River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1896-09-24

the officers fiirted. laughed. danced, but
never seemed 10 think of marriage.
To please the colonel's daughter for
the sake Of present enjoyment was well
enough To carry matters as far as
marriage was another song whose air
not one of them seemed disposed to
learn, at least not one who was received
with favor. For about a year the girl
had hal n timid. shrinking admirer
whom she openly ridicuied after the
fashion II cOquettes.
This lover was 4 large toyish fellow
with a red mustache ami blue eyes. a
native OF Lorraine and educated - the
Saint Mrxcnt school. IL had joined
the army at the age of Is, had been
wounde1 at the battle of Coulmiers, and
wore a medal. The other officers looked
upon him rs an inferior because re had
teen trained at Saint Cyr. of peasant
parentage. he was robust and sturdy.
little inclined to talk, though well in
formed Brilliant on the field, be felt
out of his element in n dIawing-roOm.
lie scarcely knew how 10 dance. The
fear Of being impolite In i once induced
him to ask the young lady for dance.
But he had sn mixed up the figures of
the cotiIlon 10y his lack of skill that he
rever attempted IL n second time. lie
would more willingly have faced a bat
terry in action than all these knocking
smiles.
Hidden in q window recess for hours.
he watched his ad0red one Waiting
with vivacity and grace. His eyes fol-
lowed the small head through the whirl-
ing thrOng. and caressed the beautiful
white shoulders. Sometimes he was
bold enough to approach the mother
and engage in cOnveTsatiCa. This was
the extent Of his advances.
With feelings of bitter envy he saw
his comrades lowering around the girl.
each trying his best to secure favor.
lie said TO himself: Some day | will
hear that she is to marry some Of these
favored ones; then all will be over In
the desolate silence 81 his chamber he
gave up 20 his despair. He tried TO rea-
son with himself How foolish he was
20 even think Of this spoiled child OF
fortune. suited only 10 luxurious sur
roundings. She was not intended for
poor officer.
But in spite of himself his thoughts
few towards her. He saw her in his
dreams smiling and whiring in the
dance. She seemed 10 becl1on TO him
with Irritating cOquetry. He thought:
Who knows; she might accept n'e."
At the thought his heart beat so fast
that he was nearly stified.
At last he could contain himself no
longer. His life became uncomfortable.
He went to the major. who had always
taken an interest in him. and begged
him TO sound the coloue! on the subject
Of a marriage with his daughter with
out making 4 formal proposal. He
passed that day on the borders os the
Swiss lake in the garden of Versailles.
watching the crp jump in the sun,
and the future looted very dark before
him.
That evening the major took him aside
and said. briefly:
Il have seen the colonel: he was
courtesy itself. and here is his answer:
Your prOtege has not cent: my daugh-
ter has no dowry; IL would be to Cniie
hunger and thirst lie was right: for
get the young lady. II YOU feel disap-
pointed. console yourself with study
ing military tactics"
The lieutenant thanked him. but he
did not try TO console himself As off,
GERS were needed to gu to Tonquia. he
offered his services The following
week he embarked NJ Brest. And while
Efth q bursting heart he was borne