St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-11-23
TUTOR AND HUSBAND.
The Story OF "a Life Reclaimed and
Then u On.

colony. Fifty dollars month was offered
for nv services. and as l had not an acqualnt-
ance in the country, l gladly accepted. mat
would bring me food, clothing and shelter
more than | had been able to obtain III dear
France. My two pupils, NJ. Rabut assured
mo were Vell-behaved children. The girl
was lust IS. already young lady, and the
ten-vear-old boy was equally apt at study.
After all, was only required to give hve
hours a day to teaching. The rest OF my
time was altogether my own, TO be devoted
to either work or sleep as 1 pleased
1t was a threatening day in Aprll-well
I remember it-when l started out to walk
TO the great house where l was to earn my
bread. AS walked on [ began to dream
What future did this new land hold in re-
serve for me? [ had not come to it with
alv idea of making a fortune-although a
Young man of %, | had acquired enough
common sense to save me from such lllll-
sions-but only to earn good living and lay
IN enough to enable me, when all old man.
to return to France and sleep at last under
the shadow of my own village splre. Soon
7 caught sight Of the lofty chimney OF the
sugar mill-then the house itself, buried III
a thick grove of mango trees, and, as feared
being late. quickened my step. Under the
veranda. already crowded, l saw people
rushing back and forward-runnlng, and no
one noticed me as | assembled the front steps
except a big, fat negress, crouchlng at the
entrance who sobbed and cried with re-
newed despair at my coming. There on the
sofa, at full length, lay a young glrl-almoSt
a child. Her long, bright hair streaming
with water, fell over the back OF the sofa,
and had dripped upon the veranda until
little pool had formed upon the flags. She
was whiter than a piece of marble; the
vi0lets of death were on her compressed lips;
her lifeless arms lay rigidly straight by her
side; and NJ. Rabut. on her knees beside her,
was kissing one of her hands.
Drowned, my dear sir. she got drowned"
said good old lady of about 60 years OF age,
who came to me holding out her hand in the
friendIiest manner Imaginable. But you
have walked here" she continued; You
must be tired. Ofcourse you will take some
thing. Myrtiln'
Mamma! Oh. mamma" exclaimed NJ.
Rabut raising his head. 'You see" he
said to me. with sob, you see, she was out
bathing: the river suddenly rose, and"
His head fell forward again over the little
white hand to which his lips chung.
.'Myrtil! Myrtil!' again cried the good
lady. ''bring a glass of Madeira to the gen.
teman. Or perhaps you would prefer some
thing else?"
questioned the family. The girl had
not been twenty minutes under water.
And yet they had done nothing-had not
even tried to do anything.
gave my orders briehy-they were
obeyed.
They had laid her on her back | lifted
her head so that it leaned sideways on the
left. Her teeth were clinched How cold
her lips seemed when pressed my ownnpon
them! The poor father, senseless with grief,
allowed us to do as we thought best, and the
grandmother walked hurriedly to and fro,
busy. fussy, always calling Myrtil, and de-
claring 1.-THE breakfast will never be ready,
and here are all the people cOmingH'
Half an hour passed. What! was not
that a flush we saw mounting to the color
less cheeks! Oh, bow fervent prayer he
uttered that moment to the good God! And
it seemed to me the arm l held had become
less rigid. At that moment horseman
came up at full gallop.
.'Myrtilt Myrtil take the doctors horse to
the stable!" cried the good lady descending
the steps to meet the physician. "Ah. doctor.
] knew it! Your powder could not do me
any good. The whole night doctor, 1 was
pain. All how badly sleptr'
The doctor came directly to lis.
Good! young man! very good in
deed! That is just what should have been
done.
Come, come" he cried in a joyous tone,
after a few moments had passed. 1--WE are
all right now-we shall get off with nothing
worse than flight Why, you old coward.
have | not already told you so? Here! let
me see a happier face on yon? And he
gave NJ. Rabut vigorous slap on the
shoulder.
Then, suddenly turning to me, he asked:
But you-where are you from? l don't
remember ever seeing you here before"
Il came from Brittany, doctor, by way of
Paris and Port LOUIS"
''Look.-lookr-h had already turned
his back upon me-''she is opening her
eyes!'
NJ. Rabut involuntarily seized my hand,
and dragged me to the sofa.
She opened her eyes. They were blue
the eyes | always liked best.
''Helenel my own Helener' murmured
the poor father, STOPPING to kiss her fore
head.
''Gentlel you" exclaimed the doctor. pull
ing him back. Let her have air, if you
please.
NJ Rabut drew back, without letting go
my hand.
Myrtil returned from the stable.
"Myrtil! Myrtil!-well, how about that
breakfast? Is it going to be ready to-day
or Tomorrow"
INA fol! I'm ready for it!' cried the doc
tor. That gallop gave Inc ferocious appe-
tite"
why, Myrtil! serve the Madeira to those
gentlemen"
This time Myrtil obeyed.
1t was In the afternoon when [ left nv
pavilion to return to the house. NJ. Rabut
came to look for me on the veranda.
Come" he said ''you can see hel
row."
He brought ME close to her bed. Her dear
blue eyes still had dark circles around them,
but the blood was circulating under the
clear skin, for she blushed at my approach
This is he, my Helene. If 1t hadn't been
for him''-aHd his veice choked.
''Don't fret any mere, papa | am only
sorry about my l0eket, Do you think they
will ever be able to find it9''
The locket contained her mothers hair
1t was barely daylight when reached thu
river. The negro who had taken her out
of the water had shewR me the evening be-
fore the precise spot where the current had
carried her away, ana alse the place where
he had found her-about fifty yards farther
down. 1t was great narrow basis, shut IL
DIV great harnesses. whose tufted branche.
met above and stretched frem enc bank t.
the other. The pale light. dieleriBg through