The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1895-05-29

Mile. Antonio, SOmnambule Extra lu-
eide
Her mother called her Zette-her real
name was Suzanne.
She was pretty girl, not very large
with fair complexion and long black
hair that she let float about her during
her consultations, though ordinarily she
wore it i'll loose coil upon tho napo of
neck that was perfect
Never having done much work, her
hands were delicate and we'll 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 i'll some quiet color, with the gait of
wise little worllwoman, one would
never have suspected her strange calling.
Her mother, Nine. Floury was as lit
tic like Others of her class as her daugh-
ter. About her there was nothing in
common with the shrews who frequent
fairs i'll red dresses and soiled skirts.
She had the air of Il little merchant who
was good and proper, with winning,
honest smile, and people stopped before
the carriage and even entered there
without thinking of the charlatanisn
on the posters) i'll order to see the intori-
or of this small dwelling that smelled
SO sweet.
The vehicle was painted brown, with
a thread of gold running the lengths of
the plinths. There was a tiny balcony
Ill front of it, and on this balcony con-
volvulus and nasturtium vines, planted
Ill boxes, twined about wires up to the
roof, where they clustered in bright hued
lunches.
Along the route persons stared in
amaZement at this queer coach all COW
cred with garlands of flowers.
The two women were always together.
but associated very little with their
neighbors. They were not proud, and
having the best of hearts were the first
to offer to care for sick child or TO
give to others i'll 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 young gynnast of two and
twenty i'll large travelling circus that
had very nearly the same itinerary as
Nine. Floury. His name was jacques,
but on the playbills they spelled it Jack.
he was exceedingly handsome and of no
common type. There was fire in his eyes
and much intelligence i'll his smile.
There was, too, much tenderness in this
same smile, especially when he spoke to
Zette. His love for this pretty brunette
so unlike any other woman he had
O1N III L.. 4
was very sincere.
Near her he felt himself quite another
man TO what 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
astonishednt how we'll they became him.
Then. too, he had dreamed of being
loved by this sweet girl and Of never
being separated from her. Their posi-
tions accorded admirably His salary
was good, and some day perhaps he
might enter one Of the great circuscs of
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 Zctte of these
plans. He loved her so dearly that it
could not be possible she did not love
him at least n little.
Zette always listened silently, visibly
touched by what she heard, and he
thought each time she would say Eyes, "
but when he had finished-by asking, with
such pleading in his eyes, Twill You be
my wife, Zette?" she replied very grave
ly, "No.
Then Jacques would be astonishcd
Why not? Could it be that she did not
believe him when he said he loved her;
that she had no confidence in him; that
she did not love him?
Yes. love you" Zette answered
sweetly, 'but I do not wish to marry
you. "
And she would never say why
Ono day, however. Nine Floury
blamed her for refusing the hand of this
brave lad
Listen, mother" she said II adore
Jacques, and [ believe L shall always re-
main single because 1 do not wish TO
marry him. Do you remember the day
when we went together to the circus? I
saw as we entered how all the women
who were there turned their lorgnettcs
toward Kim, and afterward they smiled
and talked about him and tried to at
tract his attention by applauding him.
ought perhaps to have been proud to
think that this man whom they all want
ed loved me, and that had only to say
the word to be his wife All, well, in
my heart there was nothing but jealousy
wanted to tear the lorgncttcs away
from those women. From what I suffer
cd that evening | understood how much