The Windham County reformer. (Battleboro, Vt.) 1876-1897, 1885-10-30
THE REFoR aER, OCT. 20, 1885.

and told In low tones of the accident; how q
| drunken man at the lake had frightened the
| child how Blbctte had run with her IN her arms
while the man pursued; how she had by mis-
step fallen, the child's head striking with fuch
iorce AS TO stun her into insensibillty. Then he
told of the spasms which had followed, adding,
| III have been here hut half hour; | was out
among my patients when Babette went for me,
but everything was done by Madame Boulet
| that could have suggested. She's wonder.
iul nurse! Under Providence, Mrs Ray, you
owe your child's life TO her,"
The doctor gone, Laura arose, loosed her
wrap and with trembling hands laid aside her
bonnet The thought OF her ungencrous speech
added shame to her grief, for she knew her
words had reached the Madame's ear. What
could she do She felt so helpless, so self-isola-
ted. 1t would be n relief, she thought, 70 drop
to the floor beside the still crouching Babetto
and moan out her pain. Instead she passed
paused beside Madame Boulets chair. She no
ted the vivid spot on either cheek the downcast
eyes which were not lifted at her entrance, and
with sudden, overmastering compnnction she
stopped and kissed the sallow hand that touch
ed her baby's curls.
The Madame arose and tenderly placed Co.
leste IN her crib
"Shc will do yair we'll now" she said in her
slow, labored way. "Vair WE'LL" dropping a
light kiss on the dmpled hand, as II returning
ny way of the child the one the mother gave.
Tnen without lifting her eyes, she said,- :.
"My coal hat come nov, Miss Ray, you sail
hat yours vair soon," and she softly passed
from the room.
A few minutes later Laura heard sound as
OF falling stones. Babete came and closed the
door, saying:
"They are throwing over the coal, Miss Laura /;
the noise migSt wake the baby"
She made no reply, inst sat and felt the awful
weight OF her own mistake and groaned In i'm
potent sef.disgust.
II was a relief to talk of 1t to Emile, to call
herself contemptuous names in a rain OF peni.
tent tears. He soothed her distress by every
loving art, but she would not be cOmforted
"Sec. DEAR" he exclaimed at length, in sudden
recollection, "Csleste shall be the peacemaker
heard to-day that Ma'm'selle Louise was to be
married shortly to most worthy young man
from abroad who knows nothing of the family
stigma, nor would care dare say If he knew.
Celeste shall atone and the kind-hearted Mad
anne will never think of your words again.
A few weeks later while the Boulet family
were witnessing the eremony which was to take
from them the graceful Louise, skilful hands
transformed the dingy parlors into bower OF
beagty. Conservatives and gardens were
emptied to contribute to this floral palace, and
far more pampered bride than the simple
Louise woud,have regarded the compliment as
q dainty one.
When the carriage containing the bride and
groom drew up at the home door, Celeste, deck
ed in blossoms from head to foot very fairy
of the flowers, sprang from her hiding place
and strewed rose leaves before them as they en-
tered the house. At the parlor door the family
paused in complete bewilierment, while the
flower decked child danced around in glee, shout
ms
"7res johe, n'est-ce pas, Madame Boulet
Celeste did itall! Celeste did 1t all J.
l think all resentment died then in the kind
Creole's heart but she never again borrowed
aught except the baby Celeste, whom she loved
most fondly. Sowhile Laura would have glad
Iy given her the choicest treasure of her house
kee ping store, she could not 1t was what her
husband called lost opportunity.-[Emm
Mcguire in Godey's.