Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1894-09-21
THE BROKEN CHAIR.

JACQUES climbed rapidly the five flights
OF stairs which led 20 his room The ascent
made he stopped moment on the lasV |
landing. From this landing opened TWO
doors one at the right hand, one at the
left. He took key from his pocket, looked |
q long time at the door on the rlght' ut-
tered great sigh, then opened the uoor
at the left. He turned his head looked
again at the right hand door, uttered
second great sigh, and entered ms own
apartment.
once there he dotted his coat, put away
his bundles took IA chair placed it against
the wall and himself astride of 1t, lighted
a cigar, and, remaining thus, watched the
little rings Of smoke ascend TO the ceiling
while every five minutes he pressed his
ear to the partition.
He stayed there for half hour or So
smoking several cigarettes and pressing
his ear several times TO the wall Az las1
his face, till then dull and melancholy
took on an expression of JOY Some one
was moving on the other side.
She has returned he exclaimed.
Ina moment there was heard the noise
of chairs and dishes.
''She is going 20 dine" cried Jacques,
and he pressed his ear still closer to the
partition, trying TO follow the least move
ment of his neighbor He was not able
to see her, but he was happy TO hear her
TO be near her
To see her no morel That was great
Grief TO JACQUES Formerly he had seen
her often
He made plans TO meet her on the stair
way For that he would remain in tho
street whole hours together Then, when
he perceived her afar off, he would come
back, mount a few flights in order to give
her time 10 arrive, and Immediately de
scending, rs if by accident, would nave the
10y of single look in her face.
Buthe always felt so troubled to see her
pass before him. so grave and 50 reserved
that he saluted her more awkwaldly than
the most awkward schoolboy and lowered
his eyes without daring to raise them.
He had tried hard TO be less timid, had
practiced graceful situations invented
nretcxts for conversation, imagined wise
remarks. but all this forcthought was III
vain. Each time that the adorcd being
passed JACQUES salutcd her more awk
xyardlv. Once he even let fall his hat
Then despairing Of conqucring his embar
rassment and timidity and trembling IcsI
he should make a bad impression upon
her he had renowned sccing her. or
he thought, what if should happen not
10 please her! 1t Is better not 10 sec HoE
than TO displease her.
JACQUES had arranged his life thus, tax
inr care never to go out or come In ut tho
same time as his ucighbor And he con.
tented himself with living beside her ana
near her without her having the least
suspicion of his existence.
Without being able 10 see her h9 was
nevertheless acquainted with her
She was named Charlotte She worked
bv the day, setting forth early IN the
incoming and returning late in the even
inr And she was honest. oh, yes, very
honest and hardworkirg. for very Tar into
the night che occupied herself WIN lA'
needle.
.Tacouos felt himself filed with admira
tion for this brave and beautiful girl who
alone in the world--shc was certainly
alone. for she never received any visits
knew so well how to resist the temptation
which beiall one SO young ana lalr
She had come TO the house the year be
fore The nrst time Jacques HAD seen he
he noticed that she was pIetty-that wa
all. At first lie had given little attention
10 her His love for her had come to HIN
little by little, her attraction for him fore
ing its way, so TO speak, through tho par
tition
The thought came TO him late at nigh
when he entered his homo, ! wonder
she has retired, and when coming on
carly in the morning he thought, won
der if she is awake Little by Htt!c IN
Thought OF the morning became bouh
without interruption 10 the thought q
The evening 1t became the thought c
his entire life jacques was now well c'
tablishcd in his affection for Charlotte
He ndorcd her, and ho knew that he Shout
adore her always
If She had permitted him to speak
her. or if ne had had courage 10 speak |
her. his declaration and his confession {
faitb would not have been long ~ Woul
have be- Il this only
"Nladcmoisellc, love you VIII you b
my wifoE"
But. alas, TO offer ones hand TO won
an IL * necessary 10 have something Will
in II. and Jacques had nothing 10 wa
= pa.ntcr-one of those artists rich
boucs only. who intended 10 have son
,lay his hotel in Mouccau park but no
his cauvascs did not sell. and during the
later days not single purchaser or pr
MUM hnd happened his way 20 mat u
NOR Loy had been Obliged TO pawn Tor y
rent his few furnishings till there rcmnll
cd. except his bed. only one poor cane sea
cd chair-a chair so old. so broken so 20
reliHg, IT was n miracle that ~ cCuld no
itself together with him astridc II,
Jacques was AlWtNa IIiVI' o7li W. "a -
old chair trying 90 trace through the Tn
nartition the goiras and comings Of h
prStty neighbor As tlo blind by touC
alone gain an adequate lH9Wlcdgc Of Il
form Of objects, tho young ariist by q
rustling Of Charlotte dress against q
furniture, BY the distance and approx
Of her step, by her silence oven had ARA
cd at n sense Of seeing her which was
most as good as a Visit with her face
face Vow she is setting the table
-, She dimes She has finished now
aSh , is sitting down" She scws. q"
son. etimes. always on horseback in I
chair n, observatory" as lac called
he would g, 'ut his eyes and commence
dream.
"Of what does she Think Does she il
poinc that am he. -c2 If she only knC
how love herl"
He was tempted TO make NOISE 10 @
attention to himself by soni, ioily,