The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1922-04-12
AND PAUL-AND PARIS.
By o

From the Doctors house Paul
rushed With the cry for Polly al.
most aloud on his lips. TIen he
pulled himself together and forced
his numbed brain TO work-to think
clearly and without panic.
He saw now his mistake in seek
Jag her among crowds. She would
want to get away from people. from
the hot surging mob OF merrymak
ers on the boulevards, the noise and
iangle OF bands and the sight o.
dancing: . /. Where-where?
He looked about to get his bear
tngs. Below him the city lay in a
bed OF soft gray mists, out Of which
he could Just discern the stubby
spires OF ST. Sulpice rising from a
seGSof slate-gray roofs, and the riv-I
er beyond, with its dozen bridges.
On one Of the bridge foundations
was the stone figure OF a soldier.
and when the river rose past his
feet people took It as a warning.
1.-THE water is 10 the knees Of the
Zouave!" "Ah-old Seine Is threat.
ening to drown the Zouave!" Polly
had been 80 interested.
"Bless his stone heart!" she had
laughed. HE knows the friendly
old river won't hurt him. Paul, It's
such a chumn1y river, the Seine.
isn't Il? The way It ambles right
through the midst Of everything
markets, home d:htricts, business
sections, elegant gardens = everv-
thing that belongs to the people, as
II It wanted to see everything that
goes on and have a share In It. 4
love the river!"
He set OF for the river walks
hope giving him new strength One
OF his faithful friends, the taxis,
came along. He plunged into It.
1.-THE quays," he shouted to the
driver, "ail along this side Of the:
river!" The man shrugged These
mad Americans! Why should a
sane man take an airing by the
river at such an hour!
For a long time they drove, be-
ginning down by Notre Dame,
whose gargoyles gRzed %mochdngly
over the city, seeing all. telling
nothing
They came to the Pont Royal,
the bridge nearest to their home.
where Paul and Polly always
stopped to watch the man selling
little glass dogs set on the flat
stone coping.
His heart gave a leap. . 81
Wasn't that a figure on the BRIDGE,
A young and slender woman? His
girl! Polly! Polly, leaning on the
parapet facing the rising sun!
Paul never knew the details Of II
He had a vague sense Of flingink
out OF the cab and Tunning-ot
snatch:ng her In his arms-ot her
tears on his face-of incoherent
words and little sobs-of her cling
ing to him and his picking her up
and somehow Of their getting
back to the little flat-and Nine.
Dubois coming up with coffee and
warm rolls-and wip:ng her eyes
with her apron-and going out
again, closing the door softly
as it-true. dear?" Paul whis.
pered the words.
Polly nodded-whole punches OIL
little nods-and hid her face In his
coat.
"Paul, let's promise each other
we'll never get into such a horrible
tangle again! II you see me get.
ting queer and grumpy, Just say
RIVER and that will remind me
OF the nightmare OF last night and
I'll"
"But I never want to remind YOU
OF 1t. dearest.dear! ! shall hold you
so close that no nightmare will
have the ghost Of a chance to get
you"
Il behaved like a fool" Pollys
voice was muffied by a coat lapel
and a neektie.
"Not you, darling. But l acted
like q brute and a barbarian"
Paul's words were blurred by a soft
cheek laid against his lips.
"Paul@ after q silence.
EYES, dear9"
Would you accept an Invitation
from q LADY,"
depends on the invttaaOn-sadI
"The Bastilit Day celebration
isn't over set! Is II dAaE?s