The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-07-12

over the fields; his light gayety had
filled the country, penetrated every
where-plants, animals and men. Love
birds few, beating their wings, calling
each other. Jeanne and Jacques, OPP
pressed by the delicious happiness, more
quiet than usual, remained all day side
by side on a bench before the door of
the chateau, not daring to wander
alone, looking with vague eyes at the
pond and the great swans which hoated
on it.
Then evening came, and they felt
calmer. After dinner they seated them
selves by the open window of the sa-
lon, talking in a low voice, their moth
ers playing piquet in the round Of light
formed by the lamp shade, Aunt Lison
knitting stockings for the poor of the
village. A tall forest rose in the dis
lance beyond the pond, and in the foil
age, still small, of the great trees the
moon showed itself. She had risen lit
tie by little through the branches whose
sky in the midst of the stars, which she
dimmed, then she began to give out on
the world that melancholy light where
floats the whiteness of dreams SO dear
to poets and lovers. The young people
looked at it first, then penetrated by the
soft tenderness of the night, by the
ghostiy light on the grass and the trees.
They went out slowly and walked across
the great lawn, white as far as the
water which shone.s
When they had finished their four
rounds of piquet every evening the two
mothers, who began to get drowsy,
wanted to go to bed
I'VE must call the children" said one
The other, with a glance at the pale
horizon where the two shadows wan
dered slowly.
lovely outside. Lison will wait for
them"
Certainly I will wait up for them .
And the two sisters went to bed
Then Aunt Lison rose in her turn.
Leaving on the arm of the chair her
work, worsted and her long needle, she
leaned out of the window and contem-
plated the exquisite night
The two lovers walked without stop
ping across the grass from the pond to
the steps, from the steps to the pond
They had each others hands, but did
not speak-as if they had come out of
themselves and mixed with the visible
poetry which the earth breathed
the window the silhouette of the old
maid made clear by the light of the
lamp.
Look" she cried, Aunt Lison is
watching U.S." Jacques raised his head.
Yes answered he Aunt Lison
is watching u.s.
They continued to dream,to walk slow
ly and to love. But the dew covered
the grass and they felt little shiver OF
cold.
Let us. go in now" she said. They
came back.
When they entered the salon Aunt
Lise began again to knit. Her head was
bowed over her work, her little thin
fingers trembled slightly. as If they
were very tired.
.m.A.untie; we are going to bed now"
The old maid raised her eyes. They
were red as il she had been crying
Jacques and his fiancee did not notice it.
but the young fellow saw the dainty
slippers of the young girl covered with
dew. Seized with anxiety he asked tend
erly:
Are not your dear little feet cold pr
Suddenly the aunts fingers began to
tremble SO violently that her work slipped
down and her worsted ball rolled along
the floor, and then brusQuely hiding her
face in her hands, the old maid began to
cry with great convulsive sobs.. The two
children flew to her. Jeanne on her knees
overcome. opened her arms and asked:
What is the matter. Aunt Lison? What
is the matter?''
Then the poor old thing stammering,
her voice broken with sobs and her body
bowed with grief, answered:
1T was what he asked you-.Are not
your dear little feet cold?' No one ever
said those things to me-never! neveri"