The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1900-03-27
One Way to Fame
BY Howard Marcus Strong.

A NTONIE, a bookseller of the Quai
~ 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 10 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
a shabby bibliomaniac who simply
browsed. Along toward noon business
grew brisker, and even a Member of
the Institute paused to look over the
stock.
This is a glorious day, friend" he
observed in measured tones; but be-
fore Antonio could word reply, sal
low-faced young man pushed forward
and demanded instant attention.
Zone copy of 'Une Feuille Morte, "
he cried. 1.-TWO copies-three-all 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 gold piece. Then, to
the establishment 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 i'll" he raved. Il will
destroy every copy in Paris-in France
none shall escape me. 'Une Feuille
Morte' must not be read"
Persons in the street paused to learr
the cause of the disturbance. The gam
ms formed a circle around the young
man and jeered at his insane conduct
In return the victim crumpled NJ
handfuls of printed leaves and hurled
them in the faces of his tormentors. A
the very height of the excitement car
riage drove up and beautiful woman
sprang out.
"Louis!" she cried, forcing her wa.
through the dense crowd. Louis, m.
love, forgive!"
The young man started violently ant
qazed about as if unable to believe hi
senses. In a hoarse voice he cried:
"Who speaks?"
81 my love-" said the woman, as sh
ran forward and threw her arms aroun'
his neck. 81, Marie d'Amoureux."
There was murmur of surprise from
the onlookers. The writer of ''Un
Feuille Morte' They were one
lovers"
Louis" pleaded the woman, "forgiv
J be. was carried away by my sue
cess. 1 still love you"
Leave me-" cried Louis harshly.
will have no words with you"
Louis" said the woman, as she quick
" mounted the parapet, "if you do no
forgive me-if you still renounce m
love, will throw myself into tn
river"
The young man turned on his he'
without a woodland that instant Mari
d'Armoureux leaped from the parape
AS she struck the water, Louis uttere
wild cry of remorse, and, before an
J one could stay him, followed the won
an into the Seine.
Old Antonio was so overcome b
the excitement that he sank down o
his Stool and painted for breath. I'll
Identified Member of the Institut
seized a book-back and famed him vii
orously.
} "They are saved!" shouted Il
crowd. "a boatman has rescued ther
. He has dragged them into his barge
r Thank Godl" calculated the Men
Der. "She has the eyes and hair of a
angel" And then to Antonio: "Ha'
= you seen them before? You must 6,
me her book-'Une Feuille Morte.' !"
"The man l have seem" replied Il
old bookseller; "but the woman neve
1t is not long since / caused the ARE
of this same Louis. 1t was very sad
They are being restored on II
barge, said the Member. Il viii wa