Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-08-08
VENUS TRANSIT.

charming girl sat behind the counter and
smiled upon me not unkindly. From that
moment my fate was sealed. l f1tl nladly
in love with the fair Julie and was seldom
far away from the shop in which she
served.
But never told her Of my passion. How
could |, a poor beggar without expecta
tons, ask this lovely creature to be my
wife. No, l must wait until l had some
thing to offer her worthy of acceptance.
After some weeks spent in this way |
entered the service of Mr.. x, the great
astronomer, as his clerk or secretary. This
took me from that part of Paris where
Julie lived, and as my employer was ex.
acting l saw her but seldom. When l did.
her eyes were sadder than their won't, and
l returned to my post uncheered.
Meanwhile my duties engrossed me. Mr..
x, though a close student, was not wholly
absorbed in scientific researches. He fire.
quently fancied himself in love, and it be-
came my duty from time to time to revise
for him his love letters that he might not
appear ridiculous in the eyes of the por.
ter's daughter or dress cutter whom he
honored with his preference.
One morning while on my way toward
the apartment where we were accustomed
to work l heard d burst of laughter pro-
ceeding from it. Without knocking 1 en-
tered slowly.
Seated on the divan was the modern
Newton. Beside him sat the most beauti-
full creature imaginable. She was from Is
to 30 years of age, with a skin of admi-
rable Wilderness, two dark eyes scintillat-
ing under the level eyebrows and dark,
abundant hair. recognized her instantly.
1t was Julie.
She looked at me roguishly as with a
constrained air I seated myself and began
to read the newspapers, together with the
letters received by post.
II will not trouble you today, sir" said
my employer kindly. "Amuse yourself as
you will. I am engaged"
There was no help for 1t, and I reluc-
family left the room. 1 shot an imploring
glance at Julie, which she pretended not
to SEQ. Was it possible that she, so young
and lovely, had promised herself to this
old graybeardp
All, that was a wretched day! How l
reproached myself for my lack of prompt
ness and courage! 1t is true I was poor,
but Julie had loved me once. OF that l
ACIO oUIO. AIu uOW i u6u lOSU UulS dUOr-
able creature.
A day or SO afterward I found Mr.. x s
valet packing his masters valise.
"Are you going on a journey, them" l
asked.
"No, not l, but the master departs to-
morrow and for some time"
where is he going?"
"It is a secret. That is all he let's us
know. But l suspect" he added mystic
riously, "that it is to be an elopement."
At this moment the astronomer entered,
dressed for travelling.
"A carriage, quick, Guglielmo! l am
late"
"Ahr' said the valet. "You are going
today, them"
He hurried away, but returned quickly
In a hired cab. Mr.. X. entered the vehicle
and gave his instructions to the coachman.
1 resolved to follow him. If this was to
be an elopement, l would prevent it-that
is, If Julie was the woman in the case.
The carriage went on at a great pace.
That demon Of aGuglielmo had by chance
found all excellent horse, but l ran madly
after 1t. We were on tho road to the depot.
Yes, it was evidently to be an elopement,
for Mr.. x. alighted at the great gate, and,
hastily entering, went toward the hall Of
outlet and began to search among the pas
sengers-I we'll knew for whom. Though
painting and disheveled, I had not lost
sight Of him for one moment. I hardly
knew what I should do to prevent this
catastrophe, this overthrow Of all my
hopes, but prevent 1t in some way I would
If I died for it.
"Hasten, monsieur. The train is about
70 depart, - said the guard.
"You have not seen by chance a young
lady, a brunette?" asked Mr.. X.
"Of brunette young ladies there are
more than SO in the train, and the most |
Of them wore a r%osebudp' replied the man, |
laughing.
eyes, yes" replied the astronomer.
but none of them is the one of whom l
speak"
"All aboard! All aboard"
Quickly / bought a second class ticket
and hurried toward the train. My EN-
ployer had reluctantly entered a compart,
ment Of the first class, irritated at not see ,
ing her he sought. With one foot on the J
step I hesltated.
"After all, I had said to myself, "what
shall I accomplish by following himp 1t
may be that Julie will not keep her ap-
pointment. She may have repented, but |
remaining in town I shall"-
l wa interrupted in these reflections by
q hand being placed upon my shoulder. 1
turned. There stood Julie, smiling and
bewitching, in a summer toilet that did
not cost s francs, but which was enchant-
ing. She bore q parasol Of bright color,
v,Ot I upOa onn1nh fn fy}ya ,,r,oh cbo1n hut |
suited to her tiny hand.
"You!" I exclaimed. "You!"
ono one else," she replied. Are you
~displaased?"
At this moment the whistle of departure
sounded, and there was a movement of the
heavy train. From the window of the
Car the astronomer, who had seen us, made
q despairing gesture.
~"Stop-stop!" he cried. Then, with a
.telegraphio movement, impossible to de-
scribe, he added: "Sir, you are q rascal!
Go! Il discharge you'll"
Julie laughed merrily, showing her
pearly little teeth.
ooh, Julie,"I stammered In q trans
port, II love you'll"
"Ah, ah!' she said. $50 / have aroused
you, laggard9"
Passing her arm through mine, she
turned with me, while the train lost itself
In the distance.
We turned quickly to Paris, and the
next day were surprised to receive a letter
from Mr.. x, in which he kindly recon-
me to a friend and sent me 100
for the Is due to me. He expressed
much sorrow at being obliged to part with
me on account Of my sad lack of principle.
It was thus that the illustrious astron-
omer lost the transit Of Venus, and SEQ
what happened to himl After a life Of
study he died a very old man without re-
any national recognition.
As for me, that would be but to relate
the whole story over again. My life his