Wichita eagle., 1886-11-17

W ItLJCSS uiItASE OUT IOOA
At this very little old woman, with 9
figure as stiff as a ramrod, but still fresh and
smiling, appeared upon the threshold and
disappeared Immediately, Uurrnuring:
ooh, God. Is il possible! Monsieur the
judge"
@Ah, my good people," said Zacharias, in
truth you receive me too kindly"
Monsieur" replied tie forester, II you
forget tie good you have done others DO
not"
Well. if the truth must be told, Judge
Zacharias passed the evening with her1
Forster and his family. forgetful Of the in
o1lictudes Of Therese, his promise TO be at
home BY : O'Clock and lis old habits Of order
and submission
Imagine 10 yourself that humble sitting
room, with its ceilings streaked with brown
eirders, the round table in the midst with its
dish of trout and Plates Of fruit and honey,
yellow as gold, and worthy Papa Zacharias
presenting each in turn to Charlotte, who
dropped her eyes, astonished at the compi-
ments and tender words Of the old man
IAN, Monsieur Judge, you are too good"
said Christina. You do not know how much
vexation this little one gives Us. You VIII
spoil her with so many fine words"
Dame Christina, replied Zacharias, you
possess a treasure. Nile. Charlotte merits all
have said Of her"
Then Yeri, raising his glass, cried: TO the
nealth Of our good and venerable Judge
Zacharias," and all drank TO the toast.
-Ah.7 thought the judge, what happiness
it would nc to live here with Charlotte for
companion, at four steps fiom the river,
where one could throw in O line from time
to time and follow the chse with Father-in-
law Heri Forester, raising the echoes round
about. All what an existence
When the clock struck L he rose How
young and fresh lie felt! With what ardor
be would have placed 4 kiss on CharlOtte's
little hand, only ne must not Yet. He must
wait.
1T IS time for sleep, Master Ycri." SAID he.
+Good night and many thanks Tor your hos
pitality."
And TO sec him mount the nigh steps Of the
stairs one would have said he was but 20
years old But thcee twenty years lasted
OILY q quarter Of al hour, and. once in bed,
wilh the covers drawn Up to his chin, and
handkerchief knctted around his head, he
said to himself:
Sleep, Zacharias; you areyery tired. You
have great need OF sleep
1T O'Clock tie next morning lie awokc,
cbagrined at having slept 50
late after having boasted the evening before
OF his early rising, and coming down the
steep stair lie found only Dame Christina
awaiting him, the forester having gone about
his business in the wood and Charlotte to
haymaking. So, after q hasty breakfast. and
thanking Christina again for her kiIlIess, he
took the way back 10 tie City, 4 good deal
dis urbed as to how Thercse would receive
dim, but still chcrishing the thousand Il
lusion5 which had hatched in his soul ike a
late brood of linnets.
VIII not try to paint the reception which
the worthy housekeeper gave him; her re-
proaches, her rage even She had not shut
her eyes the whole night: she had imagined
him drowned in the river; she had sent tan
people to look for him. etc.
Monsieur Seller heard these complaints
with the san.a calrnness with which he had
formerly listened 70 the metaphors Of an ad
vocate pleading o lost Causo-he heard, but
said nothing.
BY the beginning OF autumn he had fallen
into such & habit OF being at the fcresters
house that one would have found him
oftener there than at home, and Yeri found
himself much embarrassed to refuse the
presents VIII Il the worthy magistrate begged
him to accept in return for his daily hosp
talitv. He would sha}-e his head sometimes
and sag to his wife:
i never knew better judge, a more
learned and respectable man than Monsieur
Seller, but I believe he IS out Of his mind.
Only the ether day he wanted to help me
build the hut for the titInousa, and then he
must also help Charlotte turn the hay, while
ell tho peasants laugh at him This is not
proper. Christina; but DO not dare to speak
to him, he is 50 much above Us.
LET him alone" answered Christina.
@Wilh a little milk and honey this good
Zacharias Is content lie likes to be with
Us, it IS 50 simple here, and then lie likes to
talk to our little daughter. Who knows but
that he may adopt her, and when he dies she
would be remembered in his will
The forester shrugged his shoulders His
natural sense made HIM divine some mystery,
hut be did not go to the length OF suspecting
the folly Of the cid judge. Cne fine morning
he saw descending the mountain wagon
laden with three barrels Of Rikevir wine.
This was Of az the presents he had received the
most acceptable to Yeri Forester, for CT al
things he liked a glass Of good wine. And
when he had tasted the wine he could not
help crying cut:
This good Zacharias Is the best man in the
world &c Charlotte, and make for hiTn &
bouquet Of the finest roses and 5asnineS in the
garden, and when he comes give it u him
yourself. God. what wine! What fire.
Zacharias followed close upon the heels Of
bis present ana felt himself more than re-
paid By the flowers which Charlotte fastened
to give him, while tie forester said cor
daily:
~I-o,: must take supper with Us and taste
your wine. Monsieur Seller. NJ wife is right
to call You our be1efactor.'
Zacharias. seated IT the table in tie open
al, his fishing pole against tie wall, Charlotte
opposite hi,a and the forester on the night,
began to talk OF his prospects for the future.
He had q pretty fortune, vel managed and
lie wanted 70 bay 800 acres OF woodland e.
the edge Of the valley and tGi,l fo-cster's
house on the hillside I'VE shall always be
together" s@id he TO Yeri. you with Ia Is
much Is I with you"
Mother Christina came il in Lov turn and
devised this thing and that Charlotte cp-
peared content and Zacharias imagined L II
self understood by these worthy people. md
be went to his chamber that night fun q the
most bliSsfGI illusions. putting OF til tie
next day his great declaration, doubling
nothing as to the result he held Chariotse's
bouquet IL his hand. and when Ee was alone
be fen to kissing 1t with eerusion, weeping
Ike ckild. and IIlurrnurin-:
"Zacharias, Zachar;as. You are going TO be
the hspQiest Of men, and. may i please God,
you VII renew your youth IN LtJie Lacha-
rias, or q little Charlotte who shall dance
upon your knees ard cS0eSs you with EeT
rosv h.tle Ean,i&" At tbs tie good man
stated himself. drunk with hops. rs c.oos
H. .--lu- IN 0-sN.s -