Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-09-21
THE NURSE.

per when master and servant are con-
cerned, but in the evening Joberte and
Regis were allowed to take their places at
the end of the banqueting table at the
chateau, for was not Joberte Emilienne's
foster sister and Regis the last descendants
of race faithful and often tried?
Besides. Jean de Valroy was open
hearted, not proud, preferring to be
loved rather than feared; each one to his
tastes.
Emilienne was pretty, but Joberte was
beautiful, tall, dark, graceful and strong,
with large black eyes, that were bold but
did not always look one straight in the
face.
She had lived a great deal at the Chateau
de Sancey free as bird, liked by every
body.
This life, surrounded by those who were
not of her class, had not been altogether
good for her. Without making her
actually envious, yet she had sometimes
said to herself, Il am as good as she at any
rate; why, then has she everything and |
nothing ?? Then she would repent and
give way to all kinds of endearment, and
devote herself frantically to her young
lady. And everywhere people said: "What
good creaturer' Between Jean and
Regis no such reserve existed. The ser,
want would gladly have given his hide for
his master. They were of the same age,
had grown up together in the same fresh
air. and sons of the same soil, they even re-
sembled each other.
They whistled for their dogs in the same
manner and sometimes the dogs were mis-
taken. They had long red moustaches
exactly alike, the same blue eyes as calm
as an eternal reflection of infinite hori-
IONS Again their stature was alike, SC
much that at distance the peasants took
one for the other The Count often laughed
at it. "If ever the reign of terror should
come again" said he, "you will mount the
scafold in my stead" "With pleasure
Count" invariably the keeper uldreply
At an interval of three days was born a
son and heir at the chateau and boy in the
gamekeeper's cottage. Great rejoicings in
the village, fireworks were let off and
plenty of wine was drunk in honor Of
Viscount Jean and some also to little
Joseph Garnache. The fathers drank to-
gether, tear on their eyelids, in perfect
equality at that moment When the little
Viscount was intrusted to Joberte, who
was to be his wet nurse, he had round the
neck an antique missive gold locket, which,
it was affirmed, preserved the wearer from
evil Joberte looked attentively at her
own child.
"Who will bring you good luck, my
poor little pet"
And the old, bad smile of former days
would return for an instant.
The two babies were strong, sturdy,
made to live, and, irrespective of caste,
one bawled as loud as the other. Joberte
was soon about again, but Emilienne was
sickly, with attenuated face, for many
days When winter came, the doctor
recommended the south of France, the
eternal sun and perpetual blue skies of the
Mediterranean. The child remained with
its nurse. What was there to fear with
such people as the Garnaches?
The Count and Countess went away
with sorrow, but without apprehension,
confident in these they left behind. Little
Jacques would be we'll cared for.
One winters afternoon Joberte is alone
in the house, the two children sleeping in
their cradles.
She had been standing at the window
for long time, looking at the falling
snow, which fell in big fakes, seemingly
without end. The logs in the CRATE were
cracking; a dog, too old to follow the
master, was warming himself, resigned,
dreaming of past hunts and occasionally
signing deeply.
The young woman was thinking of her
husband, always out of doors in this
weather, as in all others, for tramps and
poachers do not fear chilblains, and GO
about in wind and rain without UNI
brellas.
Suddenly she approached the two era
dies In one, Of filigree work with lace
curtains, supported by silver arrow,
from which hung the massive carved
ivory cross, slept with clenched fist in a
mass of fine embroidered linen, the little
Viscount, his chain around his neck like
the Order of Toison dor. 1t was not this
cradle that Joberte was contemplating
1t was the other-a simple affair made OF
wicker, with serge curtains and coarse
linen, and yet Joseph was sleeping as
peacefully as Jacques. But she did not
see that she saw something else
"Well, you also will have to tramp in
the snow, to watch during the long winter
nights as well as in the summer, looking
for miscreants, at the risk of a bullet, in
order that a pheasant may not be stolen
from the forests, which extend from de
Sancey to Valroy. You will have to work
without ceasing to preserve intact what
does not belong to you. while the owner
lies sleeping in his bed. complaining of
the cold"
She threw a side glance at the rich
cradle.
at will be that one. He will have
everything you will have nothing but the
crumbs that fall from the table, like with
Emilienne, and he will think he is good if
he offers you glass of dessert after you
have walked ten leagues on an empty
stomach. Why? Why? You are as
beautiful your eyes are like his, large and
blue and so clear that they ought never
weep. What is it that separates you ?
Injustice What makes the difference be-
tween you? The shape of your cradle, the
texture of the linen, the pieces OF lace and
chain round the neck But your bodies
are alike, and your souls are yet to be
born. Ny poor Joseph let me put you
in Monsieur lie Niscounts place, and who
besides myself will ever know il? ?"
At these words she smiled a peculiar
smile, cunning, and her face distorted itself
wickedly.
One after the other she undressed the
two children and placed them naked be-
fore the red glare of the blazing fire.
Awakened, they cooed, pleased with the
flames.
For an instant she looked at them !;
they were so alike However (she alone
knew the eyes of Joseph were of darker
blue; then she redressed them hastily,
making an intentional mistake. Now the
Viscount Jacques de Valroy Sancey fell
asleep TRANQUILITY in the wicker cradle,
while little joseph Garnache was crying
Justify in the baby clothes marked with
Counts crown, golden chain round his
little neck under lace coverings.
1t was done. Joberte was trembling all
over. Well, if her husband did find it
out she could say il was joke, to see if
he really knew his own, and should Regis
not perceive the exchange who would?
And then?
"Then you will be happy, rich, of noble
birth, my son. | shall never see you
again, perhaps, but what matters? | have
given you everything"
An bour later Reois came home went