River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1901-11-07


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 Oh 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
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-loolling young
officer who lived in a nearby hotel.
He hated the very sight of the dudish
soldier. Once he looked over his
shoulder when he penned 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
Elise'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
store. At times he saw her turn red
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 jifTy Felix, leaving his basket on
the sidewalk, was stationed on the
rear of the landau which was driven
rapidly through the streets. 1t
stopped in front of young ladies
seminary, a large old structure, sur
rounded by a high wall.
Felix saw Elise alight and with tear
stained face she was led through the
gate by the old couple. For an hour
he waited across the street. Then the
old people returned and were driven
away in the carriage.
How to gain an entrance into the
seminary, how to help Elise in her APP
parent plight were 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. It said:
"My Dear Felix: How did you find the
place where they have taken me? l thank
you beforehand for what / know you will
do 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 fve-franc gold piedn one
Christmas eve. But though he Is good
old soul l 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 | am You alone
can save me. Yours gratefully,
ELISE"
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.
In the morning Felix went to Julien
Broulade and told him where they had
carried his sweetheart. AS he had not
heard from her for three days the
lRHitS bAAANNh AAA-NAGt was LEdt ~ re-
lieyed and when he learned how Felix
had made his way into the seminary
he could not find words to express his
gratitude.
Il will do anything in the world for
You" he said. Il am going to take
Elise far away from Paris and want
you to go with u.s.
MAKE Elise happy" replied Felix,
land | will feel sufficiently rewarded"
The officer looked surprised at
Felix, who had turned suddenly very
pale.
Are you ill?" he asked.
NO, | am not i'll. | have not slept
since last night and was much worried
over this affair.
Julien and Elise eloped and were
married Two days later they babe
farewell to Felix before sailing for
America They never learned that
anything but gratitude prompted the
ueWsboy to save Elise from an OBJ
jectionable match. but they coul not
understand why he persistently re-