New-York tribune., 1885-01-25

1T Is beautiful STATE of things, truly" Charles
went on. Everything in ruins. Have von heard
that my poor old home is dismantled, and all the
FURNITURE gone to Geimanyf My brother is a
RssoneT Sot yon and 50 NJ mother shut up in Paris
she TsDass ssS @rs ri is all given to France and
,"Glory! When it is all nothing but defeat
"Well, mademosele. will you do me favor
VIII you write to my mother, and tell her how | am
done I .og ior Then let the General have it, and he
cCertalnly' said Barbe
She went away for minute, and came back with
some paper and ink. Ga the way Sister Madeleine
calmness was little runled
am trusting thee, my child" said Sister Madel-
know" said Barbe smiling family. al am
gong 10 write to his mother.
she came back to her place and was tried by
several minutes of silence
Charles was composing his letter, but he was
DONG IL with his eyes fixed upon her so ntently.
St, wou snch t strange expression in their hollow
as shc sat looking at the blank page before her At
last ne suddenly began TO dictate, and she to write
Wnlie ner nrm fingers trembled for once in most
-, - NY very dear Mother-I am wounded and in
the iiotel plen at Saint-Jean At first thought
of Sm1 ns 9 has been saved by the pres
Monsieur. cannot write this" said Barbe, with
quick reprOachful glance
n'opJIglHR HlauefnOlSelle. fray 90 on.
Excuse me that cannot speak faster: NV mother.
there is nothing like hopeless and miserable
campaign TO show man his fanlts and to bring him
10 70 ms senses am not too proud now to confess
the baseness of my behavior in the affair YOU know
of. dare not hope that Mademosele Duvals
exec e1ce.eht .S parents will forgive my SINS; but the
hrst thlng shall do when am able to walk again.
via Dc 70 throw myself at that angels feet and ask
her pardon think she is noble enough to give it
and then perhaps-yOu understand If she is not
my wife. do not care to liye'r
Oi course, none of this was written down for the
beneht OF Mademoiselle dc Mesnil. Charess aman.
uensis was shading her face with her hand, and had
lot her pen fall on the floor His bed, fortunately,
stoon 9y Itself IN corner. so that the words
reached no ears but hers, and the last sentences
we're spoken so low that even she could hardly
M,ad,smosele. my letter. said Charles, almost
Barbe started, and picked up her pen.
must begin again-I have blotted this" she
said; and then. with a sweet gravity she turned to
nun: Please say something can wrte-not all
81 have nothing else to say. and my mother could
not have better news" Charles answered. "But
Il y3u will not make her happy-wbat am to
ado not he excited said Barbe, little frightened
by ms manner 81 think you have been saying
what you cannot mean-you won't mean it when
like me In the summer-I knew itb
81 was fool did not know my own mind. I
have n been bitterly sorry since. can assure you.
directly II yon keep me In this horrible suspense"
He had raised his voice, and Sister Madeleine,
catching the last words. came quickly up to
Barbe, what is this' what are you doingi"
~, LISTEN listen madame yon are witness said
Charles, thrustng out long thin hand. "Give me
yonr hand, angel-put II in mine"
"Onelle betise ] cannot allow this sort Of thing
monsieur said Sister Madeleine, trying hard not
10 smile.
1T is all right madame said Charles, with
polite impatience. "Our parents ARRANGED It in
the summers this Is only a little confirmation
Thank You madsmoisclle" as Barbe quietly laid her
Is left In me. to marry no one but you: And you
yon can i3rglye % me. and say the same r.
Sister Madeleine turned away. She was too
much moved a. we'll as too discreet. TO stand look.
ing on while these two gave each other their
promise. And "a TO Charles's fever. she had an
idsa that real right happiness never killed any one
so Barbe was left To double Charles's remorsc by
the confession that she had loved him all along.
strange admission for a French girl, but fine souls
like Barbe are OF no special country.
There still her father and mother to be
pacihed That evening. after saying cood.nighr.
she stood between them holding hand Of each,
and looking from one smiling face 20 the other.
Papa, mamma" she said. !" have had no New
none, = ,h. hospital. but want something for
A4Ga my, child shall have it, if it breaks the
The mother looked mp anxiously Perhaps she
had some idea OF what was coming
want your, forgiveness and your love for
any poor child The Family Is completely
ruined" sighed VI. Duval. after a moments silence
during which the mother drew her child's face down
and kissed her tenderly.
"What is that 10 me - said Barbc
" IL Is good deal to me, littlc one In times like
these"
There papa do not be disagreoable" said
Madame Dnya "This may be the best New Years
gift that i}arbe has ever had. May il be sol We
must pray"
Bienl II is certainly the dearest" said NJ.
Duyal. with resignation.
That happy marriage took place long ago, but
certain gray old Abb6. Justly proud of his genius
n mat tch-naker Is never tired OF telling the story
Of it London Society