Elmore bulletin. [volume] (Rocky Bar, Idaho) 1889-1906, 1894-03-24
A DIVINE FEAST.

- = 49, - - 49, -
In those days ! was very poor and very
sentimental.
My black coat was 40 threadbare, the
cloth was 20 worn that | dared not put Ii
on or take Il or without the greatest pre-
cautions; the knees Of my pantaloons
shone like satin; my hat was at the age
when little girls know how to lib; and a.
to my boots, modesty prevents my telling
by what ingenious efforts managed 20
keep the inconstant soles.
Ali my fortune was composed Of some
manuscripts In prose and verse, which had
already made me the terror Of number
OF editors.
Oh. ] was truly very poor and very sents-
mental.
When have said that wore my hair
long, falling on my coat collar; that l was
slender and delicate; that had a pale face,
large nose and ecstatic eyes. one can see
what sorry figure made.
Il WAS the first night Of a new play at
the Coincide Franchise. knew the Prin.
cess l>oubanoff would be there. and would
sooner lose one Of my eyes than this oppor
tunity Of seeing-though IL might be but
for an instant-the radiant creature who
I'M AHEtttfatta HiJ S84i@ A<lCADt 4 Vlt-
sessed the sum necessary To pay for the
modest place longed for and small sur
pluA Dinner time approached. I wac
hungry. and. in haste to get rid Of that
prosaic need, spent my surplus moaey
for some fried potatoes. intending TO drink
at the first fountain ] came to. What
could desire moref
But had rcckoned without the most
cruel Of my faults--that which has always
poisoned my existence-pride. could
never say which was the most painful to
me. TO be poor or to appear SO.
l had no sooner got my paper horn Of
plenty full Of potatoes in my hand than
became much embarrassed. imagining that
everybody looked Mt me with compassion.
However, l lived too far away to think OF
returning home.
@BahIf' ] said to myself .They may
think what they like. am going TO eat
my potatoes In the face OF the passers byr'
And as walked l began my repast. But
] had not swallowed the first mouthful
when beautiful young girl, coqnettishly
dressed. passed close to me and looked nc
me. There was 30 much kindness In her
gaze, her pretty eyes expressed so well hel
regret nc seeing me dine NO poorly that
nothing more was needed TO overcome me
completely. Ashamed. lowered my head,
and feeling myself redden TO my ears. 1
passed very quickly. had scarcely taken
three steps when, yielding to | know not
what sympathetic influence, turned. The
young girl had turned at the same instant,
and for one second met her sweet glance.
Evidently had inspired her with interest.
perhaps with pity. Much mortified, i
FASTENED on, avoiding crowded streets
II had listened only to my vexation
should have flung my potatoes In a corner
but my appetite having mastered my sell
love ] sought some quarter where mighl
shelter myself from the stares of the curl.
Gus, and chose a gateway which was CON-
pietely deserted. sank down there, and
leaning against the wall near flight OF
steps again attacked my fried potatoes,
which seemed to me delicious There. al
least, might hope calmly to finish my re-
past. and again seized by the sweet, by tbs
Intoxicating obsession which pursued me
everywhere. plunged into contemplation
Of my love. In few hougs." said &c
myself, with joyous little thrills. lin a few
hours shall see bert Perhaps as she goes
through the lobby she may give me love
ly smile"
And then In Imagination saw her fin,
lips move. while her large eyes half yeiIet
themselves Oh. knew exactly how sI,
smiled, how she walked. with whai
dainty airs she turned her bead TO lis
ten I could initiate her slightest ges
lures. repeat her futelike intonations
modulated like the warbling of night
ingale; ! even owed 10 her the habit
had of passing the tip OF my tongue over
my upper lip. But what I could nevel
Ind worsis 20 express WAS her turbulencs
Of spoiled child, the cajoling. almost IN
miliar ways with which she glided into this
heart OF every one and coolly installed her
self there forever. She was a true, an Ak
quisite Partisan. the widow Of Prime.
Loubanoff-a widow of nineteen, with hel
intact freshness OF young girl. and will
eyes possessed, as BY an evil spirit. with In
Suitable coquetry.
wonld have given my life 70 kiss he
hands. At home had arrived at kneelins
down 70 think Of her. Certainly ! wa
insane.
II was limited that the princess was no
dragon of virtue, and III disposed tongue
pretended that she was singulnrly capri
cious and perverse. But what could hop
from 80 grand a LADY,. most pifiable poet
when her beauty, her riches, her independ
enca drew around her a throng Of TIL
most powerful, the most Industrious
adorerss II Is true. that since had beer
presented TO her. that is. for six months
she had Shown interest In me and neve,
seemed annoyed to see me pale and trembls
every time Vie spoke 20 me- She woulf
allow, discreetls allow, me to die Of lov.
for her, ~ she permitted the flowers thai
adorned her breast 10 die In exhaiinQ theil
soul Of perfume. That was ali.
had not yet eaten n quarter OF INV fried
potatoes when | was ohilxpd TO pause II
my rcpast. There was the rustic OF dress
IN the steps. | hid ms cornucopia. am
assuming the indifferent air Of one wis
waits. did NOT move. But the nsarer tina
snstling Of silken dsaperies approached I'll
more violently did my heart beat, withou
any reason. Asart Of instinct told me SONS
thing my spirit could not know. Suddel
Iva radiant vision agitated my whole
ing;a form, brilIiance. perfume familis
beloved closed my eyes.
Then a golden voice said Ia my ear, 81
my dear poet. how delighted I am to me-
Toul''
had barely time 10 slip my horn Of fris
pof4foe. Into my coat pocket.
Madam. bless the rhancels
y was thinking about you"
sRsalIyi'
q was going 10 write 10 you"