Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1898-04-14
THE HOUSE OF EULALIE.
A Pathetic Story Of Parental Dor.
row.

corner OF N0rnan'y, near 'ne so"'
country of orchar IS and COLA fields,
Of soft green meadows where cattle
browsed and OF deep elm-shaded
lanes.
One was rather surprised to see
this little house just here, for all the
other houses in the ncighbonrhood
were rude farm-houses or laborers
cottages; and this was a coquettisll
little chalet, white-walled, with slim
French windows, and balconies OF
twisted work, and Venetian
blinds: gay little pleasure-house,
standing in bl ght little garden
among rose-bushes and parterres Of
geraniums, and smooth stretches oil
greensward. Beyond the garden
there was an orchard--rows and
couples OF old gnarled apple-trees
bending towards one another, IKE
fantastic figures arrested in the mid
lie of dance. Then, turning round
you looked over feathery COLA field
and yellow corn fields, a mile away
to the sea, and to a winding perspec
tive Of white cliffs, which the sea
bathed in transparent greens ant
puppies, luminous shadows OF its owl
nameless hues.
A board attached to the wall con
firmed, in roughly painted characters
the information had mad from al
agent in Dieppe. The house was u
let; and | had driven ont-a drive o
two long hours--to inspect II. Nov
| stood on the doorstep, and ran;
the bell. 1t was big bell, hung II
the porch, with pendent handle +"
bronze, wrought II the semblance 0
a rope and tassel. It's voice carried
as far as a low matched farmhouse
q hundred yards down the road. IRE
sently n man and woman came on
Of the farmhouse, gazed for an IN
slant in. my direction, and thc1
moved towards me; an old brow
man, an old grey woman, the man i
corduroys, the woman wearing nea
white cotton cap and Dlue apron
both moving with the burdencd gal
OF peasants.
You are Monsieur and Madam
'eroux?" ! asked, when we had ne
complished our preliminary good
days.
To my perplexity' this business-.llt
announcement seemed somehow
embarrass them. They exchange
anxious glances with each other Iii
woman clasped her hands, nervonsl
working her fingers. The man hes
tated and stammered a little, bcfor
he was able to repeat vaguely, no
have come to look over the hous'
Monsieur"
Surely" | saif THE agent ma
written to you? | understood fro'
him that you would expect Inc at th
hour to-day"
"0h, yes" the man admitted, ~
were expecting you But he mat
no motion to advance matters.
"You see, Monsieur" the man b.
gan, as If he were about to elucida
the situation, you see" But the
he faltcred, frowning at the air,
one at a loss for words.
"rhe house is already let, pc
aps?" suggested
, mo, the house is not let said he.
"You had better 60 and fetch Il
key" his wife said at last in dreal
way, still looking down.
He trudged heavily back to Il
I farmhouse. While he was gone, '
: stood by the door in silence, the "
:, man always nervously working Il
/. fingers of her clasped hands. ! trio
indeed, to make little conversation
n but did not feel encouraged
}, persist. BY and by her husband T
ioined us. with the key; and thu
q began silently to lead me throIls
the house.
Il There were two pretty drawn
rooms, on the ground floor, a pref
dining-room, and delightful kitche
= with a broad hearth of polished r
}. bricks, n tiled chimney. and shinil
copper pots and pans, The DRAWN
rooms and the dining-room we
pleasantly furnished, in q lig
French fashion, and heir windo'
opened to the sun and tn the fra
rance and greenery OF The garden.
expressed good deal of adm'ratio
a whereupon, little by l'tl'e, the ma
ne ner of my conductors changed. FRI
n constrained, depressed, it became
d sponsive. even, in the end, etrusi
They met my ordinations W
smiles, my inquiries with volu
nj eager answers. There was somethi
NJ painful in their very smiles, ms
~ ~ these were but momcntary ripples
o. the surface of trouble
"Ah." | said to myself, they