Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1895-06-06
ZETTE.

eide"
Her mother called her Fletcher real
name was Suzanne.
She was pretty girl, not very large,
with fair complexion and long black
hair that she let float about her dnring
her consultations, though ordinarily she
wore it in loose coil upon the nape Of
neck that was perfect
Never having done much work, her
hands were delicate and well shaped
She was enough of coquette to wish to
keep them so. She had finely modelled
form, and to have seen her simply dress
ed in some quiet color, with the gait Of
wise little workwoman, one would
never have suspected her strange calling
Her mother, Nine Floury was as lit
tie like others Of her class as her daugh-
ter. About her there was nothing in
common with the shrews who frequent
fairs in red dresses and soiled skirts
She had the air of little merchant who
was good and proper, with a winning,
honest smile, and people stopped before
the carriage and even entered there
(without thinking of the charlatanism
ON the posters) in order to see the interi-
or of this small dwelling that smelled
so sweet.
The vehicle was painted brown, with
thread Of gold running the lengths OF
the plinths. There was tiny balcony
in front Of it, and ON this balcony con-
volvulus and nasturtium vines, planted
in boxes, twined about wires up to the
roof, where they clustered in bright hued
punches.
Along the route persons stared in
amazement at this queer coach all GOV.
cred with garlands of flowers.
The two women were always together,
but associated very little with thei1
neighbors. They were not proud, and
having the best of hearts were the first
to offer to care for a sick child or to
give to others in distress. Indeed the
foreigners who knew them we'll loved
them sincerely, even though they did
feel somewhat oppressed by what they
termed "their grand manners.
There was, however, some one who
was all devotion to Zette and her mother.
1t was q young gymnast of two and
twenty in a large travelling circus that
had very nearly the same itinerary as
Mime. Floury. His name was Jacques
but on the playbills they spelled it Jack
He was exceedingly handsome and of nc
common type. There was fire in his eyet
and much intelligence in his smile
There was, too, much tenderness in this
same smile, especially when he spoke tt
Zette. His love for this pretty brunette
so unlike any other woman he haG
seen about him in his wandering life
was very sincere.
Near her he felt himself quite another
man towhat he was in the circus There
was such an atmosphere of honesty sur
rounding Zette that his own manners
when with her, were altogether different
from what they had been, and he was
astonished at how well they became him
Then, too, he had dreamed of being
loved by this sweet girl and of nevel
being separated from her. Their posi-
tions accorded admirably. His salary
was good, and some day perhaps HI
might enter one Of the great circuses o.
Lyons or Paris. 1t would be charming
to find SO sweet little wife awaiting
his coming after his work was done.
He had often spoken to Zette of thest
plans. He loved her SO dearly that il
could not be possible she did not love
him at least little.
Zette always listened silently, visibly
touched by what she heard, and HI
thought each time she would say "Yes, ;
but when he had finished by asking, will
such pleading in his eyes, "Will you b.
my wife, Zette?" she replied very grave
ly, "No."
Then Jacques would be astonished
Why not? Could it be that she did no
believe him when he said he loved her
that she had no confidence in him; tina
she did not love him?
eyes, I love you," Zette answered
sweetly, "but I do not wish to marry
you"
And she would never say why.
One day, however, Nine. Flour,
blamed her for refusing the hand Of thi
brave lad.
"Listen, mother" she said. IT ador,
Jacques, and believe shall always re
main single because I do not wish t.
marry him. Do you remember the da,
when we went together to the circus?
saw as we entered how all the womel
who were there turned their lorgnette
toward him, and afterward they smilet
and talked about him and tried to at
tract his attention by applauding him
! ought, perhaps to have been proud t.
think that this man whom they all want
ed loved me, and that I had only to sa,
the word to be his wife. All, well, il
my heart there was nothing but jealousy
I wanted to tear the lorgnettes ava,
from those women. From what suffer
ed that evening understood how :nucl
more I might suffer if we were married
No, that cannot be. He is too handsome
See? Suppose some day, when he hat
grown tired Of me, one of those women
should take him from me. Iwould di,
surely. You Inow now, mother, why
cannot say yes .
But Notwithstanding this obstinate re
fusal, which he could not explain, Jacque
came every day. He no longer mention
ed the subject to Zette, understanding
that he was contending against q fixet
resolve, except once when he said to her
"You will not have me, Zette, and
do not wish any other woman. SOM
day, though, you may change your mind
and then you need only hold out You
hand and sayto me, Let us be married
and it will make me happy. ="
So after thus simply settling the affai
Jacques was like brother in the house
Twas he who in the springtime plant