The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1883-05-11
[Blackwood's Magazine.l
Fleurette.
lcoNcLUDED.l

Three years soon went by. ! was still in
England. had purchased a share in
London practice, and although l found
much drudgery in my work, it was paying
practice and which would eventually be en-
tirely mine, as my partner, who was grow
ing old and rich, talked of retiring.
Once or twice in every year I had been
down to Davebury. All was the same there
John was still unmarried, and if he said
nothing about her, | knew her had not for
gotten the dainty little girl who had rejected
his love. Yet not word had Fleurette sent
him. She might be dead or married, for all
we knew. Ioften used to wonder whether
| should ever meet her again-whether /
should ever learn her secret trouble, for |
felt Fleurelte's sadness was not so much
from having to give up the hope of being
Johns wife US from the cause that compell-
ed her TO take that step. could only hope,
and say word now and then to encourage
John to hope also.
One day while snatching a hasty lunch L
was informed I was wanted at once
found respectable servant waiting for me.
PLEASE to come to my mistress at once.
sir" she said. "She is taken very i'll, all of
a sudden
'sWhere does she live?'' | asked. The
servant named street within short dis
lance, and in few minutes l was az the
house.
II was in that description of street we
term respectable-dull, quiet, and respecta-
ble-small houses ON each side letting at low
rents-rents, most likely, decreasing as an
old tenant left and new tenant came in;
the sort of place where the falling gentle
man and the rising clerk or workman meet
in their downward or upward course On
our way asked the servant what had hap
pened to her mistress.
II found her sitting in herchair, sir, look
ing so wild and talking such gibberish, that
came for you as fast as | could.n
She led the way to a sitting-room ssMis-
tress was in there when I left; will you
please 60 in, sir?'
went in, but no mistress was visible /
saw, with quick glance, that the room was
prettily furnished--many little feminine
knickknacks lying about. Hanging to an
easel near tie window were two dead birds.
godfinch and bullfinch, and on the easel
stood china plate painted with a faithful
representation of the models. ssDecayed
gentlefolks," said to myself; but the SER
wants voice, calling me from above, put an
end to all further speculations. There was
evident alarm in the girls voice; SO I hast
ened upstairs, and just inside the door of a
bedroom saw woman lying on the floor,
either dead or insensible.
With the servants assistance lifted her
up and placed her on the bed then proceed
ed to ascertain what was the matter. II
needed, alas, very little professional skill to
determine the primary cause of her illness.
had before me one of those sad cases, I'M
fortunately becoming more and more com.
mon, or drunkenness in one whose educa-
ton and station in life should have raised
her far above such a vice. There was no
doubt about it. Even if the odor of the
woman's breath had not told me the truth.
had seen too many drunken women in nv
time to be deceived. l could do little to
relieve her then; and, after assuring the
frightened servant her mistress was in no
danger, placed her comfor ably on the bed
and.gaye the girl instructions to loosen her
clothes. As she did so, 1 looked with pity
and some curiosity ON the unhappy woman.
She was lady, evidently-as far as the com
mon sense of the word reaches-delicately
nurtured and well-dressed Her features
were pleasing, regular and refiaed, and in
spite OF all she lay there a victim to the
same vice that urges the brutal collier to
pound his wife to death, and causes the
starving char-woman to overlie her wretched
baby.
Ibid not like to expose her weakness to
her own servant, 50 promised to send round
some medicine and to look in again in the
evening.
AS stood with the door Ialf open, turn
ing to give the servant some last instruc-
lions, girl passed by me hastily, not even
seeming aware Of my presence. Before had
Tune TO speak, or even to look at her, she
had thrown herself on her knees beside the
bed and was weeping bitterly over the unfor-
t0nate woman. Her face as she knelt was
hidden from me, but / could see her hair was
black, and something In the turn of her
graceful figure struck me as being familiar
"Oh, my poor mamma my poor mammal
she sobbed out. ''What shall do9 again. a.
gain! Oh, my poor mammal
L drew near her and said: 'sYou need not
be alarmed at your mo.her's illness; she will
soon recover"
The girl rose on hearing my voice. She
turned round quickly and looked at me- Lo
and behold, she was our long-lost Fleurette
fieurette-and, as l could see even
through her sorrow, as beautiful as everi
advanced with outstretched hands; but the
girl drew herself up and waved me aside with
the dignity OF diminutive empress.
And so, as you threatened, you have in
truded upon my privacy. Col will never
speak to you again."
MISS Dorvaux," | answered, almost as
angry as herself, "your servant will tell you
now happened to be here, and you will see
IL IS from no wish to intrude. l am going
now, but shall return to see my patient this
evening, when hope, for the sake of old
days, you will give me few minutes con-
versation.v
Then, as Fleurette returned weeping to her
mother, / departed, revolving many things
In my mind, as the writers say.
had found Fleureste at last. Actually
living within stones throw of my doorl
Perhaps she had lived there ever since she
left Dalebury. Now having found her, what
was to do with her? | guessed that had
also fathomed her mystery. You see it was
ony commonplace, vulgar little mystery
after ala mothers drunkenness the sura.
total OF it. Yet when | thought of the pirl
giving up her love and bright prospects for
the sake OF keeping her erring mothers vice
secret, most likely never complaining of
Inc sacrifice, wearing to the outer world
bright face that hid from nearly every one
the sorrow of her heart, 1t seemed to lac that
our little Fleurette was something very near
heroine after ALL
My first idea was to telegraph 10 John and
tell him where to find her, but upon consid-
Grafton thought it better to wait until after
our interview in the evening.
| found Fleurette alone. She was very
pale, very sad, very subdued-very different,
indeed, to the angry young woman who had
walked into the river three years ago, or the
unjust tyrant who had ordered me from her
presence that afternoon. Ny first inquiry
was after her mother. Poor Fleurette col
ored as she told me that lady was now almost
convalescent, and she did not think / need
trouble to see her again. Then she held ont
her hand, and, as | took 1t, said:
Please forgive me for my unjust words
to-day; but was so yexed / scarcely knew
what / said"
"We are always forgiying each other.
Fleurette. Brothers unto seventy times sew
en-why not sisters also?"
Flenrette smiled sadly and hopelessly.
"Tell me, Fleurette," l said, gently, as
sat down beside her, "was this the cause?''
She nodded her pretty head.
"Tell me all about it. How long has 1t
been going on? can be as secret as you"
And then Fleurette told me. /. will not
give her words. They were too loving, too
lenient, and even framing affectionate excus-
es: 1t was a piteous little tale, even as she
told it-a tale of hope growing stronger ev-
cry day, till in one hour it was crushed as a
mower is crushed under foot. Then came
penitence, contrition, shame, and the ever
recurring VOWS Of amendment. And with
Lneln nope sprang afresh and bloomed for a
whlie-only TO be cut down as ruthless as be-
fore. And SO on for years. ever the same
weary round, and, although she told me NOT
ever the same loving care, the same Jealous
resolve to shield her mothers sins from the
vulgar gaze. 1t was hard burden foc a Gil
to bear. For this she gave mn tha ~ -