Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1890-12-13
7 :. SSA.
CHAPTER ".

Tesse was standing by the window
In her favorite primrose gown, with
ribbon of the same hue in her dark
hair, cutting the dead flowers off her
plants. She greeted Austen with such
a sweet welcome, such eager thanks,
that he felt amply repaid for his
trouble.
what have you been doing with
yourself to-day, Tessa?" he asked, as
he watched the white fingers placing
the flowers in the vases. Ibid you
persuade my mother to go out?h
.sNo, could not;" and Tessa looked
a little troubled. What is the mat
ter with her, Mr.. Bevan? Is she
always so quiet and sad? l fancied
that she looked little brighter and
happier week or two ago; but lately
she has ceased to take any interest in
anything, and can't rouse her at all.
Are people always like that, Mr.. Be
yan''-and Tessa dropped her flowers
and looked up wi questioning solemn
eyes-.'old people, l mean? When
one gets so near the end Of life, does
everything seem trivial and worth
Iess?n
s.Not always" and Tessa's troubled
look was reflected in Austen's eyes.
Then why should it be so with
her?' Tessa persisted. she told me
only yesterday that she was very
tired"-and the girls voice dropped
and there was a mist of tears in her
eyes-''that she was only waiting
now"
waiting? For what?n
s'For DEATH Tessa answered softly
and then there was a long pause.
s.You do not think she looks worse
than usual, Tessa?n Austen said a
last.
Tessa hesitated moment.
81 think" she said, very gently, an,
gravely, .'that she looks as if he
heart was broken"
Austen looked at her in surprise
and gave short uneasy laugh.
s.Nonsenseri he said impatiently
@4What can a child like you know Z
who bear them2"
s4Ah, but l do knowr'-and less
gave quaint little nod. II remen
her Sister Ursula. She was one {
the nuns in the convent near Charente
Madame Frejus, my old governes:
had sister there, and used otter
on holidays and saint-days, to go u
to the convent and talk to the sister
and play with the pupils, and / kne
sister Ursula very we'll; she was :
good-the best woman that ever livet
/ think. Every one loved her. III
girls always went to her if they wei
in disgrace or trouble, and the poop
in the village used to beg for ht
prayers. But for all that-for all 81
was so sweet and sanity, and so ne;
heaven''-an Tessa's voice sank ar
her eyes grew misty-''her heart WI
broken-I knew that well enough"
Austen looked at the girls gra,
face curiously.
4Why? Had she some great tro
ble?'' he questioned.
"She had been engaged to a your
officer, "Tessa answered quietly, sal
Just about the time fixed for the
marriage, the Franco-Prussian W
broke out. He of course went wi
his regiment to the front, and, on I
very day which was to have been h
wedding day, she heard he had be-
killed at Worth. She was i'll for sor
time, and then she took the veil, a
this is the saddest part Of the stor
4 think-just after she had complet
her novitiate and taken the final WOW
she found she had been deceived
that her lover had not been killt
only severely wounded at Worth, a
that her parents had kept back t
news until it was too late. They 81
even then she was very good and /
tient, and never uttered word of
proach, and she prayed always;
somehow / know'--and Tessa's vo
grew very low and awed-''that S
had been as near despair in those da
as any one can be and live on. A
it was then that that look came il
her face"