Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-09
"BON GARCON."

There is little corner In southern Italy
where Already still fingers Once was in
the habit Of spending every spring there, but
shall never go again. Yet it is to me the
most beautiful place in the world.
One lands at the Marina and climbs the
hill winding up, up, up the long white high
road, which is like shelf along the edge of
the cliff.
High above ones head hangs the mountain,
leaning forward stark and grim; below the
wall Of the road the ground falls sheer away
to the sea. One secs nothing but the great
shining plain and the threatening mountain.
Round and round curves the road between
those two silent watching enemies, till sud-
denly, without warning, one reaches the
plateau and comes out in land of desire.
It Is only to climb wall and then to walk
onward without let or hindrance through the
wheat fields under the olives, where the
young green wheat blades are like swords for
keenness, and their color strikes on the soul
like a song too sweet for words, and yet
brave withaL And below the wheat on the
lower terraces are the bean fields. sweet and
heavy, where a man may lie full length on
feel nothing but the warm odors, the little
winds over the blossoms, be conscious Of
nothing but tho glory of the wheat, the
Pickering shades of the gnarled olives in the
afternoon light, and if he lies still enough
the sound of the nightingale learning its
song. And yet he may be sick at heart
As L lay there the livelong April day,
neither reading nor thinking, nor grateful to
L. L. Il l.
but with my fingers in my ears to shut out
the sound of the nightingale who sang loud,
30 loudi
For, instead Of the young spring tide, I
saw nothing but woman, standing as at
first saw her, dressed In white from head to
foot, with bare arms and shoulders, wreath
of brown winter ivy round her golden head
and great garland Of it ON her gown.
There she stood and looked me in the eyes,
with straight grave glance.
Not the look she gave men as a rule;
found that out soon enough, for if ever there
was q woman coQuette, seduisante my Eng
lish is not good at best, it leaves me always
when speak of herr, it wes she-Suzon.
l used to watch her often as she talked to
men with that quick grace she had, and be-
ing used to analyz faces-it is my profess
sion for that matter, who ON a doctor-I
saw that she, whom most women hated for
her lovers, whom most men adored and
thought a soft, warm plaything, une vraie
femme, was In reality as cold as a stone
image.
1t was a very pretty play which went on
around her. with often change In the jeune
premier, but she did not oct In it herself
She piped carelessly and all her court
danced, but she grew neither warm nor
weary.
am not very sure how I came to be so
friendly with her; l think she began it.
But we fell into @ way Of walking over the
hills together and sitting on the cliffs in the
mondays, looking out over q sea Like the
glory of God for light and color; talking of
many things sometimes, sometimes quite
silent, lying in the sun; with my hat over
my eyes, drinking In the scents of the spring
cir. Just seeing the splendor Of bush OF yel-
low broom standing out against violet sea;
she with her head flung back on the short,
dry grasses, often enough cigarette In her
mouth.
AS the days went by we grew quietly
nearer ono another, insensibly, till one morn
ing asked her something.
The fact was, al the place was ringing
with her dotngs. The men with whom she
had amused herself for time, not all being
gentlemen, handled her name in the cafes
without too much courtesy. And the women
had always hated her for her beauty, her
toilets, her artistic reputation; young as she
was she had had mention at tho Salon
So / asked her if it really amused her sufi-
riently TO be worth the prico
She shook her head
When she was not painting she grew hor-
ribly ennuyee; she must do something. And
then it was not all her fault, she said.
at is to great extent" told her. "You
lead men on horribly mot me-oe nest pas Ia
peine-but most ncn). AS soon as they
make love TO you they disgust you, repel
you; you fling them over mono too gently,
and, well-entin, they talk"
She nodded. l fancy she knew quite well
what sort Of reputation she had. But pres
emily she said with amusement:
$50 you do not care about me-you!'
Il like you so much that do not like them
TO speak Of you as they do. You are always
bon garcon to me-" / cried, turning sharply
on her; why cannot you translate it liter
ally and be good boy alwaysi Drop your
coquetry, take life frankly; you would do
better
She did not answer.
The sun was hot, she began to look tired
and said she had work to do, she must go
home. l thought she did not like what had
said But / walked to her villa with her,
and SIS l stood IN the loggia and babe her
good-by she put her hand into mine.
And something prompting me, said very
low.
"Be good boy"
She looked me in the face
81 will, she said. as though she were MAX
ing VOW.
saw in her that light manner which / had
always disliked; never heard her talking
TO men as had heSrd her often enough.
And we were rather more together than
ever. She would not let me treat her as a
ever know who was, ou fond, bon garcon-
who knew the meaning OF canaraderie.
But my relation to her was getting all
pose, and knew it
Mon camarade. mon beau garcon, mon
sIni,H l said to her, ana in rly soul called
her Ma rose blonde, ma cherien
made up my mind to go away; it was oil
l could Go. She knew nothing about my
wife, and OF course knew must tell her.
So one very windy unpleasant day, as we
were sitting IL q little sheltered cove on the
shore, / screwed my courage to the sticking
place" and told her must 60 to Rome.
I had had very tircsome letter and was |
out of tune, like the day, and did not say IL !
nicely.
why do you goI" she asked, looking at
me where she sat, close against the eternal |
rock, the glorious strong sea crashing and |
toaIning at her very feet