The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-11

sMamma was-ill--there; so i'll | was
frightened, and obliged to send for doctor,
and feared people might learn the cause"
So that was why DR.. Bush had been called
instead of John.
''Then we came to London" she contip-
ued "London is so large | thought we
might hide ourselves here"
How often do these-these attacks show
themselves | asked.
Sometimes not for months; sometimes
twice month. o, do you think she can be
cured?' She has been so good, so good for
such lone timel If had not gone out to-
day, this might never have happened Oar
poor old servant died some months ago, and
l could not trust the new one, or she might
have prevented it. Do you think she can be
cured?"
shook my head. knew two well that
when woman of Mrs. DorvauS's age has
these periodical irresistible cravings after
stimulauts, the case is well nigh hopeless.
Missionaries, clergymen, and philanthroplsts
tell Us pleasing and comforting tales of irar
velous reformations, but medical men know
the sad truth.
was so indignant at the sacrifice of a
young girls life that had spoken my true
thoughts / should have said, ''Leave the
brandy bottle always full, always near at
hand, so that" Well, / won't be too hard
on Fleurette's mother. She must have had
some good in her for the girl to have loved
her so.
We had said nothing about John as yet
That was to come.
"Fleurette, shall write to John 10 night
What shall tell him?"
Her black eyelashes were now only visible
what can you tell him? You promised
TO guard my secret"
81 shall, at least, tell him l have found
yon, and then he must take his own course"
'Oh. don't let him come here,a pleaded
the girl. could not bear to see him; and
perhaps" she added, with falterlug voice,
he doesn't care to hear anything about me
now"
All, Fleurette, Fleurettei after all, on
some points you are only weak woman
The next day l begged leave OF absence
from NY partner and patients, and run down
to Dalebury to tell John the news.
Yet had little enough to tell him | was
in honor bound to guard the girls secret, so
| all could say was had found her again;
| that she was as bewitching as ever aud, |
believed, loved him still. / could add that
now knew the reason why she could not
come TO him, and was compelled TO own it
was weighty one--an obstacle | could give
no hope would be removed for many years.
He mus. be content with that: it was all the
news, all the hope had 10 give him.
VERY well, said John, with a sigh, II
AhAsN wait AL ClAilc W lllG man W no
waits; so perhaps Flenrette win come TO me
at last
Now that / had found Fleurette, you may
be sure was not going to lose sight OF her
again. was very grieyed to ascertain that
her mothers circumstances were not so good
as of old. Some rascal who possessed the
widows confidence had decamped with
large sum of money. Our Fleurette eked
out their now scanty income by painting on
al n .s.<5 he,
birds and flowers on the white plates She
never complained, but to me il was more
than vexatious TO think there was a good
home waiting for her if her mothers faults
would allow her to accept it, Now and
again l would give John tidings of her. He
never sought her, being far TO proud toeome
until she sent for him; and as in the course
OF the next twelve months the unhappy Mrs.
Dorvaux experienced three or four relapses,
could see little chance of John ever getting
the message he waited for. / begged Fleur-
cite to persuade her mother to enter home
for the inebriate, but the girl would not even
breach the subject to her; so here was youth
drifting away from John and Feurette-
kept apart for the sake of wretched woni-
an, and l was powerless to mend matters.
But did John and Fleurette ever marry?
You see this is not a romance, only little
tale OF real life, and as such the only way
| OAe Va tAC 0GautOlh W dS q hslu anu DIQSdlc
one-a way that poor Fleurette could not
even wish for. Reforma.ion / say, as
medical man, was ont of the question. /
hope Fleurette will not read these pages,
where | am compelled to express my true
feelings, BY saying that. a short time after
year had expired. Mrs. Dorvauvx was oblig-
ing enough to die. l say 'sobliging'' adj
visedly, for, sad though it be to think so, her
death made three people happy; indeed, as
her life yra Sr fol a~ 49,
should have said four. Fleurette mourned
her sincerely; all her faults were buried in
her grave, and left to be forgotten. Two
months after her death ! wrote to John,
babe him come to town, and, without even
warning Fleurette, sent him to see her.
Then he found that all things do indeed
come to the man who can wait-even the
love that seemed so hopeless and far away.
don't think John ever knew, or, unless
| he reads 1t here. ever win know, the true
reason why Fleurette refused him and
stunned him for so long. He knows, from
| what told him, it was noble. self sacrific-
| ing and womanly motive that led her TO re
lect his love, and is content with knowing
this. He feels the subject must be ever
painful to his bright little wife, and has
never caused her pretty eyes 20 grow dim bY
asking Tor an explanation. There is no sad
ness with Fleurette now. She lights up that
old brick house: she is the life of Dalebury,
and, moreover, the one woman against
whom Dalebury says little or nothing.
The last time was down there | rowed
Fleurette long way up the shallow stream.
Not only E!eurette, but coupIs of children
as well-dark eyed, bonny boys, who chatter
in French and English unfortunately. AS
we passed the spot where the aquatic escap-
ade took place, turned With a smile TO my
sister; but before / could speak she said,
beseechingly:
Don't please-don't. Ola memories are
ever sad. The present is happy. the future
promises fair; let us forget .
And as she spoke, for moment saw the
sad eyes of the Fleurette of old days. Old
memories are sorrowful: let them die.