St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1877-02-23

serve me in any way now. Madame,
every thing was conspiring to my
degradation when you saved me by
your kindness"
''Poor Therese! But / have such
large reward for you. | have news
from Leon !"
''My husband, Madame! Great God
| have not trusted Thee for this ~ was
the devout confession of the excited and
trembling woman. Then for a moment
neither of us spoke. Tears were reader
than words. [ was glad to see them
gather in those large eyes, sOftening
their expression into tender yearning.
'Sit down, Therese. Was it not
good news? And he is near you. He
has money enough to pay all that Mr..
Scranton will dare to ask for you or for
the children. God has so prospered
him and given him such good friends
that you have every thing to hope"
Not even the falling tears relieved
the throng of emotions which these
words called up. saw the growing
pallor of her lovely face, and the fall of
the listless hand, and flew to her with
restoratives. She did not quite lose
consciousness, but she could not repress
the fear which overcame her, or sum-
mon courage to speak it-however, it
struggled up. At last she said:
"Mrs. Scranton will never give up
those children. knew this would be
her revenge. Oh, my God, pity me! l
have brought this on myself How can
l meet Leon with this on my soul 2"
In every way l sOothed her and bade
her hope. There were so many inter
| ackaI nartc fpian1c frII
no money would be spared-and so l
comforted the poor mother. l told her,
moreover, the plan for Leon to come to
Mr.. Scranton as a gentleman wishing
to purchase her and her children--for
the Rosas and others to assist if there
were any obstacles to be overcome
especially if Mrs. Scranton's determina-
tiOn was persisted in. | told her of the
service it had been in Leon's power to
render to NJ. ROsas, and how gladly he
would in some way repay the man he
called his friend and so, at last, with
a renewed charge that she should not
betray the relationship by any recogni-
ton of her husband, l sent her away,
In less than week "M. st. Leon" as
his card announced him, presented him
self to Mr.. Scranton to purchase the
famous cook Therese. He came with
all the snowy appurtenances of a man
of the world and of fashion his horses,
his valet, his letters of credit and of
introduction, were very imposing. My
husband and his friends were all de-
lighted, as they told me, of the ruse,
and of its effect upon Mr.. Scranton.
But it had one result less desirable. 1t
increased the value of Therese i'll the
eyes of her owner, who determined that
his new customer should pay round
sum for the valuable servant.
81 hear she has two children" said
the purchaser;
''Yes, but they are not to be sold"
81 can not purchase the mother then
not that care for the children so
much, but the mother will pine for
them. If she is what you tell me she
will be of much diminished value with
out them. | will pay as large price
as your conscience will allow you ia
ask, sir, for the mother, if the children
may be sold with her."
"My wife"
"Ah, there is the difficulty! Could
| see Madame myself ?"
at will be of no use though it will
give me great pleasure to have you
dine with us to-day"
"Thank you. Nothing could be more
agreeable" said st. Leon, with a court
ly courtesy and with this courtesy he
piled Mrs. Scranton.
"The dinner was perfect" "Therese
must have left her mantle in departing
or, perhaps it had been Mrs. Scranton's
own skill that had perfected the cook
whose reputation was so extensive. He
was Just going to housekeeping him
self. He had been married several
years, hut had not yet set up private
establishment, having spent some years
since his marriage in Europe. He was
desirous that his wife should begin will
, every advantage, but he could not al
low himself to contemplate purchasing
, this woman without her children. She
might even make way with herself Ol
with one of us'-bOwing blandly to Mrs
) Scranton at the allusiOn to Therese'.
: threats regarding herself. "He coulC
appreciate Mrs. ScrantOn's desire tt
part with her, and yet he had kind o
blind confidence in undertaking the
ownership of her. He did not fear any
trouble provided the children cam,
with her."
And then he offered such a sum o
f money for the family that even Mrs
Scranton, with her habitual greed, wa,
tempted to let go her hold on the chill
7 dren-and on her revenge. Not quit
7 decided was the hard Mrs. Scranton
and the matter was left under consider
3 alton till Nj. st. Leon had seen Therese
? Mr.. Scranton came up to the hOus'
2 with him that evening, and after tn,
r gentlemen had partaken of a superl
' supper, which Therese had prepared
she answered in person the summons t,
2 the dining room. | did not see tn,
9 meeting. | knew | could not trust my
self, and was fearful that by my ire
pressible feminine sympathy l nigh
9 unnerve the poor woman put to 81
< severe test. At last Reginald CAM
: to find me.
:. "Would be willing to see NJ. st
=, Leon, and to say to Mr.. Scranton my
I self what l thought of canceling ou
g engagement for the year, and letting
e Therese go at once ?n
Y There was just enough selfshnes
e stirred to keep me steady. Not that
would hesitate for a mOment-Oh, no
e for the world but l began to conside
our dining room handed over to tn
}. crudities and the commonplaces tina
r had characterized our menage befor
n the administration of Therese. l wen
S in dutifully, was presented to NJ. 81
Leon with ceremony, and greeted MI
e Scranton. did not dare to look a
+ Therese, who was standing little i
r the shadow. Every thing seemed t
e swim before me, and scarcely note
!, what was said to me until the silenc
4 Int, Oh