Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1889-06-15


customers already who smiled at her. Many
of these spoke French to herewith that
American accent which is so pleasant and
appreciative. So hot was the May-so OPP
pressive and dusky-that the regular Gus
toners noticed that their little friend was
growing pale. Mais enfini So many women
grow pale In America in the summer, it was
no wonder
The compatriots with whom PHRASE
lodged noticed it, too But they were con-
cerned at 1t and babe her sleep more and be
content with a little less earnings She was
too ambitious Aud the remit Mazettei that
might wait.
If only he had spokeni 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, night-a half
hour
Dame! and formerly in the coulisses she
had known so easily how to evade her tor
mentors-had known the ground SO bitterly
well-there there was never any danger!
If he did not speak, how could she answer
himi How could q prisoner behind these
volets, against this lofty granite tower, es-
capel
She knew that be was not a Frenchman-
he must be an American Had be spoken to
her in French, one can UNDERSTANDINGS Is
familiar with danger, eh 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-and when somebody has come
and gone. and still all is doubt and fears it
so easy to sing under ones breath:
Je ne suis plus la Marjolaine!
One day there were no violets in the basket.
The militaire came; he looked down; he
lifted his eyebrows.
Are you sold outT' he asked He was an
American.
'Phrasie nodded her head. She had force
enough for that.
The miGtaire laughed. He had a deep
voice. like bell.
Save me some tomorrow" said he, and
be dropped 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
wsy.
It was several days before she returned.
But she must earn her bread.
When the militaire came he touched bis
hat to her. He lifted it as if to lady or to-
enf1n to Madeleine
Where have you beeni Have you been
illF 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, i am Ill. she answered
And my violetsf'
"They-they do not grow any longer said
the poor girl family.
IAN the better, them" said the militaire,
"for have a 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 herr Will
you go to see her"
a gulf seemed to open before the little ex-
lie, on whose brink she struggled, dizzy and
cold, only sensible that somewhere there was
q 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 little shadow; another figure
stood before her. 'Phrasie's 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"
she said, In English-in the English which
'Phrasie did not understand-"and what are
you saying here to my little flower girls"
The little flower girl uottered to her feet,
with outstretched hands
"Ah madame, save mel" she cried. 81 am
alone-friendless-il vent me perdreI'-
The colonel and Mrs. Edwardes turned to
each other with surprised looks 'Phrasie
was swaying on her weak little feet. The
lady caught her.
''Colonel!n said Mrs Edwardes.
Said the colonel gravely, but quickly, in
his deep voice: "She has made a mistake-a
Frenchwoman's mistakel l have been ask
ing her to come and be my wife'S maid. Do
you seef"
Mrs Edwardes scanned his face moment.
4 crowd was collecting.
She turned to 'Phrasie "My child" she
said in French and in a low voice, ''go to his
wife You are not.in France, and this is the
most perfect chevalier In the world. II
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 a sudden fire in his eye,
and ordered them back.
A color came into 'Phrasies cheeks She
drew long breath.
"Ah, madame ah, monsieur" she said.
Forgive mel If you knew what my life has
beenl 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.
isaac Keim. Of Reading, Pa, has fox