The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1886-10-02
KETCHuM ALTURAs COUNTY DAHo SATURDAY, OCTOBER 1886

mad loOscned them; and knowing
this, | had warned my little ones
never to 60 there unattended.
One day, however, without my
knowledge, Marie and Lea ran here
to Gull some pretty wild-tlowers
growing amongst the moss-covered
stones. 1t was to please me, poor
children they wished to give me
fine nose-gay to show me my
birthday had not been forgotten.
When / returned home at even
tide, the little girls were not at the
door as usual, and, somewhat sur
prised, entered.
"The house looked strangely
desolate no wood burned brightly
on the hearth the table generally
laid for supper, was bare, and no.
where could | see Marie or Lea.
II called, but received no answer ;
until, at last, strangely uneasy, ]
went and enquired amongst the
neighbors.
"One woman had seen them
some hours since walking towards
the river, but they had not returned
as yet. Almost breathlessly |
FASTENED after them, trying in vain
to still the vague presentiment
growing each moment stronger in
my breast.
"No signs of life could / see
near the river, and after calling
loudly several times, / was about
to return, when some object, lying
on one of the rocks, attracted my
attention.
STOPPING | picked it up, and
with mingled fear and relief recog-
nized the little silver cross Marie
had worn that morning suspended
by blue ribbon round her neck.
\ few more steps brought me to
one cliff which seemed broken and
crumbled, whilst heap of sweet
blossoms already dropping, lay
scattered around.
What horrible presentiment
possessed me | know not, but sud
denly the truth seemed brought to
me and | skrieked aloud.
Some neighbors, attracted by
my cries, rushed up. but none
would believe the fear which lay
like lead upon my soul.
"' Come, come, Francois; les
petites are not there, never fear,
one said kindly.
Il would not be consolel, so al
last, to satisfy me, the men fetched
boats and poles, and began the
terrible task of seaching for my
larlings in the still water.
$50 sure was | of my misfortune
that | was not surprised, only
stunned and heart-brolen, when
presently the men drew the two
children, lifeless, from the river.
"They were locked in each
others arms, as if in that last fight
against death they had clung
together.
"They were dead and | have
often wondered since how | lived
through the days that followed.
But peace came at length, and now
| can look where my darlings met
their fate without two great
shock"
Francois ended his story with
sigh, and for several minutes
silence hung over us. Tears had
fallen thickly during the PEASANTS
sad narrative, and for some time ]
could not command my voice to
a few words of sympathy.
Are you not very lonely?"
1t was Adie who spoke in her
soft voice, and Francois, recalled
from his dreams, turned to her
with a gentle smile.
" Not so much, ma petite dem
Diselle; | used to feel it at first, but
now / have the remembrance of
their bright young lives, their tiny
graves to tend in yonder peaceful
and better still is the
knowledge that each day brings me
nearer to the hour when | shall see
Ill my loved ones again"
Francois rose as he finished,
raised his hat courteously, smiled |
at the children, then
turned slowly away.
| watched him move along, his |
Dent form and snowy hair telling |
IF advancing age, and | thought
hat perhaps the time would not be
30 long before he would meet his |
owed grandchildren. AS he neared
he spot where they had met their
loom, saw him gaze for moment
nto the shining waters, then give a
luick upward look at the azure sky
before continuing his lonely walk.