The Irish standard., 1886-07-03
BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.

accepted. That would bring mo food
clothing and shelter-more than I hs,
been able to obtain in dear France. NJ
two pupils, NJ. Rabut assured me, wee
we'll. behaved children. The girl was jus
Is, already young lady, and the 10-year
old boy was equally apt at study. Afte
all was only required to give five hours
day to teaching. The rest Of my time wa
| altogether my own, to be devoted to eithe
work or sleep as pleased
| 1t was g. threatening day in Apri]-wel
| I remember it-when I started out to wall
to the great house where [ was to earn m,
bread. AS walked on began to dream
What future did this new land hold In re
serve for, me? had not come to it witt
any idea OF making u fortune--althouRh {
young man OF 25 had acquired comno1
sense enough to save me from such illus
lons-but only to earn q good living anC
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 spire
Soon caught sight of the lofty chimney
of the sugar mill--then the house stsclf
buried in a thick grove of mango trees
and, as feared being late, q,,ickened
my step. Under the veranda. already
crowded, saw people running back and
forwurd-running. and no one noticed me
rs ascended the front steps except big,
fat negress, crouching at the entrance,
who sobbed and cried with renewed despair
at my coming. There on the sofa, Ut full
length, lay a 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 until little
pool had formed upon tine flags. She was
whittier than a piece of marble; the vtolets
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 good old lady OF about 60
years of age, who came to me, holding out
her hand in the friendliest manner imagin-
able. '.But you have walked here" she
continued; '.you must be tired. OF course
you will take something. Myrtilp'
''Mamma! Oh, mammal exclaimed
M Rabut raising his head. ttYon see" he
said to me with Il sob, "you see she was
out bathing; the river suddenly rose
antl--''
His head fell forward again over the
little white hand to which his lips clung
s:Myrtil! Myrtil?' again cried the old
lady, 'bring u glass OF Madeira to the
gentleman. Or perhaps you would prefer
something else?''
I questioned the family. The girl had
not been twenty minutes under water.
And yet they tad done nothing-had not
even tried to do anything.
I gave my orders briefy-they were
obeyed.
They had lain her on her back. lifted
her head SO that it leaned sideways on the
left. Her teeth were clenched. How cold
her lips seemed VIXEN I pressed my own
upon them! The poor father, senseless
with grief, allowed us to do as we thought
best, and the grandmother walked h1r-
riedly too and fro bnsy, fussy, always
calling Myltil and declaring 'tthe break
fast will never be ready, and here are all
the people coming!''
Half an hour had passed Whatl was
not that a flush we saw mounting to the
colorless cheeks? Oh, how fervent
prayer was uttered at that moment to the
good God! And it seemed to me the arm
J. held had become less rigid. AT that
moment horseman came up at g. full
gaiop.
:.Myrtil! Myrtil! take the doctors horse
tC the stable,' cried the good lady, de-
"Ah. doctor, 1 knew it! Your powder
night, doctor, l. was in pain. All! how
badly sleptr'
The doctor came directly to us.
'.Goodl young naani--very good, indeed!
That is just what should have been done.
"Co1ae, come!' he cried in a joyous
tone, after few moments had passed,
"We are all right now--we shall get off
with nothing worse than g. fright. Why,
you old coward, have not already told
you SO? Here, let me see ~ happier face
on ycu.' And he gave nj. Rabut vig-
orous slap on the shoulder.
Then suddenly turning to me tie asked.
s'Rut you-where are you from? I don't
ever seeing you here before"
s.I came from Brittany, doctor, by way
of Paris and Port Louis"
"Look!-lookr' he had already turned
his back upon me-she is opening her
eyesp'
NJ. Rabut had seized my hand and
dragged me to the sofa.
She opened her eyes. They were blue
the eyes always liked best.
"Helene! my own Helenep' 1nurmured
the poor father, STOPPING to kiss her fore
head.
'Gentle! you!" exclaimed the doctor,
pulling him back. aLet her have air, if
you please.''
M. Rabut drew back without letting 20
my hand.
Myrtil returned from the stable.
':Myrtil! Myrtil!-well how about that
breakfast? Is it going to be ready today
or Tomorrow"
stMa foil Pm ready for it!' cried the
doctor. That galop gave me- ferocious
Appetite
tWhy, Myrtil! serve the Madeira to the
gentlemen
This time Myrtil obeyed.
1t was in the afternoon when I left my
pavilion to return to the house. M. Rabut
came to look for me on the veranda.
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 blushed at my
s..rhis is he, my Helene If it han't been
for him. and his voice choked.
'Don't fret any more, papa am only
sorry about my lccket Do you think
they will ever be able to find it?''
The locket contained her mothers hair.
X \ 4 X X X
r. was hare|v DAYLIGHT when 7 roacI,od