Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1889-05-18
CHAPTER XVII.

So IL camo 10 pass that Bebee's day In the
big forest came aud went as simply almost rs
any day that she had played away with the
Varnhart children under tho beech shadows
Of Cambro woods
And when he took her TO her hut at sunset
before tho pilgrims had returned there was a
great bewildered tumult Of happiness in her
heart, but there, was no memory with her
that prevented her from looking at the shrine
in the wall as she passed II, and saying with
quick gesture of the cross on brow and
bosom;
"Ah, dear Holy Mother-how good you
have beeni and am back again, you SEQ,
and will work harder than ever because OF
all this joy that you have given me-"
And sho took another moss roso and
changed IL for that Of the morning, which
was faded, and said TO Flamcn;
"Look-she sends you this. Now do you
know what I meant Ono is more content
when sho Is contentl"
Ho did not answer, but he held her hands
against him moment as they fastened In
the rosebud.
"Not word to the pilgrims. Bebee-you
rememberI'
"Yes, l will remember. do not tell them
every time pray--it will bo like being ST.
lent about that-it will 10 no moro wrong
than that"
But there was touch of anxiety IN tho
words; she was not quito certain she wanted
to DO treasured Instinct moved her not to
speak Of him; but habit made it seem wrong
TO her to have any secret from the people
who had been about her from her birth
I1e did not reassure her; her anxiety was
pretty to watch, and no left the trouble in
her heart, like bce In the chalice Of lily.
Besides, the littlo wicket cato was between
them ho was musiIg whether no would push
1t open once moro
Her fate was In tho balance, though she
did not dream IL, he ha,i dealt with her ten.
derly, honestly, sacrcdly all that day al
most ns much SO us stupid Jcannot could
havo DONE IIe had been touched by her
trust In him, and by tho unconscious beauty
Of her fancies, into a mood that was unlike
all his life and habits But after all. no said
to himself
After all!--
Whero he stood In tho golden evening he
saw the rosy curled mouth, tho soft troubled
eyes, the little brown hands that still tried
to fasten the rosebud, tho young peach like
skin whcro tho wind stirred tho bodice, she
was only little Flemish peasant this poor
little Bebee, little thing Of the fields and tho
streets, for all the dreams Of God that abode
with her. After ALISON or late-the end
would 10 always tho same. What matteri
She would weep little tomorrow, and sho
would not kneel any moro at tho shrine In
the garden wall; and then-and then-she
would stay here and marry the good boor
Jeannot, just the same after awhile; or drift
away after him TO Paris, and leave her two
little wooden shoes, and her visions Of Christ
In tho fields at evening, behind her for ever
more, and do as all the others did, and tako
.t1 k.t
slipper that is called Gold, which brings all
other good things In its train; what matterl
He had meant this from tho first, because
sho was 30 pretty, and those littlo wooden
sabots ran 30 .lithely over tho stones; though
he was not In love with her, but only idly
stretched bis hand for her as q child by In
stinct stretches to fruit that hangs In tho
sun little rosier and q littlo nearer than tho
rest
What matter-he said to himself-she
loved him, poor little soul, though sbo did
not know it-and thcro would always DO
Jeannot glad enough Of handful Of bright
French gold.
He pushed the gate gently against her; her
hands fastened tho rosebud and drew open
the latch Themselves
"Will you come In littlef' she said, with
the happy ,ight in her face "You must not
stay long. because tho flowers must 10
watered, and then there arc Annemies pav-
terns-they must bo done or sho will have no
money aud no food-but II you would
come In for littlci And see-if you wait a
minute will show you the roses that shall
cut tomorrow thc first thing. and take down
TO St. Guido 10 Our Lady's altar In thank
offering for today ! should like you TO
choose them-you yonrself-and II you would
Just touch them I should feel as II you gave
them TO her too VIII your
She spoke with the pretty outspoken frank
ness Of her habitual speech, just tempered
and broken with tho happy, timid hesitation,
the curious sense at once of closer nearuess
and Of greater distance. that had come on her
since he had kissed her among the bright bean
flowers
He turned from her quickly.
"No. dear-no. Gather your roses alone,
Bebee-if touch them their leaves will fall "
Then, with hurriedly backward glance
down the dusky lane 10 SEQ that none were
looking, be bent his head and kissed her again
quickly and with a sort OF shame, aud swung
the gate behind him and went away through
the boughs and the shadows.