Milford chronicle., 1889-06-21

how Is meet 1t. But here in America, where
she had grown to feel so safe.
When one is always looking for something
-somebody--and when somebody has come
and gone, and still all is doubt and fear-is it
so easy to sing under ones breath:
Je ne suis plus la Mariolainef
One day there were no violets in the basket
The militaire came; he looked down; be
lifted his eyebrows.
Are you sold outn he asked. He was an
American.
'Phrasie nodded her head. She had force
enough for that.
The militaire laughed he had deep
voice, like bell.
"Save mo some tomorrow SAID he, and
he dropped a coin into the basket and strobe
away. mind, tomorrow" he called over
his shoulder.
The coin was gold.
Tomorrow Phrase was not at her door
way.
It was several days before she returned.
But she must earn her bread.
When the militaire came he touched his
hat to her. He lifted it as if to a lady or to-
enfn to Madeleine
where have you beeni Have you been
mF' he asked.
"Je nentends pas rAnglais," 'Phrasie an
swered from her pale lips. She had been
repeating the phrase to herself all the morn
ing.
So he asked her again-in French.
Eyes, am i'll, u she answered.
And my violetsp
"They-they do not grow any longer, said
the poor girl family.
"All the better, then" said the militaire,
'for have message for you, my child. My
wife-she is an invalid brought her home
from the Midi little while ago, and her
French maid has left her. have told her
about you She is interested in you. Do you
think you could learn to wait on bert VIII
you go to see herp
A gulf seemed to open before the little ex-
lie, on whose brink she struggled dizzy and
cold, only sensible that somewhere there was
a way Of escape-somewhere behind her-but
her head swan.
well, said the militaire, come, my child,
and you shall go to the country first and get
your health back. For you look SICK indeed. "
'Phrasie leaned against the granite tower.
'Mon dieu, aide-moi, - she prayed
There was a little shadow; another figure
stood before her, 'Phrasie's eyes, half open,
dimly recognized tho newcomer-a customer,
who frequently came by-a splendid, richly
dressed lady, with the souls of two different
women in her face-with hard eyes and |
tender mouth. Come, Colonel Markham, ~
she said In English-in the English which |
'Phrasie did not understand-'and what are
you saying here to my little flower girlf'
The little flower girl tottered to her feet, /
with outstretched hands.
"Ah, madame, save mel" she cried. 81 am /
ne-friendiess-il vent me perdreln-
Tho colonel and Mrs. Edwardes turned to |
each other with surprised looks. 'Phrasie |
was swaying on her weak little feet The
lady caught her.
COLONEL" said Mrs Edwardes.
Said the colonel gravely, but quickly, in
his deep voice: "She has made mistake-a
Frenchwoman's mistakel have been ask
ing her to come and be my wifes maid Do
you seer
Mrs. Edwardes scanned his face a moment.
A crowd was collecting.
She turned to 'Phrasie. "My child" she
said in French and in low voice, "go to his
wife. You are not in France, and this is the
most perfect chevalier in the world. IL
knew him when l was girl"
'Phrasie gasped, and looked wildly at Mrs
eyes, too, were tender now.
The crowd was growing larger. The colonel
swung AROUND, with a sudden fire in his eye,
and ordered them back.
A color came into 'Phrasie's cheeks. She
REV long breath.
"Ah, madamel ah, monsieuri" she said
Forgive mel If you knew what my life has
1eenl And now I am so happy, for now
an go back to my violets again.
And still she sits in her Quaker doorway
md sells them and sings over them. She has
orgotten the CONSUMPTION. And she tells her.
elf daily that she must forget that that
,rande dame with the cold, blue eyes is still
II love with her colonel.-Translated from the
French for The Philadelphia Times