The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1892-05-19

terrace, at the Hotel Bcau-Kivagc,
Geneva. Directly opposite, isolated
i'll its dazzling wilderness, standing
out against the horizon like gigan-
tic iceberg, Mont Blanc emerged from
the crowd of alpine rocks, proudly
spreading its snowy mass, which the
obliquc rays of the setting sun made
lridcscent with myriads of small NOV
ing rainbows.
over the lake companies of the ia
miliar swans circled round and about
the boats fastened to the quay, then
successfully alightcd on the water with
long slides and rapid wing-beats; tho
Sulls called to each other in hoarsc
tones in IL last frolic before going to
rest on the waves In the distance
were visible the great birds of Prey,
who, after the day spent in the chase,
were returning to the inviolatc peaks of
the Valais mountains.
Fascinated by the majestic spectacle
and the mysterious attraction of space,
L dreamed OF a fantastic ride, Il wild
light in balloon to those heights
wcll-nigh inaccessible to human beings.
L would have scared in immatcrial
ether, above the confusion of peaks and
rocks which from below appear gigantic,
and are in proportion to terrestrial i'm
mcnsity, SO say the scientists, but us
the Irregularities on the skin of an
orange was far from Geneva and it's
lake and know not when would have
returned to earth had not JACQUES
voice suddenly scattered my day
dreams.
why! Nine. dc Latrivillc!" cried he.
You know hero" asked /, mechani-
cally,in the tone of n man who has lust
awakened, but does not wish 10 seem
to have slept
Certainly, so do you! You surely
remember Latrivillc, of our promotion;
he who was SO terribly wounded ut
Langson?"
"Latrivillc, yes! but did not know
that he had been wounded, nor that he
was married"
"Ah.' and Jacques quickly left me
to greet the now arrivals.
Below the terrace, before the hotel
door, carriage laden with trunks and
packages had just stopped. a valet de-
seconded from the box, while ut the car
riagc door appeared a man. TALL slen-
der, still young whose distinguished
soldicrly bearing was married by some
N'Ai'A5 ShNtol, dhNiOuo. recognized
my comradc Latrivllc but it seemed
to me that his look was duh, fixed, and
his wide open eyes were sightlcss. He
left the carriage with the help of his
servant, took the Wallets arm, and went
toward the terrace unstcadily, his hands
stretched out before him, as though to
feel his way.
A second later, descended from the
ar-,.,.,
ably pretty, who, her hands filled with
parcels, sprang lightly down, touching
the earth with the lightncss of poised
bird. She was tall, with wcll-roundcd
figure, extremely delicate features,
heavy blonde hair llnottcd ut the back
of her head, eyes nearly black and very
bright, soft red lips of charming and
delicate outline. Indifferent to the
hustle among the employees and serv-
ants of the hotel, caused by the dis
tinguishcd arrivals, her eyes followed
her husband while he mounted the
steps, and seemed to watch over him
with the solicitude of mother or of an
older sister. When Latriville reached
the top, She assembled in her turn, light
and graceful, and holding out her hand
TO jacques, who approached her, said:
You! what good lucll.'
Jacques bowed deeply over her hand,
then gave Latrivillc the military en-
brace, which cordial and nffcctionatc
habit has not yet been dethroned among
the officers by the hackneycd hand
shake. ! then also left the terrace to
welcome my old comrade, of whom I
had the l:indest memories. though since
left Saint Ayr had only seen him
from time TO time. AS held ont my
hand to him he looked at me ixcdly
without moving.
How do you do, Latriville! Don't
you remember me? Mayran, you know
Corporal Mayran of the SIXTH" :
"Ahl Is it you. old fricnd 1t is
good to see you againl should have
guessed that it was you-to recognize
you was impossible, I am blind"
"Oh! poor old fellow!" said |, pain
fully impressed
"Yes, left my eyes in Tonlsin; it is
rather difficult to get around, but the
rest is good" added he with a smile.
Then, have an Antigone who makes
me forget that am not complete. BY
the way, is my wife here, that may
introduce you?"
YES, dear" answered Nine. dc Latri-.
vile, in soft, gentle. firmly musical.
voice.
My dear Jeanne, this is Capt.
Mayran, (pcrhaps commander now, |
10 not know one of my comrades Mt
saint Cyr, like our good jacques. Ali
my friends! what happy inspiration
brought me here! We will live over
our old life together. and talk OF old
times, will we not?"
was si,r.,r;sc6 ,ol ,,,