The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-19
LETTER COMES NEXT DAY
1t Tells of Sad Death of His
MademOiselle.
She Lost Interest in Life After
He Came Home.
BY SAN IARREIL

The young man was sound asleep on
a mattress on his front porch. The
moon was shining brightly on his fair
visage, which inspired by dreams, was
wreathed in smiles. He was dreaming
of the days gone by when. way back
in France, he made love to Henriette,
a rnademolselle with a wealth Of coal
black hair. and eyes that reflected the
love that shone in the orbs OF TINS
handsome Topeka lieutenant.
II happened in the summer Of 1919
The young man was an instructor in
a service school at Clermont-Ferrand'
in the department OF Puy-de-Dome'
This is a busting city in the noun
tains, ana. like the Colorado Rockies
the formidable hills seem TO soften
and grow sympathetic wheh HiAi
makes love to a maid.
She was the daughter OF an Inn
keeper, an old veteran OF the fIdhoC
Prussian war who dispensed Win sln
rouge and stranger wines atons one
OF the highways leading out OF the Sley
into the heart of the Auvergnes W men
the cafe was busy, Henriette asslsteu
her father and mother in serving the
customers.
One bright summer afternoon, the
lieutenant shfned his boots and sam
Browne belt, polished his spurs, SAD
died his fleet roam mare, and started
ON a canter out over the country ne
stopped at the little wayside inn for
refreshments, for the sun was not anu
his thirst vas strong.
''Biere," he ordered tersely. without
looking up, after he had seated him
self at the table. ,tu
In n minute a stein of the cooling
beverage was placed in front OF MN.
table,
"Merci. monsieur" came softly from
a voice of infinite sweetness, Its well
modulated accents as silvery as the
ripping waters of a mountain prook'
The "shavetaiT' looked up in some
surprise. standing in 'front.' OF MN
was one of the fairest creations ne
had ever seen. Not more than twenty
the young girl typified the rare type
of French rustic beauty. oft described
but seldom met in France in these
parlous times. Her hair was raven
black Her eyes were dark brown
and ever smiling. Her lips were
whitley chiseled out of purest ivory
il seemed. Her features were won
derful, and her complexion would
have melted the envy of a Partisan
beauty. because Of its purity and lack
of artificiality.
He. on the other hand, had been
regarded as one of Topeka's best
looking young men. Straight as an
arrow. he looked particularly appeal
ing in his olive drab uniform. He
danced. the girls said, like an angel.
and he could say the incest things out
on the porch swing.
The inevitable happened. The lieu
tenant Immediately became interested
in this charming country mademoi-
selle She. in turn. became interested
in the stylish American lieutenant. He
spoke little French, and she had
made some progress in English. The
had received his orders to report to
his regiment at the front, 1t had
reached ar-matrimonial stage.
She Wanted 20 See United States.
At the front he wrote often. She
replied. Then came the armistice, and
she sent him a conEFatulatory letter.
and asked him when they were to be
married. She so longed to see Amer
lea, that young republic OF opportun-
ity. He replied evasiveiy. Eventually
he boarded n ship for home. He did
not forget her. but failed to write.
And on this evening this week. the
lieutenant. long since discharged from
the service, was dreaming OF Henri
cite. II was very pleasant. Then his
vision became fitful and disturbed.
a frown crossed his countenance. His
dream changed to a Topeka girl. the
young women he had promised to
marry in the fall.
Soft footsteps battered up the steps
OF the porch. Something in white
crept close to him. and he discovered
It was a human being. A hand was
laid on. his fevered brow.
1T is Henriette." said that never to
be forgotten voice
Another figure slipped to the other
side
1T is -" said the newcomer. and
he recognized her as his betrothed
Choose between US" declared
Henriette.
He stRmmered to reply.
Choose" demanded the Topeka
girl
He was in an unfortunate predica-
ment The beauty of this simple
French peasant girl appealed to him
powerfully. Yet the other was an
American. woman OF his own coun-
try. his own state. He started to turn