is demanded by Greek
pirate as ransom for our fathers lib
erty."
''It is from this young soldier, Col. La
font" continued the old sailor, s'that
bring the message"
Nina looked round quickly, with spark
ling, eager eyes. "What is the message,
mOnSieur"
''Well, answered the old man, speaking
slowly, ''his words to you'll mean to Pros
per COrnillon-were words OF encourage
ment. You mustnever despair! That was
how the young colonel expressed it. Be
cause, as he argued, the day might not be
far distant when your father would be sci
Free"
With her eyes bent thoughtfully upon
the fire Nina said: "a very kind message.
How good of him to think of me-"
1.-The message was to Prosper COrnll-
lon."
ITO think, should say of my brother
Prosper. But
But" continued the old man, 81 have
not finished YETI
''What more, monsieur"
The old sailor, lowering his tone and
speaking as though he had difficulty in not
betraying some agitation, continued: I'll
was the colonel's hope that neither of yor
would be despondent-that you woalc
rather indulge the fancy that you had hearc
that the ransom demanded by this pirate
had been paid-that your father had re-
gained his liberty-that he had ever
started on his voyage home,, and was near
ing the port of Mafseilles-"
Nina clasped her hands and cried, in {
trembling voice, s'That is what / dream o.
night and day."
Imagine, then, even imagine that thu
ship has reached Marseiiles-that it has en-
tered the harbor. Nay! figure to yourself
though it may make your heart beat pain
fully-fgure to yourself weather-beate1
sailor entering your cafe late one evening
man with gray beard and a shaky voice
But at this point the old sailor was inter
rupted. Looking around, Nina uttered
cry of joy and Sprang up with OutStretcheC
arms and the word father upon her lips
1t was Capt. Cornillon who had come
thus as terrible trying surprise. Yet hi
was so changed that even Nina had not rec
Ognized him. But the recognition was com
plete. So taking his daughter in his EN-
brace, the old sailor kissed her as he ha(
kissed her at their parting ten long year:
ago.
Not many weeks elapsed before Col. La
font again made his appearance at Mar
settles. Prosper, who happened to be il
the harbor at the moment Of his arrival, &C
companied him in triumph to the Cafe
COrnillOn as soon as he landed.
Nothing could exceed the gratitude which
was shown by the captain and his two chill
dren toward this young soldier, who, OF
reaching Greece, had taken active steps tt
obtain the old sailors release. Years passet
before Nina learned under what difficultie.
Col. Lafont formed the resolution OF restor
ing Capt. Cornillon to his family. For he
was not a rich man; he had gained promo
ton from the ranks as a reward OF bravery
and when he had paid the ransom he ha(
parted with nearly all the money he pos
sessed in the world. But he loved Nina
COrnillon. From the moment when, upol
that stormy winters night, Col. LafOnt en-
tered the cafe and saw the girl standing by
the hearth, he had never ceased to think o.
the dreamy face, nor of the low, passion
ate voice in which she had told to him thu
sad episode in her life.
These event have happened many year.
ago, and Nina and her husband, Col. AL
phonso Lafont-who had became genera
before he was 4O-should be old people nov
if they are still living. But one thing il
certain-on the quay at Marseilles there still
stands the little cafe, in appearance I'M
changed except that it is called the Cafe
Cornillon no longer.