Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1891-08-19
CONSTANCE DU FOUR.

shed tears when that happens. for 1t is
dear old place, with its piles OF cannon
balls and dismounted guns, its deep slopes
| Of grass grown earthworks its sunshine
and shadow. It In nowise brings thoughts
OF war 70 mind, but only ways of pleas
antness and peace"
You enter through a deep stone arch,
leaving the dusty, noisy street behind you,
and there is sentry pacing slowly back
and forth, who salutes but makes no at
tempt to stop your progress. On the other
side of the arch, stretching out before you,
is a white shell road Lending to the bar
racks and officers quarters, on either side
level sweeps Of green, the drill grounds;
and then looking away to the left. is the
river sparkling in the sunshine as it broad
ems out to meet the bay.
/ You may walk all around the fort on the
'sea wall, as it is called, and listen TO the
tapping and washing OF the water against
the stones
! At one place is a little wharf with a rick
ETY. ladder and boat continually bump
ing against the posts.
Back Of the officers cottages are the
stable and an empty field and further on
a graveyard-the last resting place OF
friendless soldiers who have died at the
fort
The whole place exercised great charm
over me, and whenever had a day to
spare would go there to sketch and dream
Il was thus that came 20 know the ser
geant's daughter The first time | saw her
was on breezy afternoon in early spring
She was leaning on cannon, her figure
darkly outlined against the blue water be-
yond and her hand raised above her head
waving blue handkerchief in farewell 10
boat full of sailors who were rowing
down the river. There was an officer in
the stern. who stood up and raised his hat
to her. Instantly the oars went up in
salute, their wet blades flashing in the sun
light.
The whole made such a pretty picture
that wanted to see the chief figure In it
closer, and presently-when the boat was
out of sight-she came toward me She
had black hair, gray eyes. that looked
rather fearful just now, and a sweet little
mouth, without much character in it. An
extremely pretty face, wistful In express
sion and OF the Irish type.
She asked TO see what l was painting,
and from this we talked on till soon knew
all her history.
Her name was Constance Dufour. Her
father was a sergeant, very old now and
soon 70 be retired. He was a Frenchman
anu nef mObllhf hhu Detu lftbn.
my mother died SO long ago don't re-
member her." she said, but father loved
me enough for two He's coming now"
: she added, and ran to lead him 70 me with
! much pride.
/ He WAS little old man, very gray, but
I still active In his motions, and every inch
4 Frenchman and a soldier. He reminded
{ me OF a drawing by Detaille.
Although his daughter was quite as tall
as himself he spoke Of her as petite Con,
and while he talked he gave her hand little
caressing pats that spoke eloquently Of his
5 love for her
Z. From that evening we three became great
Il friends. Whenever | came to the fort Con
> was watching for me, aud of we would sc
0 together to paint and she TO lie on the
grnss watching; or else, with her hand.
under her head, gazing mp into the blue
sky--dreaming.
She was a curious girl, with little or ne
= education, and yet a power OF imagination
= that was astonishing Nearly all her tim,
was spent In a dream world Of her own.
Y when was little" she said, II Away
- wanted 10 be a princess, and even nov
- when I'm lonesome | tell myself lonl
1 stories about what Ill do when get m
kingdom
e But Con-" said. "a fairy story Away
i has prince in it. Haven't you got on
- I. tootn
~ Indeed. madam, have" she said quit
y simply, "only he's gone away, and it'll b
six months before ! see him again. II
went OF In the boat that afternoon | frs
saw you. He's lieutenant on a man-ol
war, and when he comes back we're goin
- to be married.
ID Fortunately she was looking away an
az did not see the look Of quick surprise
u, gave her.
Mt A lieutenant in the navy, no doubt
el good family, and a sergeant's daughter
ut poor little Conf
"And his namesn asked.
Henry Warwick, madam. He can
here just 10 see the captain on busines
le- and since then he comes-for love OF m
at Heis on shore duty now for year, al
ca after he has seen his people, beyond in q
al north, he's coming back to marry me. I
oh Is such a handsome gentleman, and l sha
ch be real princess, after ALL"
She was 50 sure Of him, so happy, that
had not the heart to raise a doubt
soon found that the little old sergeai
Ike knew nothing Of this love affair, and tn
en- there WAS also another element In the lit
romance
Il seemed that Cons gray eyes had be-
working havoc with the affections Of
a certain young ships carpenter who work
RE in a yard below the fort / am not certai
nd but think his name was Jack.
sin The sergeant evidently favored his atts
on. tions, for on several occasions he broug
erv Jack up with him aud requested Con
To show him around the grounds.
She always started Immediately, /
with n businesslike air that argued III
any sentimental conversation poor ia
,re might be contemplating.
a One day, the sergeant being absent ia
came by himself and carried Con off. Il
little while | was surprised TO see him
turn without her and take his stand
rectly before me. There was eviden
OF something on his mind, and yet he did
the know how 20 say il.
cred waited patiently, and finally he ca
ex- to the point with startling abruptness
In evident confidence in my full knowledg
i'm the situation.
k63. "She talks lot TO you" be said.
for there any other fellowin
aud l was aware, OF course, that there
,wn. another fellow, but | thought it Just
gton well, perhaps, to keep the knowledge
pair myself
sets; II suppose you mean Constance" l s
curb "You should ask herr