Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1905-02-15
HE UXNASk|EG OF THEODORE

The UahASkIKG OF THEODORE
Light did yc come light did We go,
AS summers rose, winters snow,
o little loves of long ago.
Your grave within my heart is made.
Death laid you deep with cunning spade,
o little loves that Powered to fade:
What cared the world? 1t had it's wine,
Soft lips to bite, soft eyes to shine,
0 little loves that once were mine!
Not vain your life your death All! moi
l mourn in songs of perfect woe
My little loves of long ago.
When he had finished there were only
five dry eyes in the cabaret of the Noe
tambules. The patron permitted the eye
that watched the door to pay hurried
tribute; the other was compelled to sur
vey the garcons. The remaining four,
keen as Lecoq and dry as Sahara, twin
killed. below the wicked brows of Bastien
and Toto.
These inquisitive gentlemen gave
Theodore a good start. 1t was not need
ed, for the gentle poet had all but for
gotten his adventure of a year before;
such long spell of immunity from
espionage had lulled him into security:
and he pursued his way toward the
Louvre with a light step and heart re-
jOicing over his latest success. He took
the steam tram for Passy, mounting to
the imperiale. Toto and Bastien found
seats inside
He descends! I know his legs!" said
Toto. Hide your facet"
Bastien blew trumpet blasts behind his
handkerchief.
Now said Toto, we've got him.
Theodore disappeared into the open
door of a blanchisserie, whence a strong
light poured out into the darkness
Bastien and Toto stopped short in the
shadow.
He goes for his wash" whispered
Bastien. But Bastien was wrong, as he
discovered in a moment
1t was very late, but the banchissellse,
plump and pleasing in profile, was still
busy on 4 bunch of collars. She polished
one very deliberately before she looked
up. The watchers saw that her full face
was as charming as her profile
"Eh bien! Pierre" she cried at last
they could hear every word distinctly
chow did your Little Loves go?"
But never mind my Little Loves'-how
are ours?"
Asleep Stree 9-the angels. But
come, off with your coat, mon ami!
These sheets must be mangled before we
shut shop tonight. Quietly now-don't
wake the babes.'
Peering through a corner of the win
dow, Toto and Bastien saw Theodore
fol -
and hand it to Marie, who, careful man
ager, examined it infinitely before de-
posting it in her purse; saw Theodore
bend TO the mangle, and put all the
strength of his long thin arms into the
pressing of one dozen extra strong snow
white sheets.
Marie" said Theodore
"Was there ever such foolish baby"
cried Marie. what is it this time?''
My gloves-I have lost them," he an
sWered
That's the second pair within six
months!" she retorted. Il wonder what
you have head for! Why don't you
lose it? Some one might find it and put
Il little sense into it for you
Obi" he laughed 81 lost my head long
ago-when I lost my heart!"
And, putting his arm round her waist,
he drew the pretty blanchisseuse toward
him and kissed her. She put hey hand on
his shoulder-Toto and Bastien saw the
twinkle of her wedding ring-and kissed
him back
And he is a poet!" sighed Bastien.
That's just Why said Toto Lets
go away. This is no place for us!'' And
he looked up at the sign over the door.
1t is to be feared that Toto was at
heart that sorry thing, sentimentalist.
Bastien said as much before he began
predicting the fun there would be at the
Noctambules when they presented their
report.
There will be no report" said Toto.
Heinz"
There will be no report We know
nothing Of Theodore de Dorenavant. We
mlstook for him another man, one Pierre
treaudeau, husband of a pretty
blanchisseuse, and him we followed to his
home. Theodore sleeps below an arch of
the Pont de la Concorda Theodore will
continue to sleep there"
And he did, until ne went to sleep in
his last bed, which happened a few weeks
since, when Toto and Bastien felt them.
selves compelled to speak, so as to in
sure success for the benefit the Noe
tambules gave in aid of Nine. Freaudeau
and her two little ones, ''the little loves
OF long AGO Tho On1OOlyar