Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1885-06-18

ages. who kept US twelve years. Pi-
cards dead an Vatinel's dead. It
was an English traveller passing
through VINO saved me and took me
with him to Cette. And here I am. -
La Martin was crying, with her
apron lifted to her face.
Levesaue mutIered: What will
we do now?"
Martin asked: Its you is her hus-
band now"
Levesque answered; Yes"
They looked at each other and re-
manned silent.
Then Martin, looking at the child
rem standing in O. ring around him,
nodded his head toward the two tall
girls and asked: They are mine?"
Levesque replied: Eyes"
He did not get up; did not kiss
them; only observed: Good God
how big they have grown
Levesque reiterated: What am I
to do now?"
Martin, equally puzzled, could not
tell. Finally he said: ''Ma, I'll fix
matters the way yo's like. l don't
want to do you no wrong. Still, it's
a bad fix anyhow, when one thinks
about the house. I've two children
you've three; each can have his own.
The mother-is she yours or is she
mine? I'll agree to anything you
want; but the house-that's mine, be-
cause my father left it TO me, and be
cause she's got papers at the notary's
to prove it.
La Martin was still crying with
little sobs she hid behind the blue
cotton of her apron. The two tall
girls had drawn near and were star
ing anxiously at their father.
He had finished eating and exclaim-
ed in his turn: "What am I to do
now2"
a sudden idea came to Levesque:
Go see the priest-hell tell"
ID artin arose, and as he approached
his wife she flung herself sobbing
upon his breast. my husband, it's
you Martin, my poor Martin, it's
you?"
And she Rugged him tightly, thrill
ed all suddenly by the memory of
other days-by great shock of SOU
venirs that recalled to her the days of
her own twenty summers and her first
love.
Martin, himself affected, kissed her
white cap. The two children in the
fire place began to howl simultan-
eously upon hearing the mother cry,
and the baby in the arms of the
second Martin girl clamored in a
voice as sharp an squealey knife.
Levesque stood there waiting.
Come he said, we've got to settle
| the matter"
Martin separated from his wife, and
as he stood looking at his wife, and as
he stood looking at his two daughters
the mother said to them: Cant you
kiss your father"
They approached him simultaneous,
ly, with dry eyes, much astonished
and a little afraid. And he kissed
them one after the other on both
cheeks with loud peasants kiss. On
seeing the stranger draw near, the
baby screamed so violently that it
nearly took fits.
| Then the two men went out togeth>
| er.
As they were about to pass tho Cafe
du Commerce Levlsque asked ''S'pose
we take drink?''
TIN willing" declared Martin.
They entered, sat down in the still
vacant bar-room, and Levisque cried
ooh! Chicot bring two brandies
the good stuff, you know. This is
Martin who's come back Martin,
you know, my wife's husband-you
know, Martin of the Deux-Sosrs, who
was lost"
And the barkeeper, with three
glasses in one hand and decanter in
the other approached-stout, sangu-
inc, pulled up with fat, and observed
very quietly: ''Well, so you're back
again. Martini"
Martin answered: ''Tm back
again"