Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-08-27

In the evenings Mederic sat no more beside
the fire. lie could not endure the sight of
fisee's vacant char lie would go to watch
the servants in the grange as they passed the
wheat TO the yanaresse. On the ground the
smoky candles lighted their work, as, tired
with the days labor, they moved drowsily.
When all were sleeping Mederic would run
swiftly, like soul in pain, across to the oaks
and the small forest. He would 90 alone in
the clear, frosty nights TO revisit all the places
where they had been happy together. In his
soul there was a soft doHienr filled with sad
voices, sad remembrances. and he wept as
over a tomb. Then a tranquil peace de-
scended upon him, and he seemed to hear
soothing melodies which lulled his pain.
CHAPTER VII.
One night as he was returning he heard
behind hIm a heavy step. II was Mage.
They walked together as far as the farm, and
the good man. observing his sadness, tried to
console him.
"You are grieving for the little one, | un-
derstand; have had all these chagrns. In
my young days, when | went away TO enter
service, thought of my home; | thought Of
my friends; atd | said to myself: They will
reap the harvest, they will drink the cider.
they will dance without me; Tut | never
thought some lad would take my promised
one by the waist and whisper soft words in
her ear. Neither should you torment your
self. Fisee viii not forget you; she is Of
good blood.
As the holidays approached Mederic wished
to 90 to the convent TO see Fisee, but Mage
advised him 10 defer his visit until the feies
de5 Rois. In the evening the servants all
vent to the village, after receiving their share
Of good things. Mederic passed a sleepless
night In the morning he arose early.
The frost glistened. Some frozen pears fell
upon the ground. AT the foot Of the cassiS
tree some Christmas roses bloomed. lie gath
cred a cluster and proceeded TO the diligence
W. CamaS. installed in the front seat, beckoned
to him with his Journal.
ado you 20 to Havre3 What a fortunate
coincidence. will make room for you bes de
me-"
The horses hoofs resound upon the cause
way, and Blondel cracked the whip. NJ
Camas exclaimed at every gutter, saying
they should profit by the good weather TO
have all that remeded, and he censured the
negligence Of the mayor.
As they approached the city Mederic was
filled with vague melancholy. The confu-
sion of the voices, the solitude Of the crowd,
the sight Of strange faces as they hurried pas:,
gave him uneasiness The stories Of Camas
returned to his mind. Had she, like himself,
preserved the remembrance of past days
With what glance would she extend to him
her hand They passed the suburbs and en-
tered the town.
Blondel stopped before collection Of vehi-
eles entangled in the crowd. Some passers
by had stopped before bier resting upon two
chairs, with white cloth, silver cross, and
a font of holy water.
"Who was that ?"
"Oh, no one Of importance daughter OF
Vidal, who has just died." and he added,
with wink:
"There was one who enjoyed life"
"Young?"
"In her twenty fifth year."
pretty ?"
al can tell you," and as Camas leaned for
ward to hear the details Blondel whispered
something in his ear.
"No, truly?"
"Word Of honor"
The school-master smiled as he dried his
glasses.
Mederic turned away. The cynicism Of
these two men revolted him.
He had eaten nothing that morning; his
head was dizzy, and, as in a nightmare,
strange fancies tormented him. Before him
arose the image Of Fisee in a shroud, her
folded hands, the encircling lights. The
vision was so vivid that he felt chill as his
hand came in contact with the cold window.
The diligence again ratified over the pave
ment. Camas chattered loquaciously to his
81 advise you to visit the docks. They are
finer than those Of New York and also the
and the semaphore. Ii is very in
teresting.
Mederic felt contemplative aspirations,
lively feelings of liberty. He would like to
have lived in light house, to have been born
in America.
The diligence stopped at the foot Of COW
cred pathway which assembled toward the
hillock between the gardens At the end,
behind white gate, could be seen door
by a cross. On each side small
garden, protected by a chain. Blondel
pointed to the gate with the handle Of his
whip.
at is here"
Mederic descended mechanically. His
head was heavy, his limbs benumbed, and he
heard Camas, who cried to him.:
This evening. in the court Of Bras Dor"
In answer to the bell slow step was heard
in the dark entry, and an old figure appeared
at the door.
"Whom do you wish to see ?"
"Mademoiselle Mage"
.sThiS is NOT The recepsion dav -
Mederic was so agitated that he almost
wished to 90 away. However, he said tmidly:
II have come from the country to see her"
The attendant looked at him suspiciously,
but his honest manner, his white boquet, re-
assured her
"Enter, then. She will be summoned"
They crossed garden and court. Some
leather balls rolled into the ditch, and some
torn kites hung by the cords Eom the syca-
more trees.
He was conducted to the parlor, Along
the hall were some wooden benches, and
some pictures adorned the walls.
A light step was heard, the curtain drawn
aside, and Mederic heard behind the iron
bars the voice of Fisee saying:
at is you ?"
His first impulse was to extend his arms,
but he stopped, divining the presence Of
stranger, whose cap he heard grazing the
serge curtains.
Was he not to see her alone To whisper
tender words; to be repaid by a sweet embrace
for all his agonies, his loneliness, his tears'
Approach, Mederic, have no fear"
He saw her as through mist. How she
had changed in few months--taller, paler;
her hair tightly bound back, her figure lost
in a loose robe. In vain she smiled. She
was no longer Fisee. lie felt like a child be-
side her, and ii seemed as though an abyss
divided them.
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