St. Landry democrat., 1885-04-18


thoughts aloud rather than addressing
herself to any one, ''that ship is bounC
for some Greek port"
For Syra, said the stranger, prompt
: ly, while at the same time he removed
his cloak and sat down at table neal
the hearth.
Prosper Cornillon turned away and
joined the fishermen at the other end OF
the cafe. Like a true cafetier, he was
soon laughing with the customers, tax.
ing hand at dominoes, and calling to
his sister Nina to serve him. as though
he were customer, too.
Meanwhile, the stranger sat in silence,
waiting for his supper, with his back
leaning against the wall and his legs
stretched out towards the fire. He was
dressed in the uniform of French
Colonel, though only man of twenty
eight or thirty at the utmost. He had
a handsome, expressive face, his eyes
frequently Frightening. with some pass
ing thought But when he turned his
/ glance upon Nina, his look grew serious
and sympathetic.
Few could have resisted studying the
face of Nina Cornillon, not merely on
account of its beauty, but because some
| trouble, sustained with brave resolution,
was portrayed in every feature. That
dreaminess in the eyes, already referred
| to, which seemed to indicate that her
thoughts were wandering far beyond
| the port of Marseil1es, was seldom sup
pressed except when she was spoken to;
| and when the conversation ceased, her
look appeared to sink away again into
the distance, while smile would break
pensively upon her lips and tears glisten
upon her long black lashes.
Scarcely word passed between the
stranger and Nina CorniIlon until the
supper was cleared away, when
monsieur lit his cigar and drew his
chair closer towards the hearth. But
when the girl had served the customary
cup OF coffee and was pouring out the
petit UeTre. the gentleman remarked:
''Shall tell you, mademoiselIe, where
your thoughts are travellingP''
The girl looked with puzzled ex-
preston into the strangers face you
would indeed be magician" she said,
''if you could
''Your thoughts said he s.are
travelling along the shores of Greece
Nina started and changed color. For
awhile she seemed too troubled to
speak. Seating herself in front of the
hearth, she looked thoughtfuliy into the
fire.
IF mademoiselle will trust me-" the
stranger presently remarked in soft
tone, "even though she might wish a
taken to her lover, l will
promise to execute any errand faith
fully"
The girl glanced up with touch of
Indignation in her face. But suddenly
dropping her eyes, she said, with deep
blush on her cheeks, 'Ihave no lover. .
The stranger looked grave; and as
though conscious of having made blum
Ter. he hastened to change the subject
Il will not try any further to read your
thoughts. But tell me-" he added,
why does your brother keep boat !
or hire in the harbor when he has such j
IN excellent little cafe to attend TOP It
eems to me that the work is too severe
or you all by yourself" !"
"Ah, monsieur, you would not say
hat, !" exclaimed Nina, 'sif you only :
new how anxious we both are to make :
money" :
The stranger could not conceal look 9
# surprise. Such sentiments, uttered I
n such an avaricious tone by an humble s
.irl like Nina, appeared inconsistent Y
on mean, perhaps" he limited ''that i
ou do not find it congenial work to r
eep cafe, and that you viii be clad +
1hen you can afford to retire from
Il
Oh, no. monsieur! That is not what t.
meant. When we have accumulated q
1000 francs, we shall part with the o
loney; and then v
Then, mademoiselle?' n
We shall begin again. continued t.
ina, with light hearts; for if we ever b
I'VE that sum we can purchase our il
Lther's liberty . Il
What" cried the stranger, greatly W
loved. :" Is it possible that 81
" Husht' Nina whispered, with her W
niger to her lip, as she glanced around in
! the table where her brother and his
'mpanlons were seated over their "
ame. Whenever Prosper hears this
lbject mentioned he is like madman. "
1t interests you, monsieur, this terri
g disaster which has befallen us. draw fe
,ur chair closer, and | will tell YOU in i'll
few FEY, words how it all happened su
Ihe stranger came nearer to Nina's pi
te, and leaned forward in d listening to
titude. His face assumed an ex7 W
esssion of intense concern as she pro- sa
eded. 81,
In low voice, frequently choked by Le
ars, the girl confided to the sympa- Sc
etc stranger her sad story. ALWAYS of
xlous to assist his family Nina be- alb
n, 1T one day occurred to father to
y vessel, for the purpose of trading no
ing the coast Of the Adriatic. So he