The Dupuyer acantha. [volume] (Dupuyer, Mont.) 1894-1904, 1896-12-31

hAJ v o'Pto
little curious. being a woman. She
must notice I am always in. Perhaps
I.did attract her attention in spite OF
my blunders; on account of them, per-
haps. Possibly she knows l love her
and is expecting al avowal, and, see
ing l dare not speak-who knows $50
much may be expected of women? she
may some day drop her work, cross
that landing, push open my door
which / never shut-enter my room
and say:
Since you will not come I SHALL"
All! but that might be a long time
coming!
Still straddling his post of observa-
ton he would ruminate on the many
devices presenting themselves to his
mind in order to hasten matters. TO
slip a note under her door? He had
often thought of that, but would she
read it? And supposing she did, would
lot the first passionate word offend
her and cause her to tear up his mis-
sive in anger? To get some one to
speak for him? Whom? They had
no mutual friend. Decidedly none of
| these means were practicable and the
only thing to do was to wait. How
long?
1t was getting late, very late. Char
lotte, still at work, began to sing to
keep from falling asleep. Jacques kept
time, following the rhythm by rocking
himself to and fro, which went very
well when the movement was SLOW,
but when 1t quickened with the spir-
tied passages of the song the game
became a dangerous one and taxed
the poor old chair beyond it's capacity
for gymnastics.
The whole modern repertory was re-
viewed. Now came Faust"
"Ah, if he were here!"
But he is there!' Jacques almost
cried. In turn came selections from
"Rigoletto," ~"Trovatore," Barber OF
Seville" etc. Hours flew by and Jacques
never tired of listening to this concert.
Charlotte herself must have wearied,
for presently the programme altered,
Romances and reveries succeeded cav
aterias and operate airs. h vibrat-
ing tones of her voice were subdued
> to suit the low, sweet melodies which
followed her former efforts, one of the
: soothing effects of the change being
: to lull jacques into a slumber, though
} ever in his sleep he kept alive to thu
1 music and followed every note uttered
by the fair singer.
= All at once Charlotte, who %probabl!
decided she must keep awake at an.
, cost, started into a lively song, LII
Valse DIES Roses" by Oliver Metra, on
- of those wildly delirous waltzes whicl
would make the dying long for the us
Of their feet.
Jacques must have been dreamin
q and dreaming he was waltzing, for, en-
folding his chair, he started, whirle
two or three times and then both mao
man and chair fell to the floor with
crash. There was a dreadful commc
ton; the floor shook. A scream ran
p through the air but it did not issu
from jacques lips.
10 1t would have been impossible fc
10 him to utter any sound. He had falle
on his face, split his forehead open an
ct tainted.
When he came to himself, a fe
hours later, he was lying upon the be
al his head was bandaged, and a womf
A. sat neal watching him.
r. What! you here, mademoiselle?"
Certainly, monsieur, l heard such
,r noise in this room last night 1 fear,
some terrible tragedy was taking plaC
l came quickly and found you lyil
upon the floor unconscious. 1t is
right now, there is no danger. In
few days no trace will remain but
slight scar. But, tell me, how did y
happen to fall in such an absurd ma
ner with your chair?"
Jacques made no reply, but blush
uneasily.
- Women are quick in seeing a p
8 sion they inspire; Charlotte soon re
= jacques heart.
They chatted quietly until breakf
time. The first step was AIKEN. I
ice broken. How easy to wait now!
They are now married and hap
Charlotte does not work by the {
any more. Jacques has reached t
happy state of things which comes
all who strive and his paintings
sold quite easily, bringing enough
late provide for the demands of their
the pretentious mode of living.
the Two things have been and are 6
mp a matter of wonder and comm
among their friends. On their n
De riage day the "Valse des Roses
.hls played on the organ and a conspicu
hau place in their drawing room is fl
ohs by an old broken chair, so weak
sht, rickety that Charlotte has to fastel
hau together with ribbons in order to m
sou it stand.