The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1889-07-31

lodged noticed IL, too. But they were CON
2rned at IL and babe her sleep more and be
content with a little less earnings. She was
too ambitious And the rentl Mazette that
might wait
If only he had spokenl II only he would
speak! You see It was weeks now, two or
three weeks, since she had seen him first; and
formerly, in the coulisses, a night--a half
hour
Damei and formerly IN the coulisses she
had known so easily how to evade her tor
mentors had known the ground so bitterly
WE'LL there there was never any dangeri
1.-The didnots speak, how could she answer
hint How could q prisoner behind these
violets, against this lofty granite tower, es-
capea
She knew that he was not Frenchman-.
he must be an American. Had he spoken to
her in French, one can understand-one is
familiar with danger, ell bien, one knows
how to meet it. But here In America, where
she had grown to feel SO safe
When one is always looking for something
somebody 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 Ia Marjolaines
Ono day there were no violets in the basket.
The militaire came; he looked down; ho
lifted his eyebrows
Are you sold outlp be asked, He was an
American
'Phrasie nodded her head. She had force
enough for that
The militaire laughed. He had deep
voice, like a bell
"Save me some tomorrow said he, and
he dropped coin into the basket and strobe
away. Mind, tomorrow he called over
his shoulder.
The coin was gold.
Tomorrow Phrasie was not at her door
way.
1t 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-
enfin to Madeleine.
''Where have you beeng Have you boen
IMP he asked.
"Je n'entends pas rAnglais,n 'Phrasie an
swered from her pale lips She had been
repeating the phrase to herself all the morn
ing.s
So he asked her again--in French.
Eyes, am i'll p she answered
"And my violetsln
"They-they do not grow any longer said
the poor girl family.
"for have a message for you, my child NY
wife-she is an invalid-I 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 herr win
you go to see herl'
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, y said the militaire, como, my child,
and you shall go to the country first and get
your health back. For you look sick, indeed y
'Phrase leaned against the granite tower
mon dieu, aide-rnoi, p she prayed.
There was little shadow; another figure
stood before her iPhrasies eyes, half open.
dimly recognized the 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, y
she said, In English-in the English which
'Phrasie did not understand what are
you saying here to my little flower girl4'
The little flower girl tottered TO her feet,
with outstretched hands.
''All, madame, save mef' she cried. II nm
| alone-friendless--i vent me perdreir----
The colonel and Mrs. Edwardes turned to
each other with surprised looks. 'Phrasie
| was swaying on her weak little feet The
| lady caught her
"Colonelin said Mrs. Edwardes
| Said the colonel gravely, but quickly, in
his deep voice: "She has made mstake-a
| Frenchwoman's mistahei have been ask
| ing her to come and be my wife's maid. Do
Won seeY,
| A crowd was collecting
She turned to 'Phrasie. "My child, - she
said in French and In low voice, Ego to his
vito. You are not In France, and this is the
most perfect chevalier in the world. IL
knew him when was girl"
'Phrasie gasped, and looked wildly at Mrs.
Edwardes-whose eyes, too, were tender now.
The crowd was growing larger The colonel
swung around with sudden fire In his eye,
and ordered them back.
A color came into 'Phrasie's cheeks. She
drew long breath.
"Ah, madamel ali, monsieurl'' she said.
Forgive mel If you knew what my life has
been And now am SO happy, for now
can go back to my violets again.
And still she sits In her Quaker doorway
and sells them and sings over them. She has
forgotten the CONSUMPTION. And she tells her
self daily that she must forget that that
grande dame with the cold, blue eyes is still
In love with her colonel. Translated from the
French for The Philadelphia Times.
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