The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1886-02-04
CALLED BACK.

For two weeks had been in creole
colony. Fifty dollars a month l was
offered for my services, and rs l had
not an acquaintance in tho country |
gladly accepted. That would bring
me food, clothing, and shelter-more
than l had been ablc to obtain in dear
France. My two pupils, NJ. Rabbit as
surcd me, were well-behaved children.
The girl was just IL, already a young
lady, and tho 10-year boy was equally
apt at study. After ali, l was only re-
quircd to give five hours a day to
teaching. The rest of my time was al
together my own, to be devoted either
to work or sleep as l pleased.
1t was 4 threatening day in April
we'll remember it-when started out
to walk to the great house where l was
to earn my bread. As l walked on l
began to dream. What future did this
new land hold in reserve for me? |
had not come to it with any idea Of
making u fortune-al,hough a young
man of rs, mad acquired enough COM
mon sense to save me from such illus
ions-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 spire. Soon l caught sight
of the lofty chimney of the sugar mill
then the house itself, buried in a
thick grove of mango trees, and, as l
feared being late, l quickened my step.
Under tho veranda, already crowded,
l saw people rushing back and forward
running, and no one noticed me as
assembled the front steps except a big,
fat uegrcss, crouching at the entrance,
who sobbed and cried with renewed
despair at my coming. There on the
sofa, at full length, lay q young girl
almost a child. Her long, bright hair,
ali streaming with water, fell over tho
back Of the sofa, and had drippcd upon
the veranda until little pool had
formed upon she flags. She was whittier
than piece Of marble; the violets Of
death were on her compressed lips; her
litelcss arms lay rigidiy straight by her
side; and NJ. Rabul, on his knees be-
side her, WAS kissing one of her hands.
Drowned, my dear sir, she got
drowned" said y good old lady of
about 60 years OF age, who came to me
boiling ont her hand in the friendlicst
manner Imaginable. bat you have
walked here" she continues; you
must be tired. OF course you will take
something. Myriil.'
Mamma! Oh. mammal eXclaim-
cd NJ. Rtbut, raising his head. You
see," he said to me, with 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.
"Myrtll! Myr,il!' again cried the
good lady. bring y glass OF Madeira
to the gentleman. Or perhaps you
would prefer something clsc?'
| 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
thug.
gave my orders brielly-they were
obcJed.
Half an hour passed. What! was
not that flush we saw mounting to
tie colorless checks. On, low Ierven,
the good God! And it seemed 10 Mo
the arm held had become less frigid.
| At that moment torscman came up
at full gallop.
"Myrtil! Myrtil! take the doctor S
horse to the stablc!" cried the good
lady, descending the steps to meet the
physician. "Ah, doctor. | knew il!
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!-vcry good, ill.,
decd! That is just what should have
been done"
Come. comc!" he cried in Joyous
tone, after few moments had passed.
Two arc all right now-wc shall gel
off with nothing worse than fright
Why, you old coward, have | not nj.
ready told YOU so? Here! let me sec
happier face on you?' And he gave
NJ Rabut a vigorous slap on the
shoulder.
Then. suddenly turning to me, he
asked:
"But you-wherc are you fromP
don't remember ever seeing You here
before"
a came from Brittany, doctor, by
way of Paris and PORT Louis"
Look = look!' he had already
turned his back upon me-"she is open
ing her eycs!''
M. Rabut unfortunately sc!z ii my
hand. and dragged me to the sofa.
She opened her eyes. They were
blue-the eyes always liked best
Helene! my own Hclenc!" murnur
ed the poor father, STOPPING 10 kiss hci
forehead.
Gentle! your exclaimed the doc
tor, pulling him back. let her have
air, if you pleasc?'
M. Rabut drew back, without lcttin:
! 60 my hand.
Myrtil returned from the stable.
"Myrtil! Myr;i!-well, how abou
that breakfastP Is it going to be read,
to-day or tomorrow
Ma fol! I'm ready for it!' cried III,
doctor. THAT gailop gave me Il Zero
eious appetite.
why, Myrtil! serve the Madeira t,
those gentlemenn
This time Myrtil obcyed.
1t was in the afternoon when | lef
my pavilion to return to the house. NJ
Rabut came 10 look for nue. on the We
rauda. Come" he said. "you Cal
see her now.
He brought me close to her bed He