The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1910-02-11

treat. Retreat? But no, that was i'm.
possible; for his stomach now fe'i as
empty as a gourd He sat tore
blinking, wordless, helpless.
Mrs. James smiled. and drew frOm
her recticule roll oe paper tied with
pink ribbon, flashing upon the ,Oouj
a coy glance.
"lf ] thought yoi could appreciate
this pome, Mr.. Jarvey?"
The count, feeling that the coup
d'etat was at hand and yet grasping
at straws, hastened to reassure her.
We'll" she said with much JUNCTION,
"Of course you know printemps is
French for Springtime." Whereupon
the count having nodded agreement
within her Interpretation she began:
My heart tbs light with oy bedight,
At Printemps in Paree.
"Ah, Springtime in Paris" observed
the count But you were never
there?"
mo, this is pome Of fancy. A
poetess does not need to be in place
to write about it.
Most certainly not" agreed Jarvis.
Il should say not at all. All, Spring
time in the BoiS. 1t is beaueous! Is
that all?"
"Ah, no, there are more. | read"
And she read while the count twisted
his legs ir the rungs of his chair.
Love changeth not, but stays in one
spot,
At printempts in Paree.
The count groaned inwardly, but
raised his eyebrows as though in ar
tistic appreciation.
But, ah, my dove. declare your love
At printemps in Paree.
Mrs. James glanced at Jarvis, and
then glanced at the roll and pursed
her lips. Warmer verses were com
ing. Yes, but not if the count could
help it. He arose hastily. Retreat
was the all-absorbing consideration.
The dinner and it's odors had become
merely as prison bars when compared
to the thoughts of liberty. Liberty,
the free air OF the sidewalk. His
mind worked under high pressure
All!
"Tush," he exclaimed ,peering into
his pipe bowl. My tobacco has van
ished into smoke. | must go to my
room for more. If you'll be so good
as to excuse me-"
Set right still, Mr.. Jarvey. Don't
stir. l shall get you some of JOINS
tobacco. I've saved it for many years.
Set right STILL and the good woman
hustled in her cupboard, returning
with a great buckskin pouch, which
she handed to him lingeringly.
The count at loss for further ex-
pedient arose with a faint bow, ac-
cepted the proffered tobacco, and after
filling his pipe, struck a match. 1t
did not draw, and the glimmering of
a new hope smote the Frenchmans
dulled senses. Mrs. James, however,
anticipated him.
"Oh, Of course, you poor man, the
pipe does not work. Johns pipe"
and once more she turned to the cup
board. John always" But Jarvis
never heard the last sentence. The
instant her back was turned he threw
his hunger and his gallantry to the
winds, and stood not upon the order
of his going. Like a frightened crane
he tapped to the door, and in a Sec
ond was out in the hall. Then out to
the sidewalk he flew like one pos
sessed, and never stopped until he
gained the corner.
Need it be said that the counts
frightened glance behind was entire
ly unnecessary? If so, justice has not
been done Amaryllis James. The
thought of pursuit never occurred to
her. With a grunt OF rage and COM
pressed lips she sat down and penned
the following note, pinned it to the
coat, and then marched upstairs and
flung the garment against the counts
door:
The last straw has been broken.
Out of my sight forever"