Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-04-02
CHAPTER XII.
The News From Africa.

| SO far away. In truth there Is great
difference between spahi on an Az
, rican desert, and young American
heiress dreaming in her chintz.covered
bedroom in q chateau in the Midi of
France.
Notwithstanding, the young Ameri-
can heiress felt herself as much alone
/; In her chintz-covered bedroom and as
desolate, perhaps more so, than did
Sabron In his tent. Julia Redmond
felt, too. that she was surrounded by
| people hostile to her friend.
sabron's letter told her of Pitchoune
and was written as only the hand of a
charming and imaginative Frenchman
can write letter. Also, his pent-up
heart and his reserve made what he
did say stronger than II perhaps he
could have expressed it quite frankly.
Julia Redmond turned the sheets
that told Of Pitchoune's following his
master, and colored with Joy and pleas.
ure as she read. She wiped away two
tears at the end, where Sabron said:
Think Of 1t. Mademoiselle. a little dog
following MS HdSteI lEOH peace anu
plenty. from quiet and security, into the
desert! And think what 1t means to have
this little friend!
Julia Redmond reflected, was great.
ly touched and loved Pitchoune more
than ever She would have changed
places with him gladly. 1t was an
honor. a distinction to share sol.
70 no 10 Ia,
Then Sabron wrote, in closing words
which she read and reread many,
many times. 20
Mademoiselle in this life many things
follow us; certain of these follow us
whether we will or not. Some things we
not forbid them! My little dog followed
me; had nothing to do with that. 1t
was q question Of fate. Something else
has followed me as well. It is not liv-
ing thing. and yet 1t has all the qualities
OF vitality 1t IL q tune. From the mo-
ment left the chateau the hrst night I
had the Joy Of seeing you. Mademoise1le.
the tune you" sang became a companion
to mo and has followed me everywhere
followed me to my barracks, fol-
lowed me across the sea, and here in my
tent 1t keeps me company. I find that
when wake at night the melody sings
to me: I find that when mount my horse
and ride with my men. when the deserts
sands are shifted by my horses feet.
something sings in the sun and in the
heat. something sings in the chase and in
the pursuit. and In the nights, under the
stars. the same air haunts me STILL
/ am glad you told mo what the words
mean, for find them beautiful: the mu-
sic in 1t would not be the same without
80 9TH, NJ In
It IL. Mademoiselle. with life. Feelings
and sentiments, passions and emotions,
are like music They are great and beau
tiful; they follow us, they are part Of US,
but they would be nothing-music would
be nothing without forms by which we
could make it audible-appealing not to
our senses alone but to our souls!
And yet must close my letter sending
you only the tune; the words I cannot
send you. yet believe me. they form part
Of everything do or say.
Tomorrow. I understand from my men.
NO shall have some lively work to do
Whatever that work is you will hear OF
1t through the papers. There Is little
town near here called Dirbal. inhabited
by . poor tribe whose lives have been
made miserable by robbers and slave
dealers. It is the business Of US watchers
OF the plains to protect them. and be-
lieve we shall have lively skirmish with
1.-THE marauders. There Is congregation
Of tribes coming down from the north.
When go out with my people tomorrow
1t may be into danger. for in wandering
life like this, who can tell? do not mean
to be either morbid or sentimental. I only
mean to be serious, Mademoiselle, and
find that I am becoming 80 serious that
1t will be best to close.
Adieu, Mademoiselle. When you look
from your window on the Rhone Valley
and see the peaceful fields Of Tarascon,
when you look on your peaceful gardens.
and you will think Of Africa. Do so II
you can. apd perhaps tonight you will
say the words only of the song before you
60 to sleep.
] am, MademoiSelle,
Faithfully yours.
CHARLES DE SAFFRON.
There was only one place for a let.
ter such as that to rest. and 1t rested
on that gentle pillow for many days.
It proved heavy weight against Julia
Redmond's heart. She could, indeed,
speak the words of the song, and did.
and they rose as nightly prayer for
a soldier on the plains; but she could
not keep her mind and thoughts at
rest. Ouo w as SAVuUlCU duu unhappy,
she grew pale and thin; she pined
more than Pitchoune had pinned, and
she, alas! could not break her chains
and run away.
The Due de fremont was con-
slant guest at the house, but he found
the American heiress very capricious
and uncertain lady. and Madame d'Es-
clignac was severe with her niece.
my dear JULIA she said to the
beautiful girl, looking At her through
her lorgnon; II don't understand you:
Every one of your family has married
title. We have not thought that we
could do better with our money than
build up fortunes alreAdy started;
than in preserving noble races and
noble names. There has never been
. divorce in our family. am mar
quise, your cousin IL . countess, your
aunt IL one Of the. peeresses OF Eng
Iland. and a. for you, my dear =
Miss Redmond was standing BY the
Dial.o. She had !!.s.cs nc scser and