Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1898-07-14

was IL S0aQOW more deep Indu
usual? Jules was sure he saw the rosy
lips tremble; the long, black lashes
culver. Yes! slowly her right hand was
raised; her ruby lips parted, disclos-
ing row of pearly teeth; slowly she
stepped down from the window plat
form and, throwing about her shoulders
black lace scarf, passed through the
glass as though 1t were mist and laid
her hand upon Jules arm.
How, mon ami" lisped sweet voice
in the Partisan accent Jules so loved to
hear, "are you not glad to have me
come? For two long years, morning
and night, / have smiled down at you
and mgrmured words of love. Tonight
then | am free-free for few short
hours of happiness with you. And did
you not speak of a-petit souper, my
Jules?"
Many time had the little French
man prayed that the figure of his love
might come to life and speak to him,
and now, In the realization of his wish,
he was so astounded and confused that
he knew not whether he was awake or
dreamed. Furtively he pinched him.
self; the pinch was real, and real the
gentle touch upon his arm. Overcom-
ing with an effort his timidity and
summoning all his courage, he gallant
ly responded and led his charmer to
the best French restaurant he knew.
The next few hours were to him an
ecstatic, dream. In the intervals of
passionate address and sweet response,
he dimly realized that between him and
his loved one there lay a sumptueus
repast; that nimble walters flew about
to do his bidding, and champagne corks
popped merrily-then, all too soon, he
stood once more before the plate glass
window in the deserted street, and his
Annette was whispering in his ear q
soft good night
"Bonpe mutt. mon Jules, adieu-and
that thou mayst forget me not, this
pledge 1 give to thee" and speaking
thus she slipped upon the little finger
of his ungloved hand glistening ring.
Then, passing through the glass, she
threw from off her shoulders the light,
lace scarf, her arms fell easily to her
sides, @ culver shook the slender form
and slowly 1t sank back to its accus-
toned pose.
"Apnette, Anpettel" cried Jules and
stretched his arms impulsively to draw
her back to him! his hands struck VIC
lently against the cold, hard glass, and
through it, beyond his reach, the waXen
face smiled down at him the sweet, sad
smile 1t had worn since first he saw 1t
there.
A distant clock struck three, A po-
lioeman pacing his beat scowled sus-
pIciously at the foreigner lingering be-
fore the fashionable shop. Jules heaved
sigh and pinched his arm again and,
as he did so, the glitter of diamond
on the little finger of his right hand
caught his eye. Then It was reall 1t
must be real, for never had he owned
OF worn a ring before. Passionately
kissing his hand to the motionless fig
are in the window and muttering in
coherent words of love, he turned at
the officers gruff command to move
on, and wandered unsteadily toward his
aome,
When Jules Lemaitre awoke late the
uext morning, he found himself pos
;essed of both an aching head and an
Unsuitable thirst. One by one the events
If the night came back to him; the
bachelor dinner; the stories which his
friends had told; the many toasts they
drank, among them his own, to o
mysterious Annette"
Annette! realization of what had
happened flashed over him; he trem-
bled and closed his eyes, lest he might
wake and find 1t all dream. Then,
suddenly came to him remembrance
of the ring-and yet he dared not look
to see if it really were there. Slowly,
with his left hand he clasped his right;
slowly felt downward-downward, to-
ward his little finger-and then he ut
tered wild cry and sat upright, for
there, sparkling in the sunlight which
fell across the bed, he felt and saw
the ring!
With trembling hands the little
Frenchman made hasty toilet and
hurried out into the busting city to the
Twenty-third street shop. Yes, there
she stood in her accustomed place Her
smile was just a. sweet, as from be-
meath her long, dark lashes she looked
down on Jules, but not by SO much as
culver of an eyelid did she show sign
of life. With brain whirling in confu-
sion and distress, the little Frenchman
betook himself to the restaurant, with
er he had taken her few short hours
before; but no one recognized him
there nor understood the timid ques-
tons that he asked. Heavy-hearted
he retreated to a small cafe, and sat
before table gazing, oblivious of time
upon the diamond ring, his breakfast
untasted and the Courier des E'tatS
Unis" unread before him.
Jules Lemaitre is stout, we'll
groomed, contented-looking bachelor
of 40 now, from whose appearance one
would never dream of such a romance
in his life. For many years he cherished
it deep in his inmost heart, and then
to me, his dearest friend, upon the
eve of his return to France, he first con-
fded it.
"None," he answered, with a shrug
of his shoulders, when l asked if he
had any theory in explanation of the
strange AFFAIR." 81 have re ring, yor
see. But, even had l it not, 1 would be-
lieve She have come to life and dine wiz
Novoi, cbo1l FORGET zat night