The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1897-01-12

another, Claude left the theatre, feel.
ing that it mattered not to him whether
the play was successful.
The next morning handsome
equipage stopped before the building
| and footman mounted the stairway,
shifted haughtily rs though tho neigh.
borhood was little to his liking, In.
quirel ''uppishly" OF the lsndIady
where NJ Claude Moran was TO b.
found and then proceeded on his up.
ward journey with grant OF dissatis
faction.
Come in" shouted the poet, who
was taking his morning meal.
The footmsn strobe arrogantlJ
through the doorway and gezed con.
tempuously at the shabby surround.
ings.
us this NJ. Claude Mornin?" lie
asked.
cit is; what do you want?'
What do l wantP Well, L have tc
deliver this message"
why don't you, and be quick about
it, for I'm busy"
The footman became more naughty,
put handed to the poet an envelope.
The poet opened it and read briei
message. HIS became red with coutu.
sion and remained standing thera in
| ecstasy. The footman shifted from
foot to foot. Who was this shabby
| fellow who kept him waiting so long?
"Well, the answer?' sail the foot.
man, finally.
"Oh, you're still here, are you? [
had forgotten about YOU. Just tell
your mistress will call at the hour
appointed.
''rell her what?" repeated the
amazed servant.
"rell the countess what 1 have said
and 60, as / am busy"
When the footman hal departed,
Claude gazed ut the note with rapture.
"Will you not come and see your old
friend. Julie, at o'clock this after
noon?" At first he thought Of refus-
ing, remembering the forid man, his
patron. Besides, he had entered into
base conspiracy with his rival.
These poems And then he told him
self he would see her Mt all hazards.
He counted what money he had and,
DOMINIC his best clothes, went into a
general merchandise establishment,
where he purchased new gloves, n new
necktie and sundry other articles of
attire of which he was In urgent need.
He hired n carriage at the appointed
hour and repaired to her home.
She seemed like tho same Julie he
had known ten years ago. She greet
ed him with n blush.
at Is long since we hive met" she
said. III saw your play last night"
For an hour Claude was in EIysium.
She had grown very attractive and he
asked himself if this could be his old
playmate, the little Julie whose par
ents' estate had adjoined that of his
father. Clauie's rapture was broken
by servant entering with the card OF
his rival.
"FelI him I AN busy to day." sail
the little countess. you are q poet,
| understand"
Claude began to stammer when she
opened an enameled box and took
therefrom N.large package of poems.
81 sent for you to ask you if these
verses are sincere?"
Really, l am no jud Ee."
ooh, l don't care for the poem.
themselves, but what they conceal.
Take this one, for example. AsIrenl
| down, the first letter of each line [
find what? 'Cluude AMI Julie That
is what it spells Strange, isn't it,"
cit is rather peculiar" murmureI
the embarrassed poet.
''Now here is another. The samo
test and l find: Il love Julie Is
that coincidence? it might be, but
that the letters OF the last six lines
spell what? Why, Claude So VIC
have: Il love Julie, Cluude. So all
through the poems 1 find secretive
love messages from certain Claude.
Again, he tells me his full name in
this Ode to tho Midnight Wind {:
Claude Morain, jules boy lover. l
find ciphers everywhere, " laughed the
Countess. Your poems are regular
puzzles Now what want TO know is
what do you mean by IT."
Nothing, / assure you, absolutely
nothing" stammered the poet.
why, You. C!uude-a deoeivor,'
said she, merrlIy. "Then those were
more words-mere nothingsl Alas.
whom are We TO believe in this world ?''
mo, no." protested the poet. "I
did intend them of coursc-I could
not forget-so you see 80
"a lucid explanation, truly sho
exclaimed gayly and nc became more
! confused.
cit is the only one L have to give. -
ho said humbly or can only ask your
| pardon for"
The countess now faced him with
/ flashing eyes and determined mlou.
"Did you, or did YOU MOI, mean
what you wrote?'
He became just as dcfaut. All hi.
| embarrassment vanished.
'I did mean those words. did
not know you would see them. I am
sorry you have. AMI now, good
bye"
"Stay."
'Julici'
"Aro you engaged this evening,
| Claude?"
"No that is"
Then you must take mo go tn,
theatre; will expect you here, md.
perhaps, Claude, we will see mnuv o
your plays together.
As he entered his clrri1ao he aa~
her gazing out OF tho window. Sl,
blushed and drew book then Jon
] v,rIrf-trf.r tL-....