The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1894-05-04

IA@N& 81 ~ @N&84@ HA@aA V@
60 though 10 were m old acquaintance.
When the party OF ladies and gentle
men was complete, Jacques insisted on
RECALLING them all with vermuth and
ordered the waiter to give one TO his APP
pie tree, though 1t seemed TO sketch o.
gesture Of refusal with its boughs. The
waiter, who did not understand, looked
angry.
AS they entered the carriage TO drive
to the railway station Jacques gave his
tree an amiable nudge with his elbow,
making some joke about leaving 1t be-
hind. Impassively the tree waited on
the sidewalk till they started, when ii
followed the conveyance at o quick trot.
Leaning over the window, Jacques
watched it. Once he gave a little cry OF
terror al a heavy vehicle crossed its path,
and he thought 1t might be run over,
but IL escaped.
"What in the world is the matter with
your exclaimed his companion in III
prise.
Don't trouble about me. 1t is only
my apple tree"-
"Your apple treea Why, what can you
meant"
But Jacques did not explain.
At the station the tree did not get lost.
Jacques began TO feel himself cruel in
/ trotting the poor thing 90 far. He was
growing attached to it really. He was
soo treasured, for it galloped beside the
train like IN outrider attending the car
riage Of o sovereign.
Only Jacques was SO absorbed in
watching it that he neglected iii friends,
and n of them-a lady, who liked him
approached him gently for his preoccu-
patton.
You are jealous Of myapple tree9" he
asked her laughingly.
apple treel Apple treer' They began
to chant it to the tune of apopular song,
improvising words which they thought
appropriate. Jacques really feared they
might hurt its feelings, but it did not
seem to mind.
The chosen spot was reached. The
day sped on in mirth. Jacques was wild
with merriment, never losing sight of his
attendant tree. w H.
~OAAS SnO RAOElSEA q INV OA kUc IlNEEs
mo. MOP cried Jacques, Perhaps he
may not know how to SWIM"
"Who?' r.
my ap"-
Apple treel Apple treei What is the
jokef Do explain" s.
jacques Redeemed a little. These peo.
pie could not possibly understand. He
looked at his tree as If to consult 1t, and
It seemed to him that the tree had no OBJ.
lection to the water.
The boats set off, and the apple tree
followed. Jacques kept on the alert,
ready to hold outa helping hand-he was
so fond OF his treel o - s
In the evening at dinner jacques inn.
bibed recklessly, and he did not forget
to fling . glass of champagne over his
apple tree. he grew very tipsy and
quarrelsome.
II am tired Of you allf'' he cried to hii
friends. you bore me inexpressibly
I shall leave you and GO of by myself
with my apple treeln
They laughed good naturedly and tries
to keep him. The ladies' looked annoyed
but OF he went.
1t was night now and very dark. ii,
went along the steep bank, still accom-
panied by his tree. He felt horribly hu
initiated and ashamed, for he was stag
gering and stumbling, while the sobe
tree slid on erect and firm.
Jacques zigzagged along In o deplora
BILE fashion nearer and nearer to the wa
ter's edge. Feeling the necessity of sup
port, he sidled up TO the apple tree.
"You are my friend" he said. "Le
me lean ON you."
he threw his weight against the tree
but his body encountered the empty air
He lest his balance, rolled down tn
steep declivity into the river and wa
drowned.
The tree, left to itself, returned to th
field from whence it came.-Translate,
From the French For Romance.