Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-06-05

Save me -,rne Tomorrow said he. and
he dropped coin into the basket and stroie
away Mind. tomorrow" he called over
his SHOULDER.
The CON was gold.
To-uiorrow 'Phrzsie was not at her door
way.
1t was several days before she returned
But she must earn her bread
When the rni1itaire came he touched his
hat 70 her. He lifted it as II 10 a lady or to
enfin to Madeleine
Where have you beena Have you been
inf' he asked
..Je n'enten,is pas rAngiais,r Phrase an
swered from her pale lips. She had been
repeating tae phrase TO herself all the morn
ing.
So he asked her again-in French
'sYes, am III. she answered
And my vioistsf
-.They-they do not grow any longer, said
the poor girl family.
All the better, then" said the militaire,
for | have a message for you. my child Ny
wife-she is an invalid brought her home
from the Midi little while ago, and her
French maid has left her. have told her
about YOU She is interested in you. Do you
think YOU could learn to wait on heri Will
YOU 90 10 see her"
A gulf seemed to open e4fore the little ex-
lie. on whose brink she struggled, dizzy and
cold only sensible that somewhere there WIS
a uay OF escapse-somew where behind her-but
her head swan.
Well, - said the militaire come, my child,
and YOU shall go to the country first and get
your health back For you look sick, indeed. -
PHRASE leaned against the granite tower.
Mon dIeu aide-InOi, she prayed
There was little shadow, another figure
stood before her 'Phrasles eyes, half open,
diInly recognized the newcomer-a customer,
who frequently came by-a splendid, richly
dressed lady, with the souls Of two different
women in her face-with hard eyes and a
tender mouth. Come, Colonel Markham
she said, in English-in the English which
'Phrasie did not understand what are
you saving here to my little flower girlH
The little flower girl tottered 70 her feet,
with outstretched hands.
.'Ah, madame. save met she cried. Il am
alone-friendie ii vent me pertre!7-
The colonel and Mrs.. Edwardcs turned to
each other with surprised looks. Phrase
was swaying on her weak little feet. The
lady caught her.
Colonel said Mrs. Edwardes
Said the colonel gravely but quickly, in
his deep voice: She has made nllstake-a
Frenchwoman's mistake! have been ask
ing her to come and be my wifes maid. Do
you seeF
Mrs EIwardes scanned his face a moment
A crowd was collecting.
She turned TO 'Phrasie my child" she
said in French and in low voice, go to his
wife. You are not i'll France, and this is the
most perfect chevalier in the world Il
knew HIM when was a girl"
'Phrasie gasped, and looked wildly at Mrs
Edwardes-whose eyes, too, We're tender now.
The crowd was growing larger The colonel
swung around, with a sudden fire in his eye,
and ordered them back,
A color came into 'Phrasies cheeks. She
drew long breath.
All, madame! ah, monsieur" she said.
"Forgi,e mel If you knew what my life has
been. And now | am 50 happy, for now
can 20 back to my violetS again"
And still she sits in her Quaker doorway
and sells them and sings over them. She has
forgotten the CONSUMPTION. And she tells her
self daily that she must forget that that
grande dame with the cold, blue eyes is still
in love with her colonel. Translated from the
French for The Philadelphia Times.