Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-05-25
WITH FIRE.

PLAYING WITH FIRE.
1t was o'clock Of hot August after
noon at Lucsur-Mer. The bathers were
roaming over the beach or ensconced in
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 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 hear and ap-
plaud her.
Marguerite Helm was Norwegian.
She had married for love countryman
Of hers, painter, but he had died soon
after. Gifted with marvellous voice,
she had resolved to make it her means of
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 her
widowhood.
Just now the conversation had turned
on foreigners difficulty in using French
idioms All her admirers seized the op-
portunity to compliment her on her pro-
6cience in the language.
Gentlemen, she said suddenly, ayou
shall each tell me which word in all
your language you prefer"
After moments hesitation the con-
test began To the men it was pretext
for new gallantries.
Marguerite" sighed one.
Norway" murmured another.
Lover suddenly exclaimed a boys
undsreloped voice-a voice just under
going change.
The word was so impulsively uttered
that everybody started. Marguerite her
self bent forward to see the speaker. It
was Jacques Lespar, 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 Mime.
Helm Hers were filed with a sweet.
indulgent curiosity.
well, there really are no more chill
dren. Make way for the youngr' were
the remarks heard from the men.
Happily the dinner hour was near, and
the group dispersed. Jacques and Nine.
Helm remained together. They both
felt little embarrassed at being alone,
and neither knew what to say. Finally
they began to talk of the weather, of the
superb days and warm evenings. Then
the boy escorted Marguerite to her hotel
and went home
Ever since the beginning of the season
he had silently admired Mme Helm. A
subtle fascination irresistibly attracted
him to her. When she took her morning
stroll, he instinctively walked behind
her, like a dog following his master.
When she sat down on the beach amid
her admirers, he furtively slipped in
among them. envying, with all the
strength Of his ingenious youth, the
young men who could laugh with her or
the old gentleman who called her Dear
child" How often he had tried tospeak
to heri But the great sadness rising in
his heart at his utter insignifcance would
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 grudgingly
managed Jacques finances and bestowed
only scant affection upon his ward.
The boys generous nature was starved
in this atmosphere of Indifference, and
he at once loved Marguerite with all the
energy Of long suppressed feeling. 1t
was his first passion, and like a rich
spendthrift he laid at her feet all the
treasures of his heart. As to being paid
In return, he never dared think of that
He would have been satisfied if, like a
priest at Gods altar, he might be al
lowed to worship Marguerite all his life
After that August afternoon Jacques
and Nine Helm were frequently to-
gether. They talked over their plans,
and being mutually attracted learned to
know each other well. Every day after
breakfast they walked on the quay, and
the boy made the young woman his con-
fidant. Marguerite heard his grave
speeches with smile and reciprocated
by giving good advice with almost moth
erly tenderness.
Time passed on, and often when re-
turning from their walk the day died
with the setting sun. The women com
ing home would greet them with some
half audible, jesting remark; the raga-
mullins would giggle at them on the
road, and the men bow, with a sort Of
pleased, boorish politeness.
It was the first time since her depar-
ture from Norway that Mime. Helm for
got her sorrow. She liked her role Of
tender mamma and put an unconscious
coquetry into her conduct She would
often prelude her remarks with, 81, M.
Jacques, who am an old woman and
she smiled to think Of her three and
twenty years.
s She did not dream how this child
adored her. Only once did slight doubt
enter her mind, but Jacques conduct