The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-03-05
TRANSIT OF VENUS.


smiled upon me not unkindly. From that
moment my fate was sealed. fell madly
in love with the fair Julie and was seldom
far away from the shop in which she
served.
But I never told her of my passion.
How could /, a poor beggar without e1-
pectations, ask this lovely creature to be
my wife? No, must wait until L had
something TO offer her worthy OF accept
ence.
After some weeks spent in this way,
entered the service of Mr.. X, the great
astronomer, as his clerk or secretary.
This took me from that part of Paris
where Julie lived, and as my employer was
exactirg l saw her but seldom. When I
did, her eyes were sadder than their wont,
and returned co my post uncheered.
Meanwhile my duties engrossed me.
Mr. X, though a close student, was not
wholly absorbed in scientific researches.
He frequently fancied himself in love, and
it became my duty from time to time to
revise for him his love letters, that he
might not appear ridiculous in the eyes OF
the porter's daughter or dress cutter whom
he honored with his preference.
One morning while on my way toward
TO work / heard a burst Of laughter pro-
ceeding from it. Without knocking en-
tered slowly.
Seated on the divan was the modern
Newton Beside him sat the most beauti-
full creature imaginable. She was from
IS TO 20 years of age, with a skin of ad-
Inirable wilderness, two dark eyes scintil-
lating under the level eyebrows, and dark,
hr1,, ,l.,r.r I..,r Il inst
ly. 1t was Julie.
She looked at me roguishly as, with
constrained air, l seated myself and be-
gan to read the newspapers, together with
the letters received by post.
Il viii not trouble you today, sir, said
my employer kindly. "Amuse yourself as
you will. / am engaged.
There was 10 help for it, and reluc-
family left the room. l shot an imploring
glance az julie, which she pretended not
to see. Was it possible that she, SO young
and lovely, had promised herself to this
old gray beard?
All, that was a wretched dayI How I
reproached myself for my lack Of prompt
ness and courage! 1t is true / was poor.
but Julie had loved me once. OF that I
felt sure. And now had lost this adora-
bic creature
A day or so afterward 1 found MI.
X e valet packing his masters valise.
Are you going on journey, then?' l
asked
No, not ], but the master departs to-
morrow and for some time"
where is he going5"
cit is a secret That is all he lets us
know. But l suspect he added mysteri-
= H. I'll,
At this moment the astronomer entered,
dressed for travelling.
"A carriage, quick, Guglielmol / am
late
Abr said the valet. ''You are going
today, thenI'
He hurried away, but returned quickly
in a hired cab Mr. Y. entered the vehicle
and gave his instructions to the coachman
resolved to follow him. If this was to
be an elopement, 1 would prevent it-that
is, if Julie was the woman in the case.
The carriage went on at a great pace
That demon of a Guglielmo had by
chance found an excellent horse, but ran
madly after it. We were on the road to
the depot Yes, it was evidently to be an
elopement, for Mr.. " alighted at the
great gate, and hastily entering went to-
y
among the passengers. i well knew for
whom. Though painting and disheveled,
i had not lost sight of him for one mo-
meDt. l hardly knew what / should do to
prevent this catastrophe, this overthrow Of
all my hopes, but prevent it in some way
/ would, If / died for it.
Hasten, monsieur. The train is about
to depart said the guard.
You have not seen by chance a young
lady, brunette?' asked Mr.. "
"Of brunette young ladies there are
more than 30 IN the train, and the most Of
them were a rosebud replied the man,
laughing
But none of them is the one of whom. l
speak.
''All aboard All aboardl'
Quickly bought a second class ticket
and hurried toward the train. My en-
ployer had reluctantly entered a compart-
ment of the first class, irritated at not see
ing her he sought With one foot on the
step hesitated.
After all, / had said to myself,
what shall accomplish by following
him? 1t may be that Julie will not keep
her appointment She may have repented,
was interrupted in these reflections by
a hand being placed upon my shoulder. L
turned There stood Julie, smiling and
hewitching ~ a summer toilet that did
not cost francs, but which was enchant-
ing. She bore a parasol Of bright color,
not large enough TO give much shade, but
suited to her tiny hand.
"Youi" / exclaimed. Your
-
7isp,eased?"
Atthis moment the whistle of departure
sounded and there WAS Il movement OF the
heavy train. From the window of the car
the astronomer. who had seen us, made
despairing gesture
'Stop-stopr' he cried Then, with
Geographic movement, impossible to de-
scribe he added: Sir, you are a rascal
Col l discharge your'
Julie laughed merrily, showing her
pearly little teeth.
oh, Julie. / stammered in a trans
port, i love youn'
.'Ah, ah!' she said. so have aroused
you, laggard:"
Passing her arm through mine, she
turned with me. while the train lost itself
In the distance.
We returned quickly to Paris, and the
next day were surprised to receive letter
from Mr. ", in which he kindly recon-
mended me 10 friend and sent me 100
francs for the IS due to me. He EXPRESSED
much sorrow at being obliged 10 part with
me on account of my sad lack of principle.
1t was thus that the illustricus astron
omcr lost the transit Of Venus, and see
what happened to him! After life of
study be died very old man without re-