The Worthington advance., 1899-11-03
One Way to Fame
By Howard Marcus Strong.


A NTONIE, a bookseller of the Quai
n d'Orsay, tried two matches on the
asphalt pavement, and was then forced
to resort to the lining of his coat, for
the morning was very damp. Having
at last lighted the tobacco in his short
clay pipe, he proceeded to arrange his
wooden cases along the parapet of the
river. Next he affixed the price tags
ranging from ~ to 100 SOUS and hung
, out two glaring "Une Feuille Morte"
posters.
Thus prepared for custom, the an
cient Antonio seated himself on his
little camp stool and shivered until the
sun came through the fog, bringing
with it fat priest who purchased, and
shabby bibliomaniac who simply
browsed. Along toward noon business
grew bris1er, and even Member of
the Institute paused to look over the
stock.
'"This is glorious day, friend," he
observed in measured tones; but be-
fore Antonio could word reply, a sal
AON AdNSu y Jou1lSo 1AeIIA HuoACo AOA wal ~
and demanded instant attention.
''One copy of 'Une Feuille Morte,'"
he cried. 1.-Two copies-three-an that
you have-quick!"
''There is but one left" said An
tonic, producing a red-and-gold vol
ume; ''they sell very readily of late.'
With a fierce cry, of anger, the young
man flung down a gold piece. Then, to
the astonishmeht of all beholders, he
caught up the book, wrenched it in
two, and tearing out page after page,
wildly stamped them under foot.
"A curse upon it," he raved. II will
destroy every copy in Paris-inF France
none shall escape me. 'Une Feuille
Morte' must not be read"
Persons in the street paused to learn
the cause of the disturbance. The gam
ins formed circle around the young
man and jeered at his insane conduct.
In return the victim crumpled up
handfuls of printed leaves and hurled
them in the faces of his tormentors. At
the very height of the excitement car
riage drove up and beautiful woman
sprang out.
''Louis!" she cried, forcing her way
through the dense crowd. 'Louis, my
love, forgive!'
TheEoung man started violently and
gazed about as if unable to believe his
senses. In hoarse voice he cried:
''Who speaks?"
II my love-" said the woman, as she
ran forward and threw her arms around
his neck. II, Marie d'Amoureux."
There was a murmur of surprise from
the onlookers. The writer of ''Une
Feuille Morte' -'They were once
lovers"
''Louis," pleaded the woman, ''forEive
be. I was carried away by my sue
cess. I still love YOU"
"Leave me,'' cried Louis harshly. II
will have no words with you.''
''Louis," said the woman, as she quick
ly mounted the parapet, ''if you do not
forgive me-if you still renounce my
love, I will throw myself into the
river.''
The young man turned on his heel
without word-and that instant Marie
d'Armoureux 1eaped from the parapet.
AS she struck the water, Louis uttered
a wild cry of remorse, and, before any
one could stay him, followed the wom-
an into the Seine.
Old Antonio was so overcome by
the excitement that he sank down on
his stool and painted for breath. The
dignifed Member of the Institute
seized book-back and famed him vig-
orously.
.'They are saved!" shouted the
crowd. "A boatman has rescued them.
He has dragged them into his BARGE"
''Thank God!" calculated the Mem
ber. ''She has the eyes and hair of an
angel" And then to Antonio: "Have
you seen them before? You must get
me her book-'Une Feuille Morte.'"
'The man have seen," replied the
old bookseller; 'but the woman never.
It is not long since caused the arrest
of this same Louis. It was very sad"
.''They are being restored on the
BARGE laid the Member. II will wait
until tney are brought up. Come now,
what OF this one of the yellow
lace?"
+ It was seldom that Antonio had 50
distinguished a listener, and he related
the incident with great relish.
.'"i had noticed this Louis,' he began.
''E yry morning he would come and
look, but go away without buying. One
day gentleman came to me and said:
.Antonie, you are, being robbed by a
I young man with. sallow face. J.
can see it all from my window across
the way. Keep your eyes open and
have the police at hand ..r.E tasry
1T same about the very next morn.