St. Landry democrat., 1885-04-18

-
member, perhaps, few weeks ago, en-
tertaining young soldier who PASSED
through this port on his way to Greece
Your brother conveyed him in his boat
SYRIA.
| Il remember the gentleman WE'LL
said Nina, in faltering voice. ''He
gave Prosper a piece of gold before
parting to sustain us in our efforts to
collect large sum of money which is
demanded by a Greek pirate as a ran
som for our fathers iberty.''
ut is from this young soldier, Colonel
Lafont,' y continued the old sailor, .'that
| bring the message.
Nina looked round quickly, with
sparkling eager eyes. ''What is the
message, monsieur?n
''Well," answered the old man.
speaking slowly, s'his words to you-I
mean to Prosper Cornillion = were
words of encouragement. You must
never despairi That was how the
young Colonel expressed it. Because,
as he argued, the day might not be far
distant when your father would be
set free.'
"With her eyes bent thoughtfuIly
upon the fire, Nina said: "a very kind
message. How good of him to think of
me!''
=, The message was to Prosper Cor
nillon.''
ITO think, I should say, of my broth
er Prosper But
But" continued the old man, at
have not finished yet.''
What more, monsieur?''
'Ihe old sailor, lowering his tone
and speaking as though he had diff
Guilty in not betraying some agitation.
continued: 1T was the Colonel's hone
that neither of you would be de
spondent-that you would rather in
duige the fancy that you had heard
that the ransom demanded bv this
Greek pirate had been paid-that YOUR
father had regained his liberty-that
he had even started on his voyage
home, and was nearing the port of
Marseilles-'
Nina clasped her hands and cried, in
trembling voice: ''That is what /
dream of night and day!''
Imagine, then, even imagine that
the ship has reached Marseilles- that it
has entered the harbor. Nay! figure
to yourself though it may make Your
heart beat painfully-fgure to yourself |
a Weather-beaten sailor entering your
cafe late one EVENING" man with a
gray beard and shaky voice.
Hut at this point the old sailor was
interrupted. Looking round, Nina ut
tered cry of joy and sprang up with
outstretched arms and the word
''Fathern upon her lips.
1t was Captain Cornillon who had
come thus as a terribly trying surprise.
Yet he was so changed that even Nina
lad not recognized him. But the
recognition was complete now. So,
aking his daughter in his embrace, the
I'D sailor kissed her as he had kissed
Ter at their parting ten long years ago.
Not many weeks elapsed before Colo
lel Lafont again made his appearance
It Marseilles. Prosper who happened
0 be in the harbor at the moment of
lis arrival, accompanied him in triumph :
o the Cafe Cornillon as soon as he
anded.
Nothing could exceed the gratitude
7hlch was shown by the Captain and
is two children towards this young
older, who, on reaching Greece, had :
AIKEN active steps to obtain the old
ailors release. Years. passed before
lima learned under what difficulties 1
'olonel Lafont formed the resolution s
restoring Captain Cornillon to his !
smily. For he was not rich man; a
e had gained promotion from the T
anks as a reward of bravery; and when c
e had paid the ransom, he had parted il
18th nearly all the money he possessed $
! the world. But he loved Nina Cor n
illon. From the moment when, upon a
lat stormy winters night, Colonel La d
mt entered the cafe and saw the girl
anding by the hearth, he had never v
eased to think of the dreamy face, t!
Or of the low, passionate voice in a
hich she had told to him the sad epi. a
de in her life. r.
These events happened many years il
20, and Nina and her husband, Colo a
Il Alphonse Lafont - who became Il
General before he was forty-should ca
old people now, if they are still al
ing, but one thing is certain-on the al
lay at Marseilles there still stands the h
tie cafe in appearance unchanged. a
cept that it is called Cafe Cornillon y
longer. Chambers Journal
-4s-S-&.-- b,
He ApoIogized. R
A story is told of Naugatuck man =
4. 4