The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1901-11-14

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II have no time nov; I must make
a few sous first was the reply.
'Here is five franc piece said the
old gentleman, "now have a jolly
Christmas and play bagatelle.p ID .
Tears rolled down the boys cheeks
as he murmured his thanks to his
benefactor, who disappeared in the
throng of shoppers. think of me
when you play" were the words that
rang in his ears all through that glori-
Gus Christmas. How could he forget
that celestial beauty, with peerless
| complexion and honest blue eyes? She
was far beyond the ideals of the novels
he had read. He felt that he could die
for her.
For two years Felix continued his
trade on the crossing. He spent many
a leisure moment at the toyshop win
dow, but it was love that attracted
him now, hopeless love for the sweet
faced clerk. All he had learned about
her was that her name was Elise. He
had been employed by her to bring
billets-douX to a fne-looking young
officer who lived in nearby hotel.
He hated the very sight of the dudish
soldier. Once he looked over his
shoulder when he penned a reply and
caught the words: "Ma Chere Elise"
Felix obstinately refused to take
pay for these services and his heart
filled with jealousy every time he saw
! Eise's sweetheart. But he was careful
not to betray his sentiments either to
her or the young officer. .,....
One day Felix was surprised to find
Elise in agitated conversation with an
aged couple and the proprietor of the
with anger and then she burst out in
tears. Finally he saw her put on her
hat and cloak and follow the old couple
into a waiting carriage. The thought
suddenly occurred to him that he
would never see her again.
In a jiffy Felix, leaving his basket on
/ the sidewalk was stationed on the
rear of the landau which was driven
/ rapidly through the streets. It
/ stopped in front of a young ladies'
/ seminary. a large old structure, sur
rounded by high wall. ...-.,..
Felix saw Elise alight and with tear
stained face she was led through the
7 gate 10y the old couple. For an hour
/ boz waited across the street. Then the
/ old people returned and were driven
away in the carriage. .-y.. -.
How to gain an entrance into the
| seminary. how to help Elise in her APP
parent plight We're the thoughts
prompted by Felix love. He resolved
to ask for any kind of employment,
! pleading to be homeless. Fortunately
| the gardeners assistant had been dis
charged on the previous day, so he was
engaged on the spot.
On the following morning Elise
could hardly suppress her joy when
| she saw Felix at work in the garden.
He slipped a note he had carefully
| prepared into her hand. 1t simply
asked what he could do for her.
That very evening Felix was reading
her reply in his little bedroom over
the stable. 1t said:
MY Dear Felix: How did you find the
place where they have taken me? thank
Go for me My father is a poor notary in
| the suburbs. He wants to force me to
marry an old, rich baron, the gentleman
who gave you the five-franc gold pieos one
Christmas eve. But though he is a good
old soul love only Julien Broulade, the
Young officer to whom you have taken my
notes. My parents have learned my secret.
AS am not of age am given the alterna-
tive of remaining in this horrid school or
marrying the old baron. Dear Felix, go to
Julien and tell him where l am. You alone
can save me. Yours gratefully,
...... .... ,...,-....... ELISE" 5,
Every word in the letter was a
blow to Felix. ''She only loves this
young officer and l must save her for
him" he said to himself again and
again. He worshiped the ground she
stepped on. He could do anything,
even lay down his life for her But
his soul struggled against this. re-
quest Then he would grow angry at
himself for. presuming that the
son of convicts dared to covet the pos
session of this pure soul. For hours
he Writhed in agony on his cot. Then
his heroic spirit conquered and he de-
termined to save her. ;t's,- "a .ciat
In the morning Felix went to,Ju1ien
Brouiade and told him where they had
carried his sweetheart. As he had not
heard from her for three days the,
young officers anxiety was greatly re-
lieved and when he learned how Felix
had made his way into the Seminary
he could not find words to express his /
gratitude. ~ai., H. !n f"c j. j,.9l I
Il will do anything in the world for
you,' he said! 81 am going to take
Elise far away from Paris and want
youto go with u.s." 40; <. ..it,. .4..s !l y
Make Elise happy, replied Felix,
E@and I Will feel sufficiently rewarded
+ = The 4otficer looked surprised at
Felix, who hadi turhed suddenly very
pale. ,.. '''''' ,'''' - 7!'I%4 J" :
fare you i'll 2, he asked k a. /. -
"No, i am not i'll. i haYe not slept
since last night and was much worriedf
over this atfair.9go tasr-s =
81 i,.@l &C.. -------. % u,tiid ,.I, |
Julien and Elise eloped and were
married. Two days later they babe
| farewell TO Felix Before Sailing for
lAlmlerica.,", They never learned that
anything but gratitude prompted the 4
T