The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1891-09-01
CONSTANCE DU FOUR.

| OF the SIrceLS anu
A small garrison is still kept there, but
It can no lenger afford protection to the
city, and there is some talk of turning The
place into public park. l, at least, shall
shed tears when that happens, for it is &
dear old place, with its piles of cannon
balls and dismounted guns, its deep slope:
of grass grown earthworks, its sunshine
and shadow. 1t in nowise brings thoughts
Of war to mind, but only ''ways of pleas
antness and peace"
You enter through deep stone arch,
leaving the dusty, noisy street behind you,
and there is a 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 white shell road leading 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 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
q graveyard-the last resting place of
friendless soldiers who have died at the
fort.
The whole place exercised great charm
over me, and whenever I had day to
spare would go there to sketch and dream.
1t was thus that l came to know the ser
I \ l
was on a breezy afternoon in early spring
She was leaning on a cannon, her figure
darkly outlined against the blue water be-
| yond and her hand raised above her head
waving blue handkerchief in farewell to
a 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 I 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 sweet little
mouth, without much character in it. An
extremely pretty face, wistful in express
She asked to see what l was painting,
and from this we talked on till l soon knew
all her history.
Her name was Constance Dufour. Her
father was a sergeant, very old now and
soon to be retired. He was a Frenchman
| and her mother had been Irish.
'Afy mother died SO long ago 1 don't re-
member her," she said, "but father loved
L e. H. ,
she added, and ran to lead him to me with
much pride.
He was little old man, very gray, but
still active in his motions, and every inch
a Frenchman and soldier. he reminded
me of 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
love for her.
From that evening we three became great
friends. Whenever came to the fort Con
was watching for me, and off we would go
together to paint and she to lie on the
grass watching; or else, with her hands
under her head, gazing up into the blue
sky-dreaming.
She was curious girl, with little or no
education, and yet power of imagination
that was astonishing. Nearly all her time
was spent in dream world of her own.
when was little" she said, Il always
wanted to be a princess, and even now
when Pm lonesome l tell myself long
stories about what III do when l get my
kingdom"
But Con-" said, "a fairy story always
has prince in it. Haven't you got one
toe?"
Indeed. madam, I have" she said quite
simply, "only he's gone away, and it'll be
six months before l see him again. He
went of in the boat that afternoon l first
saw you. Hes a lieutenant on man-of-
war, and when he comes back we're going
to be married"
Fortunately she was looking away and
did not see the look of quick surprise /
gave her.
A lieutenant in the navy, no doubt of
good family, and a sergeant's daughter
poor little Con
and his pa1neP" l asked.
"Henry Warwick, madam. He came
here just to see the captain on business
and since then be comes-for love of me-
He is on shore duty now for year, and
after he has seen his people, beyond in the
north. he's coming back TO marry me. He
is such a handsome gentleman. and l shall
be a real princess, after all"
She was so sure of him, so happy, that |
had not the heart to raise a doubt.
soon found that the little old sergeant
knew nothing of this love affair, and that
there was also another element in the little
romance.
1t seemed that Cons gray eyes had been
-,
certain young ships carpenter who worked
In yard below the fort. l am not certain,
but think his name was Jack.
The sergeant evidently favored his atten-
tons, for on several occasions he brought |
Jack up with him and requested Con to |
show MIN around the grounds.
She always started Immediately, but |
with businesshke air that argued i'll for |
any sentimental conversation poor Jack |
might be contemplating.
One day, the sergeant being absent, Jack |
came BY himself and carried Con off. In a |
little while Was surprised to see him re-
turn without her and take his stand di- |
rectly before me. There was evidently |
something on his mind, aud yet he did not |
know how to say it
l waited patiently, and finally be came /
to the point with startling abruptness and !
evident confidence in my full knowledge Of 1
the situation.
''She talks a lot to YOU" he said as |
there any other fellow"
was aware. Ct course, that there was
another fellow, but / thought it just as /
well, perhaps, to keep the knowledge to 1
myself
Il suppose you mean Constance" I said
"You should ask her.