The Press., 1886-09-02

 he maintenance of the little one He had vainly sought, invented, reflected, but no means he'd been found to keep both Celes- tine and the child. One or the other must be sacrificed.
 Then, his eyes full ois tears, he-oOmpansd them for long time this spring morning. The terrible moment had come He must choose between a levy on his house and sending the little one to the home for found- lings. leH .l;
 It was lugubrious business. He look. ed successively at the eyes of the child and the windows of Celestine, the child's hair and the head gear of the old house. He found them sli charming, all adorable, Ain- dispensable to his old age He wavered between the two, unable to conclude which was preferable, equally happy with eitlaer. All at once the little one threw her arms about his neck and murmHred something in his ear.
 "what did you spy P demanded Der. nadon. n. f.t.l .t, t, t.,s | Ahi he hesitated no longer. No. ih- deed. Houses cannot speak. Suddenly turning his head back on Oelestino, net daring to look at her for fear she might suspect his treason, he crossed the street and directed his steps toward the little hos tel on the left; with his heart on fire, lie went to see the man who wished to pnf- chase his house and land.
 Six thousand francs he was offered for them, and 5000 in addition to take charge of the demolition of the old structure. t!E
 "Oome, come, said the old man, when he was back with the little one, "I shall buy you beautiful wooden horse.n
 And he iingled the coins in his pocket with feeling of contentment. 'ai
 Weeks passed and passed. Bernadon grew lean. He had been unable to prevail upon himself to demolish Celestine. He had hired lodgings opposite his former home and spent his days in looking at it from afar He had three months, accord ing to the written contract, m which to rage Celestine to the ground. Three months. Bernadon counted the days in anguish. .'' '"
 One morning it was absolutely necessary to resolve upon doing it. He hired two laborers, and showed them the house.
 ''There, he said, with dull voice, Ego to work" Feeling a curious clutching about his heart, he cried, Not there"
 They wanted to begin with the great tower, which, to him, was Celestine's head. But he had them tear down few insignificant walls at the sides, then a corn CT of the roof, then a ruined little observa- tory, starting with each stroke of the pick axe as if the laborers were working on his flesh.
 All the time he held the little one on his knees to console himself. Occasionally his eyes wandered from the house tosthe child, and from the child to the house, re- garding them, in turn, as if he had re- pented of his choice.
 "No, never p he cried to the workmen, who were about to attack the tower. 'Nevert" So he discharged them, threat ening to break the head of him who dared do evil to Celestime. He became frantic
 But on the morrow the new proprietor came with a troop of men, armed with long iron tools, that made Bernadon trem- ble. .. .......... ...,..
 Don't, don't" he clamored. But, seeing that the die was cast that this dreadful thing must happen, that nothing in the world could save his be- loved house. he himself took apickRKe, and, motioning the laborers away with a gesture of his hand, he approached Celes- tine. rT IT. .I I'r.ef Ea." ''There, you shall not suffer long," he said, in high-pitched tone of excitement. | He seemed to be gropiDg for place at the bottom of the tower then he struck | @SAAAbA0 btSWY WAAh a PO"IA h1 OH1 Nhn- pected in his old arms. .'il. sN h'..
 The iron brace that upheld the whole structure was laid bare. A second blow severed it. The house trembled and crackling sound was heard.
 Heavens the whole thing is falling Save yourself, Bernadon v cried the work men. ...# .. -e .a
 But Bernadon moved not. ..t He turned toward the child that was playing at distance, and, with q strange voice that was no longer human, he ex- claimed: ... ... f..,.. ..-...t-... "You will come sometimes and play up- on my grave, little one r'
 Staggering, Celestine fell upon him with horrible crash, and her timbers, her tiles, her stones and rubbish fell upon him eager ly, covered him, killed him fiercely, as if they loved to murder him. TrdnsLated Jor the COsnaopoLitan from he French of Jean Rdmedu.