The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1883-10-18

moved for many years. He must be
content with that; it was all the news
all the hope, [ had to give him.
Every well, said John, with a sigh
II must wait. All things come to
the man who waits; so perhaps Fleu-
rette will come to ME at last
Now that [ had found Fleurette,
you may be sure | was not going to
lose sight Of her again. l was very
grieved 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 china; and very cleverly
the girl copied the birds and flowers
On the white plates. She never COM
planned, but to me it 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 I would give John
tidings of her. He never sought her,
being far too proud to come until she
sent for him; and as in the course of
the next twelve months the unhappy
Mrs. Dorvaux experienced three or
four relapses, I could see little chance
Of John ever getting the message he
waited for. [ begged Fleurette to
persuade her mother to enter home
for inebriates, but the girl would not
even broach the subject to her; so here
was youth drifting away from John
and Fleurette-kept apart for the
sake of a wretched woman, and [ was
powerless to mend matters.
But did John and Fleurette ever
marry? You see this is not romance,
only little tale Of real life, and as
such, the only way out Of the dead
lock was sad anu prosaic one-a way
that poor Fleurette could not even
wish for. Reformation, I say, as a
medical man, was out of the question.
l hope Fleurette will not read these
pages, where I am compelled to ex-
press my true feelings, by saying that,
a short time after a year had expired,
Mrs. Dorvaux was obliging enough to
die. ! say "obliging" advisedly, for
sad though it be to think so, her
death made three people happy; in
deed, as her life was so miserable to
her, it may be I 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, bade
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 it here, ever will know,
the true reason why Fleurette refused
him and Stunned him for so long.
He knows, from what I told him, it
was a noble, self-sacrifcing, and wo-
manly motive that led her to reject
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
to grow dim by asking for an explana-
ton. There is no sadness with Fleu-
rette now. She lights up that old
house; she is the life Of
Dalebury, and, moreover, the one wo-
man against whom Dalebury says
little or nothing.
The last time | was down there, l
rowed Fleurette long way up the
shallow stream. Not only Fleurette,
but a couple Of children as we'll
dark-eyed bonny boys, who chatter in
French and English indiscriminately.
As we passed the spot where the
aquatic escapade took place, | turned
with smile to my sister; but before
l could speak she said, beseechingly-
Don't, please-don't. Old memo
ries are ever sad. The present Is
happy, the future promises fair-let
US forget"
And as she spoke, for moment I
saw the sad eyes Of the Fleurette of
old days. Old memories are sorrow
ful-let them die.