Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1871-01-26

What could 1 say? Who're would have
been the use of commonplace words of
pity or consolations FalTe never again
made any reference 10 his past life in talk
ing to me. and was careful not TO allude
to so sad theme.
Shortly after this change Was made in
the garrison, and Fabre's regiment was
ordered 10 Algeria. A crowd followed
the troops as they marched away 10 the
roll of the drum. Fahre waved his hand
to me as he passed win bis weary spirit
find rest in soldiers grave, under the
burning sun of Africa, was my Thought,
or will he live, superanuaied officer to
potter about some provincial town, shoul
dering his crutch to tell you how fields
were wonYn Most prohntiv shall never
know Such was nv Vusa,usion, as !
sighed over the departure of my pleasant
friend and companion,
PART II.
The business that had detained me SO
long was brought to a successful issue, and
it was upward of three years before ! had
occasion to revisit IL belle France. This
time my affairs led me to Bordeaux, and
atterward 70 Marseiles. As time was not
pressing, determined to take holiday
for few weeks in order to visit the places
most worth seeing on my route.
| had heard nothing OF Fahre since we
parted; but when arrived at Folk, the
place brought him vividly to my recollec-
ton, and | determined to ride over TO
Farlhes, and thence walk to the village
Fabre had described to me | found the
castle was connected with some interest
ing historical associatons--it had been an
appanage of the Counts of Folk, and had
suffered in the religious wars OF the six
teenth Century--so had double object
in my ride.
1t was a lovely day The vintage had
commenced, and the vineyards were alive
with busy groups of men, women and
children, | rode slowly, enjoying TO the
utmost the gay and animated scene, and it
was already afternoon when ! came in
sight of the little town Of Varilhes.
Putting up my horse, set out for my
walk; but after proceeding for about half
mile, began to feel uncertain whether
| had taken the right direction, aud look
ed about for some one of whom | could
make the inquiry. There was no ono to
be seen on the road, but to my right was
a small country house, "bastide, as il is
called there 1t stood i'll the midst Of a
garden, where fruit and flowers grew
together in all the luxurance Of the
South; and from vineyard at the back
heard the sound of voices, | opened the
gate, thinking / would skirt the garden
to the vineyard and there make my in
quiry of the first person met
had the gate still in my hand, and was
just about to enter when was held spell
bound in astonishment, rs if had seen a
ghost a weather beaten, military look
ing man issued from the house at that
moment, and at o glance recognized Reno
Fahre. He perceived tne at the same IN
slant, and advanced with open arms.
"QueJ 6oRheHr{ am oyerjoyedI Did
NJ sieu drop from the cloudsY
| returned his hearty greeting, for | was
truly rejOiccd to see him again
As for my leaving him that day or the
next, it was not to be thought of for a
moment Anything needed could be
sent for to Folk, but stay must.
Toinette!" he cried. Come out, then,
my child. Here is my good English friend
come and bid him welcome"
AT this summons, pale, dark-cycd
Spanish-looking woman made her appear
anCG, who was introduced 10 me as Mad
ame Fabre.
"OhW cried Fabre, "M'sieu is sur.
prised, and well he may be. But dinner
is ready, il it not, ma mie' Aftcrward
NJ sieu shalt hear
] was alt 5gethcr surprised Mt such turn
of events, but at nothing more than the
change in Fabre himself The nature that
had formerly always been sabducd and
kept back, was nov triumphant lie was
absolutely radiant
After an excellent dinner, we strolled
into the vineyard to smoke our cigars, and
then ! asked Fabro how it had all come
about
When | last saw you,' he said, II ney.
er thought to visit my native place again
But when ! returned from Algeria, some
thing seemed to draw me here in spite Of
myself On All Souls Day said to my
self, | will go aud hang a wreath Of i'm
mortelles over fathersand mothers grave.
So came up to the village, thinking just
10 visit the cemetery, and walk up to the
old castle once more
There were many people In The GENE,
terry, for it was All Souls Day, you see !;
and saw Toinette there among the rest.
| did not accost her, but when she had
hung her wreath and gone away, ] went
10 see whose grave it was she had been
visiting, and ] found it was Ambrose eau
viu's---thAt was the name Of the man they
had married her to. | can't tell you how
felt al that moment NJ seu, it seemed
suddenly rs IL all the clouds had rolled
away from tho sky, and the sun WAS shin
ing-as If life was opening atresh2 Toi.
hette WAS free then, and had only 10 re-
sign to be free also. | was no longer poor,
for had shared In priGe,money and had
saved more from habit, and from not hay.
ing anything | cared 10 spend money
upon, Il an because ] had cared to save
But now | was glad-oh, how glad
fell like a boy again.
Wen, Nj 'sieu, to cut my story short,
got the good cure 10 break the news Of
my being alive and al home TO Toinette,
gently for she had suffered much unhap
plness, and her health was not strong
When we first met, we wept In each
other safms -wept ov,I all we had suffered
before we could begin 70 take joy In be.
ing together once more.
"T0inette had been widow four years
if I had but known sooneri Her hrs-
band was killed by the machinery Of the
oil mill, where he worked. ! resigned
my commission end then we were mar
ried. looked about and found this little
place, that happened to be for sale.
" / could not quite compass the purchase
money, but the mortgage will be cleared
of IN few years, God willing, 50 you
see my dream has come true, after all,
II sieu. II only poor old father and
mother could have lived " see the day
But hat would your We canno' have
everything, and we are in a better place |
trust aud Fahre re"ercntIy lifted his