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


london WoTld.
THE TWO STRANGERS.
1-TnE YOUNG SOLDIER.
twas n rough winters night. a slight sou'wester
had been blowing all day long bu, since the sun had
gone down and II had grown dark heavy gusts fell
bostcr0usly up and down the narrow old streets of
Marseillcs, as though they had lost their way Many
OF the principal thOtOughfaros appeared compare
lively deserted, IA II the storm had driven most peo-
pie home Those who yet remained out Of doors
seemed to be bent upon, reaching their domiciles
with all possible speed. There was one solitary
cepton-.a tall. powerfully built MAINLAND upon hin
a gust OF wind had little more effect than upon
solid rock developed In q thick black cloak, with
military cap drawn down tightly over his forehead.
he walked along at slow, measured step. Iicncvcr
once turned his head, even when the wind cast
singing splash OF rain full In the face lie was
erect, and strobe forward In such steady manner,
that one would have supposed the weather absent
crossed the road and stepped along the gangway, 40
close TO the edge OF the basin that by stretching out
s "n ess aH co s h nave ,ougneu Inc %,
broad daylight when walking so close to the edge
would nave been great, but upon this pch-tars,
windy night false step meant certain death In the
dock below.
Presently small boat, dlmly visible by the light
from lantern attached TO the bow came slowly TO-
ward a landing place several yards ahead. When
the boat touched the wall of the basin the man
guicSened his pace and reaching the sno looked
"Prosper Cornillon," replied voice. The voice
appeared to come from figure in the boat which
rcsembled black shadow In the darkness.
ais your boat for hirc?'
Eyes, monsieur"
There was q short pause. Then the stranger, with
soupcon OF command In his tone, said: 81 shall
want you tonight, but not yet"
The boatman, having meanwhile made fast his
boat, took the lantern out of the bow and climbed
slowly up the steep wooden steps.
"Dncs the Cafe Cornon, on this quay, belong to
your
cit is mine and my SISTERS" Prosper replied
"That is lucky" said the stranger in n more
cheerful voice 81 will sup ut your cafe before we
start"
Prosper Cornillon led the way, holding the lantern
so that the light was thrown directly in their path.
houses facing the quay. The frontage one large
window with small panes of glass, like n conscrva-
tory. Through the clean white muslin curtains
light was shining which Illuminated limited space
of the roadway. Stepping forward, Prosper held
open the door OF the cafe for the stranger to enter.
and low.pitched like u cabin on board sim, with
small wooden tables and chairs arranged against the
walls. Some half-dozen persons, who looked like
fishermen, were seated near the window, drinking
coffee and cognac and playing at dominocs. They
glanced IN for moment and returncdt the strangers
salute. and then continued their game. At the
further end Of the cafe was an open hearth with a
IRE burning brightly In the ccntrc near this hearth,
engaged IN some culinary operations, stood young
girl. She turned when the door opened, and an eN-
preston OF surprise. mixed with curiosity gathered
In her face ms the stranger advanced and politely
"Nna," said Prosper Cornillon, looking from the
girl toward the customer, "th,s gentleman has hired
the boat but he wishes for a little supper before
starting"
The stranger nodded a,,pprovingly. "Bcforc sun
per, strokng his dark beard and looking with keen
eyes into the strangers face.
"Thc Livadia."
The girl looked up with distant, dreamy express
sion In her eyes. "That Ship" said she as though
speaking her thoughts aloud, rather than addressing
herself to any one, "that ship is bound for some
Greek port"
"For syra,'' said the stranger promptly. while at
the same he removed his cloak and sat down at n
table near the hearth.
Prosper Cornillon turned away and joinedthe fish,
ermen at the other end OF the cafe. Like n true
cdretiej, he was soon laughing with the customers,
taking hand at dominoes, and calling to his sister
Nina TO serve him. as though he were a customer
too.
