The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-17
CHAPTER I.


III WAS A nuuy. sicky child from my very
II BIRTH so much so that some OF my mothers
intimates were quite put out at finding them
~ selves rated as false prophets, aud exhibited
no little i'll humOr at the presidency with which
I held on TO life. Twice during my youth l was
stricken down with dangerous feyers, and
il seemed a miracle TO everybody that should
GET well again Life would have been intoleraole
10 me-for needed not to be reminded Of II, as
was ten times day, 10 see that was extremely
il-fayored-had it not been for my strong Intel
lfnepce and wonderful memory, which maze IL
an easy matter for me 10 be hTst IN ali my
classes at The College Of Nantes, where was cd
ucated The pleasantest recolections Oh my
bCybood recall the visits used to make with my
father at an old tumble-down house. where ale
raucakes and dragged Marguerite about IN her
itile wagon She was the daughter OF THESE
f,lends of NV father and grew to be very Iona
of me on account of MY Willingness 10 spenu all
nv time in amusing her. somewhat laler
saved her from being gOled by VICIOUS cow
beating of the Infatuated animal Win my cane
and exhibited a bravery and strength which
surprised ne as much as it did others.
In a few years Marguerite shot up tall and
graceful as a lily and l made a discovery which
almost robbed me of my reason. She loved some
one better than she did me. IL was Simoneau,
handsome, vigorous youth, as rudy ana glowing
with health as l was pale and sallow Win as
80 ueIC6, So Nlultul hto NY JStbho1 hiH'
nv long bCny fingers twitchtd with mad de-
size 10 clutch at bis throat when he passed near
u5e Slropg as lie was l felt that my furious
hatred would help me out and enable me TO over
come him.
There was no time to be lost. l determined to
ask Tor Maguerite's hand at once. Never shall
! forget Tie look Of pain which came over her
face as her father called her into the room and
made known my proposal of marriage. She
seemed 10 be completely overwhelmed by the
terrible position in which placed her, for While
she piiied me for my mislortunes and was CRATE
ful 10 me for having saved her life, do not THINK
that such an Idea as my desiring 10 make her my
wife had ever for single instant presented ltsei
10 her mind But she was an amla0!e ana oDeul'
ent Girl and yielded TO lie wishes OF her parents.
AS there was absolutely no future Tor me IN tnat
small country place l resolved TO take my beal-
ulul wife TO Paris, where was promised posi-
IL was a rough journey, sitting all night on the
haEd board seat OF the tniTd-elaSs railway coach,
but Marguerite was patient and nope1ul, ana we
reached The great city at last. and engaged lodg-
iugs in Rue Dauphlne. 1his was wednesday
morning. / took 10 my bed at once and never
left IL again. On Saturday at dayoreak vas
dead. Just at that moment my poor "ie nau
been hunting for some clothes IN one OF tne
trunks. AS she Strengthened up ana turned
around to ne she noticed that my limos mad
stiff-ued aud that had ceased 10 breathe
Thinking that had 0uly tainted, she Sprang 10
my bedside, and took hold OF my hands. When
the lerrlDl6 Lulu DuISt upon uCii oilS lolt uPoA
her knees and began to weep bitterly, her SOD
blng being Interrupted by heaTtrendlng cries
Of: "AleICifu heaven lie Is dead ne IS dead J.
Can this really be DEATH, ASKED lnysel;
tthis strange lethargy, this loss OF all power OF
motion? Or, IS my soul merely tarrylrg IN my
BRAIN for few moments, before taking night "
had always imagined that death WoulG Ne a
deeper atkness, heavier silence. My whole
lie l had been tormented with the dread Thought
OF ceaSing TO live OF sleeping forever OF CLOSING
my eyes never TO open them again. Even IN my
happlest hours these fits OF melancholy would
come upon me, and when my chances were the
brightest people WOul be surprised al my
gloom.
was hanging over The side OF TIE ped, anu COW
eriug il with kisses, cried out:
"Oyer, speak to me; speak 10 me! On,
Father in heaven. he is dead be is dead ~
Marguerlle's outcry alarmed tile tenant OF the
adjoining apartment. The door was pushed open
ana some one called out:
WHATS the matter neighbour Is he worse
aeaiH?"
recognized The voice Of Anne. Cabin, who had
been very kind 10 US since our arrival.
Heavens Has he passed away ?" she asked
lowering her voice.
was looking at me. Then she touched me and
said feeiugly, as she stood listening 10 Marguer-
lies sobblug:
My poor little girl, my poor little girl ~
Nine. Cabin now led her 10 seat and endeaY-
oIed 20 comfort her.
Really, you'H rnjure yourself. Because your
husband has passed away IS no reason that you
Should take on 30. When Cabin die1 l acted IN
tie same way, but il did me no good"
by degrees Marguerite quoted down. She was
completely exhausted. Our old neighhor had
proceeded TO take charge OF every DETAIL
"DOu't worry about anything" she murmuredi
"my litlle daughter has just carried some work
home You know neighbOrs should help each
other OFT al such times"
Then She spread a clean napkin on little
table al lie head of my bed, scratched match
and lighted several candles. was following her