Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-10-06

'10dJ llJ616 girl 1Sn'b 6lRQJ6cu years
old, !" said the colonel, 'sand she's stun
ningly pretty"
s'Her beauty is little insipid. said
Nina Ciery, in a scornful tone
''She looked at you for a moment,
lucky dog" said the colonel, turning
to Henri; "that's what it is to be
young. "
The following day the light morn
ing mist still hung over the rich
Limousin pasture land when Henri
Maurel returned from his horseback
ride After a few seconds hesita-
ton. he suddenly decided to leave his
horse at his quarters and go to the
fair. The little booths were already
open, but the tents were closed.
When he came near the menagerie
Henri saw the crier seated on the
platform, mending his red costume.
''Well, +" he asked the man. 'Is bus
mess brisk?"
'tFor the boss,' replied the crier;
''but I get more kicks than coppers-
The lieutenant put his hand me-
chanically into his pocket, and the
crier's eyes cleaned with covetous-
ness; but Henri, changing his mind,
less travel a good deal, " he continued.
1.-THE whole year. That improves
the appetite and is very good for the
health, provided you have enough to
eat"
''Jean!" called a gentle, feminine
voice from the interior of the tent.
''I'm coming, Mam'Zelle Paula, re-
piled the man, rising.
lone moment" said Henri, this
time placing a silver piece in jeans
rough hand. eff you should not re-
enter the tent, what would happen?"
'EWell, Mam'Zelle Paula would come
after me-"
'sWho is Mam'zelle?"
'sShe is the niece. of Old William,
our boss. In short, she's the lion
tanner"
.tAh! yes; saw her last evening.
She is a very pretty girl"
''She has lots of admirers, " said the
crler, ''but she doesn't listen to any
of them"
The curtain that concealed the en-
trance to the tent was drawn aside
and ',Mam'zelle Paula" appeared. 1t
was no longer the bold lion-tamer in
theatrical dress; she looked like a
simple country girl. She had put a
scarlet kerchief around her beautiful
blonde hair; a white calico dress
with blue stripes, nodded her delicate
form; she was as fresh as the morn
ing, and blushed at sight Of the Off
Ger.
But Henri soon found means to re-
assure her, and she had already re-
piled to some of his questions, when
a coarse voice in the tent cried out:
care we not going to have dinner to-
day?"
The crier rushed into the tent, and
Paula, after parting glance, also
disappeared.
After that morning, whenever
Henri was not detained by his mill
tary duties, he came every day at the
same hour to exchange a few words
with the pretty girl, who, for her
part, hogan to think often of him,
and welcomed his arrival with a
radiant smile and throbbing heart.
Every evening, unless the officer
was invited out to dinner, he man
aged to be present at the performance.
Certainly the monotony of garrison
life increased the pleasure Henri
felt in being near Paula. Nine.
Clery had returned to Paris, so moth
ing prevented him from following the
attraction that drew him toward the
young girl.
He was charmed by the contrast
between the bold courage Of the lion
tanner, who risked her life every day,
and the timidity Of the pretty child
who blushed under his chances; il
amused and delighted him.
One day the young girl burst into
tears as she told the officer of the neal
departure of the menagerie for a
neighboring village. They would see
each other perhaps, but less fire.
quentlY. Then Henri obtained a
promise that Paula would meet him
after the performance.
1t was midnight, the crowd had de.
parted. the lights were extinguisheC
one by one, and silence reigned
Henri, in citizens dress walked i'm
patiently to and fro behind the tent
All at once he saw the young Cir
coming toward him, and he FASTENED
forward to meet her.
'sDear little Paula" he cried, tax
| ing her hand in his.
The colloquy of the two friends wa:
not to be of long duration; a heavy
! step was heard. and old William APP
peared. At mis- approach, Paula ut
tered a cry of fright and slipped away
Old William came forward and placed
his hand upon the officers shoulder
Monsieur" said he gravelY. 'let
me have two words with you. shall
| ,rt Loft ii n hi 10 hn I'd
Ged, seeing that Henri wished to get
away; ''but 1 must tell you that ]
have seen your game from the begin
ming. On the first day Of the fair
you stared at the girl in a way thai
did not yuit me; but, as every one is
free to enter my tent 1 could say
nothing. Yesterday L noticed that
Paula while in The cage trembled
when she saw you. I said to myself
i must keep my eyes open, some.
| chino ic rur0nor A nd -