The Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1???-1928, 1906-07-23
BY AID OF
MORPHEUS
BY MARVIN DANA


paused when Madam la Baronne de
Naux began TO speak. The dainty
Frenchwoman was a fayorite with all,
and she was usually sure of listeners
to whatever she chose to say.
'Ah, that little village" she cried,
gaily. THAT little village all of wood
with its wooden church! But in
France 1t had been all of brick and
stone. Yet it was like-oh so very
like!-a tiny place quite near our
chateau. And it was there that some
thing happened once, something droll,
and sweet"
Madam la Baronne paused end
smiled, and the sweetness in her face
deepened ana the drollness flashed in
her black eyes
Tell us, please tell us, madam" the
others clamored
Surely" the baroness replied.
/ There was a dear old boy lived in
| the village, and, too, dear old lady.
He was an old bachelor, and she was
an old maid Once, years and years
and years ago. she and ne had been
sweethearts. Somehow they could not,
or would not marry. He went away
for years, while she remained in the
village always. Then at last he came
back, and they were good friends
They were too old to marry. or so they
thought. But every evening he called
on her, and they sat and chatted on
the veranda when the season was
right, and at other times they sat in
two great chairs before the little fire
In the little parlor of her cottage.
zone winters night, when the air was
most biting and their old blood chilled
by the frost OF it, they sat Sozily in
the parlor, as always, and the old gem
teman, | suppose. was very busy 10
heap the tiny fire high and to keep the F
blaze brisk, SO that they sat snugly in +
their huge chairs and basked in the /
warm glow, and chatted lazily and /
drowsily of the past days, when love I
was hot in their young hearts"
Madam la Baronne broke of and
ran her merry eyes over the group
about her
Have none of you read the tale?"
she questioned. NO? Well. there is
little more Indeed, | have only TO
finish now. In the morning, when the
bonnie entered the parlor to dust it and
put things straight she found the dear
Did gentleman and the dear old lady
IN their great chairs before the dying
Dire in the tiny CRATE, and they were
sound asleep"
The baroness smiled, and laughter
ran in the circle around her.
They were married as quickly as
he law would allow Otherwise there
must have been a whisper of scandal
And, oh, am sure that they live,
iappy ever after; yes, even as happy
Is before!"
The group chartered merrily oven
he narrative and thanked the racon
euse with enthusiasm.
And now let us have some music
he baroness suggested, and turned Il
patriotic American. "Of. course
hat means you. Mr.. Blennen."
Blennen's dark. thin face lighted !,
nth a pleasant smile as he nodded a.,
n assent to the general demand. but
efore he rose from his chair his eve -
'andered toward woman al a little (
istance from him and there they rest a
with a suggestion OF expectation in b
heir gaze. Almost instantly the n
oman turned to meet his look, and I
he spoke eagerly:
"Oh, please, Mr. Blennen." Ell
A; the words glow Of pleasure II
hone from the musicians face. and he
astened toward the piano. q,
The early summer night of the Hud 4,
IN valley was soft, languorous, silent.
I'VE for the restful droning of the in
'cts. Through the open windows O,
le great drawing-room came the Ink Is
rious minglea perfumes of many bios
ms. 1t was night and a company II
n music. For Blennen, though
ie inheritor OF a pffncely fortune. h,
as master of music. al
When he had finished, and the crowd n.
enthusiasts at last allowed him 10 "a,
eak from their compliments. he went
her. ~,
She made place beside her. and
ished a glance Of fond pride upon n,
m.
1T was wonderful, wonderful" she mi,
led, softly. Your genius. Vance. Is h.,
true-so splendidly truei All. when m
listened 20 you, my soul went float
& In a magic land OF harmony. - bo
She broke OF abruptly. Then. with
rdly seconds pause, she continued an
yly:
4 should never mind my Insomnia av
/ could lie and hear VOC playing" tie
Poor child, you don't show any sign a
H. You are as fresh and dainty. a. IA
rely and superb IS eysr-more beau 81,
nj In my eyes. Grace"
The woman blushed and dropped he, ho
ze in confusion at the passion ip
J voice Her silence emboldenef in.
n. and be continued In an eager III
isper: do
Tell me, Grace. is not my happiness
ming 20 me sOon-soon?" VII
But the woman raised her hand ap- 81,
,lingly, whilst she avoided the long
eyes: tbs