The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1906-09-04
BY AID OF
MORPHEUS
BY MARVIN DANA
(copyrIght, BY Joseph B. Bowles.j

Sitting over their coffee in the even
ing, the various members Of the coach
ing party were detailing impressions
from the days trip.
By common consent the others
paused when Madam la BaGonne de
Vaux began to speak. The dainty
E'renchwoman was a favorite with all,
and she was usually sure of listeners
TO whatever she chose TO say.
"Ah, that little village" she cries,
gaily. That little village all of wood,
with IFS wooden church, But in
France 1t had been all of brick and
stone. Yet 1t was like-oh, 50 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 fac
deepened, and 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, a 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
ehnnuhf prsN h. al
on her, and they sat and ehatted 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.
lone winters night, when the air was
most biting and their old blood chilled
by the frost of it, they sat cozily in
the pallor, as always, and the old gen
tleman. | suppose, was very busy to
heap the tiny fire high and to keep the
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
was hot in their young hearts"
Madam la Baronne broke OF ant
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, l have only tc
finish now. In the morning, when the
bonnie entered the parlor to dust it and
put things straight, she found the dear
old gentleman and the dear old lady
in their great chairs before the dyins
fire in the tiny CRATE, and they we're
sound asleepl"
The baroness smiled, and laughter
ran in the circle around her.
They were married as quickly a.
the laW would allow. Otherwise there
must have been a whisper of scandal
And, oh, l am sure that they livel
happy ever after; yes, even as happ1
as before!"
The group chartered merrily owe
the narrative and thanked the racon
teuse with enthusiasm.
And now let us have some music,
the baroness suggested. and turned Il
a patriotic American. "Of course
that means you, Mr.. Blennen."
Blennen's dark, thin face lighte,
with pleasant smile, as he noddet
an assent to the general demand. bu
before he rose from his chair his eye
wandered toward a woman at a littl
distance from him and there they rest
&c with a suggestion of expectation il
their gaze. Almost instantly tn
woman turned to meet his look, an
she spoke eagerly:
'oh, please, Mr.. Blennen."
A. the words a glow of pleasur
shone from the musicians face, and h
fastened toward the piano.
The early summer night of the Hud
son valley was soft, dangerous, silen
save for the restful droning of the in
seets. Through the open windows c
the great drawing-room came the lux
urious mingleu perfumes of many bios
SONS. 1t was a night and a compan
for music. For Blennen, thong
the inheritor of a prineely forum,
was a master of music.
When he had finished. and the crow
of enthusiasts at last allowed him I
break from their compliments, he wen
to her.
She made place beside her. an
flashed a glance of fond pride upo
him.
1T was wonderful, wonderfur' sb
cried, softly. Your genius, Vance,
so true so splendidly true! All. whe
listened to you. my soul went fioat
ing in a magic land of harmony. L
She broke OF abruptly. Then. wit
hardly q seconds pause. she continue,
gayly:
Il should never mind my insomni;
If | could lie and hear you playing
Poor childl you don't show any sig
of it. You are as fresh and dainty. q
lovely and superb IS ever-more bea,
tiful In my eyes, Grace"
The woman blushed and dropped he
gaze in confusion at the passion
his voice. Her silence emboldene
him. and he continued In an cage
whisper:
Tell me, Grace. is not my happdne.
coming to me soon-soon?"