The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1888-11-16
So, bon GARCON."


every spring there, but shall never
go again. Yet it is to me the most
beautiful place in the world.
One lands ut the Marina aud climbs
the hill winding UP, up. up, the long
white high road. which is like shelf
along tho edge of cliff.
High above ones head hangs the
mountain, leaning forward stalk
and grim; below the wall of the road
the ground tails sheer away to the
sea-. One secs nothing but the great
shining plain and the threatening
mountain.
Round and round curves the rs,ad
between those two silent watching
enemies, till suddenly without warn-
ing. one reaches the plateau and
comes out in land of desire.
1t is only to climb Il wall and then
to walk onward without hindranccs
through tho wheat fields under the
olives, where the young green wheat
blades are like swords for kccnness.
md their color strikes on the soul
like il song too sweet for words. and
vel bravo withnl. And below the
wheat on the lower terraces are the
wrnt fields, sweet and heavy,
whore IL man may lie full length on
the short grass of the tlrcadlikc
paths and feel nothing but the warm
otlors. the little winds over the bios
SONS, he conscious of nothing but
the glory of the wheat, the Pickering
shades of the gnarlcd olives in the
afternoon light. and if he lies still
enough the sound of the nightingale
learning it's song. And vet he may
be sick mt heart.
As | lay there the livclong April
day, neither reading nor thinking.
nor grateful To God for his wind and
his bean fields, hut with my fingers
in my ears TO shut out the sound of
the nj yhtingale who sang loud, so
loud!
For. instead of the young spring
tide. saw nothing but IL woman,
stauaing as mt first ls:w her, dressed
in white from head tn foot, with bare
arms and shoulders. Il wreath of
brown winter ivy round her golden
head and IL great garland OF it on
her gown.
There she stood and looked me in
the eyes, with II straight grave
glance.
Not the look she gave men as a
rule; | found that ont soon enough,
for il ever there was IL woman CO.
qurttr, s"dnisaatr my English is
not good at best, il leaves me always
when speak of herr it was SHE
Sllz0n.
used To watch her often as she
talked to men with that quick grace
she had, and being usc' to analyzing
faccs-it is my profession for that
matter. ! who am Il DOCTOR saw
that she, whom most women hated
for her lovers, whom most men
aaorrd and thought soft. warm
plaything, unc vraie femme, was in
reality as cold ms IL stone image.
1t WAS IL Very pretty play which
went on around her, but she did not
act in it herself.
She .pipcd carclcssly and all her
court danced. but she grew neither
warm nor weary.
lam not very sure how came to
he so friendly with her; think she
began it.
But VIC fell into way of walking
over the hills together and sitting on
the cliffs in the mondays. looking
out over !; SEA like the glory of God
for light and color; talking of manv
things sometimes, sometimes quite
silent, lying in the sun: with my hat
over my eyes, drinking in the scents
OF the spring air. Just seeing the
splendor ola bush of yellow broom
standing out against u violet sea:
she with her head flung back ON the
short, dry grasses, often enough Il
cigarette in her mouth.
AS the days went bywc grew quiet
ly nearer one another. insensibly, till
one morning asked her something.
The fact was. all the place was ring
ing with her doings. The men with
whom she had amused herself for a
time, notall being gentlemen. handled
her name in the cafes without too
much courtesy. And the women had
always hated her for her beauty, her
toilets, herartisticreputntion; young
as she was. she had IL mention Mt the
Salon.
So asked her if it really amused
her sufficiently to- he worth the price.
She shook her head.
Wen she was not painting she
grew horribly cnnuycc; she must do
something. And tllcn it was not all
her fault, she said.
"lt is to IL great extent" told
her. You lead men on horribly
mot mc-but most mcn). As soon
as they make love to you they dis
gust YOU, repcl you: you fling them
over none too gently, and, wcll-thcy
talk"
She nodded I fancy she knew
quite well what sort of reputation
she had. But presently 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-"
l cried, turning sharply on her; "why
cannot you translate it literally
and be a good boy always? 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. / thought she
did not like what had said. But
walked to her villa with her, and as
stood in the log"ia and babe her
good-by she put her hand into mine
And something prompting me,
said very low:
"l'e a goodboy"
She looked Inc in the face.