The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1898-07-22
Pierre's Sweetheart

One evening, in a smart Ii.tle cafe II
the Champs Eiysees, two men sat sippin:
/ their absinthe and smoking. One was al
italian, whose scrupulous care in the mat
ter OF dress was In striking contrast II
that OF his companion, Frenchman, wine
had the appearance Of being a dweller II
/ the Latin quarter. The air which foatet
! in through the open window was warn
and balmy, and conducive 20 meditation
and dreams. and for some minutes both
/ sat and smoked in silence. Then the
| Frenchman. who was the younger of the
| two leant forward and touched MS friend
| on the arm
II have propogition-a problem-to set
! to you. Matteo" The person addressed
held up his hands deprecatingly.
mo confessions. I beg of you, Pierre;
my absinthe is scarcely touched, and your
confessions. my dear friend, are most dis
tressing to one of my temperament"
1T Is nothing" said Pierre II just
want your advice. Surprising you were
in love with woman"
Impossible. my dear Pierre; the sup
position you are starting with is impos-
siole. However, wen let that pass"
We'll. supposing this woman you loved
went the way Of other women, and con-
fessed 10 you that, although she loved
you she intended becoming the wife Of
a wrinkled, decrepit old wretch whose
banking account and title alone raise him
10 the dignity of a mana being from
whom she shrinks every time he lifts her
in his arms and kisses her. What would
you do. Matteo?"
1T depends, Pierre, how much you love.
The woman will probably not change her
mind. Women are so wicked. Perhaps
they do not think it is wrong to marry a
man old enough to be their father or
grandfather. But you do, Pierre, and at
the bottom Of my heart I do. Can you
wait a year-perhaps two years? Then
she may be free again to marry you"
No" said Pierre, Il can't
THE deucer exclaimed Matteo. Then,
it's awkward
You're right, Matteo. That's the point
I've reasoned 1t out, too. 1t is awkward"
Matteo rested his chin in his hands and
looked into the other mans eyes.
Il might be better able to suggest If you
told me the woman's name" he said.
Yes. perhaps you might" Pierre an
swered thong htfully. I'm be frank with
you. The woman is your sister, Matteo,
and 1 love her"
During the pause which followed an
ugly CLEAN came into the Italians eyes.
You love my sister," he said, slowly,
emphasizing each word. You, a French
man! an unknown painter! a Bohemian!
Mon dieu; that IS droli: 1t makes me
laugh. But my sister is not for you, you
fool See! l laugh at you. / snap my fin
gers in your face. See! 1 kick YOU"
And after lunging savagely with his
foot beneath the table he leant back in
his chair and laughed mockingly.
The Frenchmans face became pale, but
otherw4e he was unmoved.
rage, and lifting his glass Of absinthe he
tossed the contents across the table full
in Pierre's face.
The Frenchman rose and stepping across
to where his assailant was seated, with
the back of his hand struck him a heavy
blow in the mouth.
In moment the Italian was on his feet,
and as the two men closed a bright wea-
pom flashed in the Southerners hand. But
Pierre was too quick and grasped his
treacherous opponents wrist tightly.
Then, eXerting all his strength, he flung
him into the corner of the room, where,
with a little groan, he fell heavily on
the stIetto, which went deep into his
side. Immediately a crimson stain spread
over the floor and Pierre stepped back
aghast.
For a minute all was still.
Pierce Matteo gssped. II have some
thing TO say to you"
Pierre approached. It was evident the
Italian was dying.
Come nearer" said the dying man,
family.
Pierre bent over him.
Nearer STILL he murmured. "'Tis hard
to talk"
Pierre knelt down.
what is it?' he asked.
This said Mateo, as with q last eff
fort he drew Pierre down on him, and
the stilletto from his side,
plunged it twice rapidly into his oppo-
nent's back
''She is not for you
A cruel smile Of triumphant mockery
crossed the Italians face.
Then both men fell back dead.
And month later one of the loveliest
women in Paris-a woman with cheeks
ike sun-kissed peaches, was led 10 the
altar by lettering old man, with fea-
lures distorted by vice and dissipation.
and with one foot in the grave. 1t was
Pierres Observation-Disclosures.