Springfield globe-republic. (Springfield, Ohio) 1884-1887, 1886-12-30

sumptuous, magisterial coachman re-
strained pair of fiery thoroughbreds. A
second later the horses started and the
binding glitter of the polished harness
disappeared from view in the golden re-
fections of beautiful sun.
Enraged at having missed for the second
time so fine al opportunity for seeing
Nine. Gre.Orio threw myself upon the
obstinate valiss and, with such deter
mined energy, that il closed in second.
"Why, have you packed SO soon'" cried
q voice at the door, and looking up from
my work saw standing upon tho thresh-
old the man of whom ] had been think
ing.
"And your knee" he continued, ais It
better or wOrsey'
Better, of course Present my COM
piiments to your wife and say that her
remedy was magical. failed to see her
when she arrived while ago, she was
with you, of course'"
Failed to see her!' he repeated, with
look of bewilderment clouding his face.
"HOw did it happen' Why, | counted
upon presenting you to Nine. GregOrio at
breakfast, but since you are going away
we must defer it until another time. BY
the way. we shall meet at Hyeres; / have
spoken TO Lucie about it and she is anX
ious to GO"
"H ow did you find the Bois to-day"
Delightful; the crisp air, the brilliant
sunshine, the wild but soundless gallop
of the horses over the carpet Of snow ex
hilarated Lucic like q draught of wine. I
could hardly get her home. Really, NJ.
Biron," continued Gregorio 1.-The exag-
gerated curiosity Of the public about my
wife is beginning 10 give rle great annoy
ance; that is why always travel in my
own carriage. cannot 80 ten steps with
Lucie on my arm before we are surrounded
with q crowd. She seems to exercise
over others the same fascination she does
over me The delicate lines of her figure
are so slight, so fragile, that tn ~ can only
be described by that untranslatable Eng
lish word ethereal Had you seen her
walking under the maple trees this morn
ing, as light, as graceful as piece of
thistle down, perhaps you would have
understood. perhaps have felt, like the
people who followed US, the attraction Of
this aerial being"
"Ah, my dear Gregorio," responded,
''you ere only in love, msdly in love; but
present my regrets to your wife and say
i
while at Hyeres"
"Dnn voyage, my friend" cried Gre
gorio heartily, and with cordial clasp Of
the hand we parted for the time being
Thus it was that | quilted the hotel
without ever having seen the incompar
able woman whose husband adored her rs
it happens few women are ever adored in
this world.
One morning, about two weeks after
my departure from Paris, | was standing
Mt the open window OF my room contem-
plating the Eden of La Provence, Hyeres.
which Lamartine graphically styles ''an
oasis, an exquisite miniature Orient"
Lying beneath the shadow of the spread
ing palms, the sloping hillside and fertile
valleys of this ancient watering place Of
France are covered always with the
greenest and most luxuriant vegetation.
In the distance sleeps the sea, not limit
less vista of water without bounds and
without horizon, but n sea like . calm
blue lake, inclosed in circling rings by
the Golden Isle, and which recalls to the
memory the laughing gulfs of the distant
Egean. Astounded by the contrast be-
tween the snow covered street Of the capi
tai and this marvellous panorama of
beauty, ones soul becomes peaceful and
serene. 1t is happiness enough simply tc
live in the face of this rich plenitude Of
nature.
Suddenly, while stood at the window,
my door was thrown open with . crash
and the waiting woman Of the house, for
getful for once Of her cringing ObsequiOus-
ness, rushed into the room. "Oh, N.
Biron," she cried, "a French traveller
stopping at tho Hotel d'Europe has met
with such a frightful fall at the old
chateau. They are bringing him homo on 9
litter and they say nothing can save him.
was soon on my way to the hotel in
dicated. The sad procession had just ar
rived. The wounded man. carried hastily
to his room, had regained consciousness
but was suffering tortures"
do you know the gentleman, q NJ.
Gregorio, from Dijonr' asked the man
ager Of the house. as he respectfully met
me at the door.
M. GregoriO from Dion, Why. Of
course l know him"-and regardless of
my strangling asthma bounded up the
stairase and entered the apartment Of my
poor friend, q suite of light and spacious
rooms Oh the second floor The vast guam
titles or bouquets and plants scattered
about on tables and stands showed what
Sacrifices Of time and money Gregorio had
already made TO hls wife's passion for
flowers.
Begging the manager. who had followed
me to the room, TO prevent any one enter
ing but the doctor, knelt beside the bed
You would never have known by looking
at Gregorio that he had suffered this ter
rible fall. Entirely conscious, he recog-
nized me the momenthe saw me.
why, N. Biron, he said in feeble
voice, is that yous II is well You came
so soon. Lucie and had promised our.
selves to 60 and see you this very day,
but do not touch me, beg of you," he
cried. as stopped to arrange his pillows.
~ should scream with agony and do
not wish to waken Lucie-she is there"
and he turned his eyes to the right l
understood that IL was in that chamber
h's wife reposed.
"a do not know how 1t happened" he
answered IN response to my questions.
II was standing upon the broken battle
ments OF the chateau and suddenly fell
like a stone. must have had dizziness
I suffer agonies, my bones are all broken.
~ "ds os AAc hACASy Va "cA Nhes sse~-S
was not with ME; feeling indisposed to-
day she preferred to remain in her cham
Der. II she awakens and finds me in this
condition II viii kill her"
Don't talk, Gregorio," l entreated.
"Wait until DR.. Delarue arrives; he has
been sent for. Meantime I'll turn the
key in your wife's door; later on she shall
be told OF the accident"
~ understand. You are kind, but pre-
pare her as gently as you can, " and he
fixed upon tho door, beyond which his
wife lay sleeping. alook SO full of tender
ness that / felt myself most painfully
affected.
At this moment the door into the cor
ridor opened and DR.. Delarue entered the
room. He was q small man, with white
hair and very benevolent countenance.
They tell me you have had a serious
fall Greporio ~ said he cheerfully ap-