Meanwhile the stranger sat in silence, waiting for
his supper, with his back leaning against the wall
and his legs stretched out toward the fire He was
dressed In the uniform Of a French colonel, though
only man of twenty-eght or thirty at the utmost.
lie had handsome, expressive face his ewes fire.
quenty Frightening with some passing thought. But
when he turned his glance upon Nina his look grew
serious aud sympathetic.
Few could have resisted studying the face of Nina
Cornillon, not merely account of its beauty, but
because some trouble, sustained with brave resolu-
ton, was portrayed In every feature. That dreami-
ness In the eyes, already referred to. which seemed
to Indicate that her thoughts were wandering far
beyond the port of Marseillcs, was seldom sup
the conversation ceased her look appeared to sink
away again into the distance, while n smile would
break pensively upon her lips and tears gliscn upon
her long black lasbcs.,
Scarcely q word passed between the stranger and
Nina Cornillon until the supper was cleared away.
when Is monsieur lit his cigar and drew his chair
closer toward the hearth. But when the girl had
served the customary cup of coffee aud was pouring
tell you, lnadeno!selle, where your thoughts are
trayeling?"
The grl looked with puzzled expression into the
strangers face. "SOu would indeed he Magician
said she, "if you could"
"Your thoughts" said he, are travelling along the
Nina started and changed color. For while she
seemed too troubled TO speak. Seating herself in
front OF the hearth, she looked thoughtfnlly into the
fire.
"If mademoiselle will trust me-" the stranger
presently remarked in soft Tone even though she
might wish u message taken to her lover, | will
promise to execute any Grand faithfully"
The girl glanced up with u touch of Indignation in
her face. BIT suddenly dropping her eyes. she
said, with deep blush on her cheeks, 81 have no
lover"
The stranger looked grave; and, as though con-
scous OF having made u hinder, he fastened to
change the subject 81 will not try any further to
read your Thoughts. But tell me, he added, "why
when he has such excellent little cafe to attend
to? j. seems to me that the work is too severe for
you all by yourself"
"Ah, monsieur, You wonld not say that cXclaimed
Nina, vi you only knew how anxiouswe both are to
Thestrangcr could not conceal look of surprise
Such sentiments, uttered In such an avaricous tone
by homely girl like Nina. appeared inconsistent
@sa warf to sae a& p
VIII be glad g when you can afford to retire from
nm no monsieur, Tnot ia not what moan,
When ya have aecnmulated 10 oao frnpcs 90 sh
nart win the money and Then, ".' wv ''''
~ rhnn nodnmnscle ~
uWn al al, hegIn again - continual Nina u,i,h
,ioh hnarts. for II No aver saws that s' wa ,a
M rcbnsc n,r fother,s Iihorty " '''' Sum We val"
~ What ~ cried Tho stponGcr ,roa,,v naval ella
=, possihIc that Wv "'""s''' s''"'' '''''' IN
"Hush" Nina whispered, with her finger to her
,rnthcr and his comnaninns were oaa,n mror ,bair
game "Wheneyer prosper hcsrs '' ths subiect
,nnntinned no 10 lite ,na1n,nn " I, ,ros, @
monsomr this terrible aas,"r ~ bi,, az s
irou vn, . ,o " ,,nsnr n, ny, na un,
urn r yS n I ~ ali S h nnu WI" tel yo" III ie"
WIS NV, NV ,m , =. a., nappe"ua. . what, ain, ,
, nno trs, o,'ie W., NEARER 70 una sac, anu
umed an crnressnn az iS;ann dn s 'so ~.
nn OF '"fi@''o" VI ih'ehse oohoo'" IN h"c
IN n, ,, ,ro,,o,,, ,o,o, H., ,oors ,,o oils,
om,,nJ h ~, va, ., Wy E,a-
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8. il NM ~ ot y, f,ms s 'y, MIN ns ossan
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lila .nin e ondent ,ha,s III Sn nn, sr sn II, H
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