The Washington critic., 1885-10-27

was to earn my bread. AS ! walked
on ! began to dream. What future
did this new land hold in reserve for
me? | had not come to II with any
idea of making fOrtunc--although a
young man of %, had acquired
enough common sense TO save me from
such illusions-but only to earn good
living and lay up enough to enable
me, when an old man, to return to
France and sleep at last under the
shadow of my own village spirc. Soon
| caught sight of the lofty chimney of
the sugar mill-then the house itself,
buried in thick grove of mango trees,
and, as | feared being late, quickcncd
my step. Under the vcranda already
crowded, | saw people rushing back
and forward-running, and no one
noticed me as | ascendcd the front
steps except big, fat ncgress, crouch
ing mt the entrance. who sobbcd and
cried with renewed despair ut my com
ing. There on the sofa, at full length,
lay young girl-almost child. Her
long, bright hair, all streaming with
water, fell over the back of the sofa,
and had dripped upon the veranda un-
til little pool had formed upon the
flags. She was whittier than piece of
marble; the violets of death were on
her compressed lips her lifeless arms
lay rigidly straight by her side; and NJ.
Rabut, on his knees beside her, was
kissing one of her hands.
Drowned, my dear sir, she got
drowned" said a good old lady of
about GO years of age, who came to me
holding ont her hand in the friendiest
manner imaginable. "But you have
walked here" she continues; "you
must be tired. OF course you will take
something, Myrtil !"
Mamma Oh, mamma !" exclaimed
NJ. Rabut, raising his head. "You
see" he said to me, with u sob, ''you
see, she was out bathing the river sud
denly rose, and"
His head fell forward again over the
little white hand TO which his lips
clung.
"Myrtil Myrtil % again cried the
good lady, "bring glass of Madeira
to the gentleman. Or perhaps you
would prefer something else?'
| questioned the family. The girl
had not been twenty minutes under
water. And yet they had done moth
ing--had not even tried to do any
thing.
l gave my orders brichy-thcy were
obeyed
They had laid her on her back. l
lifted her head so that IL leaned side
ways on the left. Her teeth were
clinched. How cold her lips seemed
when pressed my own upon them!
The poor father, senscless with grief
allowed us to do as we thought best,
and the grandmother walked hurriedly
TO and fro, busy, fussy, always calling
Myrtil, and declaring ''the breakfast
will never be ready, and here are all the
people coming!"
Half an hour had passed. What!
was not that flush we saw mounting
to the colorless checks! Oh, how fer
vent prayer he uttered that moment
to the good Godl And it seemed to me
the arm held had become less frigid.
AT that moment a horseman came up at
full gallop.
"Niyrtil'l Myrtil take the doctors
horse to the stable /" cried the good
lady, descending the steps to meet the
physician. "Ah, doctor. knew 1t !
Your powder could not do me any
good The whole night, doctor, | was
in pain. All how badly / slept "
The doctor came directly to us.
Good young man very good, in
deed That is just what should have
been done.
Come, come he cried in Joy
Gus tone, after few moments had
passed. I'VE are all right now-we
shall get off with nothing worse than n
fright Why, you old coward, have
not already told you so? Here let me
see happier face on you?" And he
gave NJ. Rabut vigorous slap on the
shoulder.
Then suddenly turning to me, he
asked:
"But you--whcre are you from?
don't remember ever seeing you here
before"
Il came from Brittany, doctor, by
way of Paris and Port Louis"
Look look "-he had already
turned his back upon me-"she Is
opening her eyes -
M. Rabut involuntarily seized my
hand, and dragged me to the sofa.
She opened her eyes. They were
blue-thc eyes | always liked best.
Helene my own HeleneW mur-
INJURED the poor father, STOPPING to kiss
her forehead.
Gentle you p' exclaimed the doe
tor, pulling 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 ?'
Ma foil I'm ready for it," cried the
doctor. THAT gallop gave me fcro,
cious appetite,
why, Myrtill serve the Madeira to
those gentlemen,
This time Myrtil obeyed,
1t was in the afternoon when | left
my pavilion to return to the house. NJ
Rabut came to look for me on the We
randa.
Come" he said, you can see her
now.
He brought me close to her bed. Her
dear blue eyes still had dark
circles about them, but the blood was
circulating under the clear skin, for
she blushcd at my approach.
This is he, my Helene; If it hadn' t
been for him and his voice choked.
Don't fret any more, papa. am
only sorry about my locket Do you
think they will ever be able to find it?'
Inc locket contained her mother 5
hair.
1t was barely daylight when reached
the river, The negro who had taken
her out of the water had shown me the
evening before the precise spot whore