Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1904-01-28

torlorn little station beside the track.
The road ran south from the plat.
form, sklrting the edge Of a mysterl-
Gus brown wood, and losing itself over
the top Of hill. The prlma donna
led the way with the air Of an IN.
trepid explorer. Her fine eyes bright
ened, an unwonted color flushed her
cheek. and she made naive remarks
about the scenery. They passed
through field where the whitening
stalks tioated pennons and the ground
was silvery with stubble, and reached
the farmhouse. where q child's pale
little triangle of face psersd eagerly
from the window.
'She win surely come" Fleuretts
had said. "She win come. You do
not know my ma'm'seue She never
forgets. She will conner
"Fleurettel Fleurette. II II I. your
own ma'm'selle. And here IL a gen.
tleman who Is dying to make your
acquaintance, and a beautiful puppy,
so new he is not even namedr'
Il knew you'd conner said Fleur.
ette.
The prima donna and the doctor sat
by her sofa, and she looked from one
to the other wisely.
DO you miss me, ma'am'sellei
How do you get along without me at
the performancesr
'Yes, yes; l miss you, Fleurette:
and we get along very indifferently
indeed without YOU"
listen. They are kind to me here
kind. But cannot love them as |
love you and Chum and Nine Bar
toll. miss you so that lie awake
in the night to cry. Do you think I
shall get well soon2 And have no
more painT
Il am sure Of It," said the prima
donna smilingly.
"And may l return and not be lone
ly any more, but very happyT
Not be lonely any more, but very
happy" repeated the prima donna,
still smiling, but biting her lip.
Later they were in the kitchen. The
prima donna was making Cruel, and
the doctor was making love- She had
brown gingham apron about her
waist, and also the doctors arm. She
gazed into the saucepan, sighed deep
ly, and stirred the meal and water.
Can nothing be doneT she asked.
Perhaps. viii consult with a
specialist butt have never seen you
like this before, dearest!
This is not my real self. I am
masquerading in a new role, that is
ALL"
why would you appear to be Gym
icalT
Conscious that she was not pretty
when she really cried, the prima don
ma tried to wink back her tears, but
unsuccessfully, and was reduced to
wiping her eyes with the apron.
II love you," said the doctor. He
was so strong she felt like a child in
his hands.
How sad life isr' she murmured,
her head against his breast, and she
wept-a little at the sorry pageant
of humanity, and good deal for her
own JOY.
They then went back and gave
Fleurette the cruel, which as mere
Cruel was not a success. Not that
Fleurette cared. She was engrossed
| with tho MUMMY ryho IrraetstthI.. 70
unhygienically, licked her cheek and
then the porridge bowl. By and by
she was humming and beating time
with her thin little hand.
''To see you as Marguerite
C'era un re di Thule
To hear you sing 1t once again,
maam'selle, what happinessw
Smiling at her, the diva began to
sing, at first very softly. The notes of
Marguerite's plaintive ballad fell clear
and sweet upon the twilight. The
round red eye OF the stove glowed
upon the little group about the child's
sofa, and the shadowy, motionless
forms that had gathered in the door
way to listen.
|
The girl at home replenished the
fire and Lit the gas. A moment after
ward she heard the prima donna at
the door. She went to meet her and
unfastened her coat. Her friend was
painting and wore an April face, and
the girl suddenly exclaimed:
Darling! Not reailyr
"He Is so strong-and dear. OF
course I'm fool, and it's all prepos-
ferrous and romantic and Arcadian,
and too good to be true In this work
ing day world; but" And the prlma
donna dimpled and smiled and wept
| q ON In