Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1893-06-22
PLAYING WITH FIRE.

cozy, sheltered spots. Women, rosy pink |
with the heat, were leisurely crocheting
and gossiping, emphasizing their remarks
with the movement of the white ivory
needles. Bright eyed men, their smiling
listeners, idly traced hieroglyphics on
the sand. Happy children, watched over
by white capped nurses, made mud pies
to their hearts content.
Over one small group Of loungers pre-
sided young woman, whose pensively
graceful, delicate featured face was one
of rare sweetness Her hair was blond,
her mouth fresh as a child's, while in her
black eyes quivered lights and shadows
as on placid lake. A crowd Of young
men were gathered about her, each one
anxious to claim part Of her attention
by some trivial little speech. Now and
then she would quietly drop word, and
every one stopped talking to heat and ap
plaud her.
Marguerite Helm was Norwegian
She had married for love countryman
of hers, a painter, but he had died soon
after. Gifted with . marvellous voice,
she had resolved to make it her means oi
support. Going to Paris, she had shut
herself up for year with her grief and
her musical studies. Her stay at Luc.
sur-Mer was the first dissipation Of hei
widowhood.
Just now the conversation had turned
on foreigners difficulty in using French
idioms. ALI her admirers seized the op
portunity to compliment her on her pro
fcience in the language.
"Gentlemen," she said suddenly, 'you
shall each tell me which word in all
your language you prefer"
After moments hesitation the con,
test began. To the men it was pretexi
for new gallantries.
Marguerite" sighed one.
Norway" murmured another.
'sLovei" suddenly exclaimed boyt
undeveloped voice-a voice just under.
going change.
ID The word was so impulsively uttered
that everybody started. Marguerite her.
self bent forward to see the speaker. II
was Jacques Lespar, q mere boy of al.
most girlish beauty. His white fore.
head, his straight nose, with its sensitive
nostrils, his slender, refined hands-all
betokened good blood. His penetrating
eyes fixed themselves upon those of Nine
Helm. Hers were filed with a sweet
indulgent curiosity.
"Well, there really are no more chill
dren Make way for the youngP' wert
the remarks heard from the men
Happily the dinner hour was near, and
the group dispersed. Jacques and Nine
Helm remained together. They botf
felt little embarrassed at being alone
and neither knew what to say. Finally
they began to talk of the weather, of tht
superb days and warm evenings. Ther
the boy escorted Marguerite to her hote
and went home.
Ever since the beginning Of the season
he had silently admired Mime. Helm. A
subtle fascination irresistibly attracted
him to her. When she took her morning
st=cn- he iuatinctiuAlu ralLad hahini
hesfr, like dog rollowing his master
When she sat down on the beach amid
her admirers, he furtively slipped il
among them, envying, with all tn,
strength of his ingenious youth, tn,
young men who could laugh with her O.
the old gentleman who called her "Dea,
child" How often he had tried tospeal
to herl But the great sadness rising il
his heart at his utter insignificance woult
+ choke the words in his throat.
An orphan from his cradle, he was en-
tirely alone in the world. A distant rel
ative had become his guardian and di
rected his education. He grudgingl.
managed Jacques finances and bestowe'
only a scant affection upon his ward
The boys generous nature was starye,
in this atmosphere Of indifference, an,
be at oncs loved Marguerite with all tn
energy Of long suppressed feeling. !
was his first passion, and like nc
spendthrift he laid at her feet all th
treasures Of his heart. AS to being pai
in return, be never dared think of that
He would have been satisfied If, like
priest at Gods altar, he might be a.
lowed to worship Marguerite all his life
After that August afternoon Jacque
and Mime. Helm were frequently tx
gether. They talked over their PLAN
and being mutually attracted learned I
know each other well. Every day afte
breakfast they walked on the quay, an
the boy made the young woman his COZ
fidant. Marguerite heard his gray
speeches with a smile and reciprocate
by giving good advice with almost mott
erly tenderness.
Time passed on, and often when r,
turning from their walk the day die
4 with the setting sun. The women con
ing home would greet them with SON
half audible, jesting remark; the rag
mullins would giggle at them on Il
road, and the men bow, with 9 sort /
pleased, boorish pohteness.
1t was the first time since her depa
ture from Norway that Nine. Helm 70
got her sorrow. She liked her role
tender mamma and put an unconsciot
coquetry into her conduct. She woul
often prelude her remarks with, u, \
Jacques, who am an old woman az
she smiled to think of her three ar
twenty years.
She did not dream how this chi
adored her. Only once did slight doul
enter her mind, but jacques condu
quickly dispelled it. He treated
like an elder sister and did not mil
ChamberIain's Cough Remedy
Us famous as q
Cure for severe colds.