St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-05-03

AT nlgnt cream OF CneSe men again,
and wake terrified and grasp my crucifix
| very lightly indeed until the morning
! dawns again. If [ weep much more
shall have two furr0ws in my cheeks,
and when go back to Barbizon with a
great fortune in my pockets my little
maman will not know her Marie. But
enough of me- Snail We not begin the
pink at once, madame? 1t will go sweetly
with MeeS Florence's hair. If
you will refresh yourself with a
Irifiing rest L will go and cut out the
waist, madame. The moments are fly
ing" Mam'zelle carefully laid aside
her hat and gloves, took out the long
pin from the great, shining knot OF hair,
thrust it i'll again very, very securely,
and was gone. Laying on the couch
Mrs. Sheldon watched the trim, girlish
figure fitting tireleSSly to and fro in the
room beyond. The sun doesn't shine
in on a prettier sight i'll the whole of
Sheldon, with dropping eyes still sleep
lily intent upon the blooming picture
the pink and sunshine and flowers,
and, above all. the girl herself,
chow very-very-pretty," and consist
emily enough the mother of Florence
fell asleep and dreamed that Richard,
her eldest. her darling, had eloped with
little French seamstreSS with curious
ly shining hair. and that they had gone
housekeeping in two dismal rooms in
the splendid palace of Versailles.
"But, mam'Zelle, don't understand.
How can you have the heart to leave me
so? You say | have been a good friend
to you" Mrs. Sheldon's voice was
plaintive.
You are the best friend l ever had,
madame"
Yet you do not hesitate to leave me,
and on SO short a notice."
''The pink-it is finished, madame"
1t was evidently an effort for mam'Zelle
to speak, and her eyes were fixed un-
flinchingly on the little pot of Towering
mignonette.
''Mam'zelIe, think of the work yet to
be done. You must stay"
Madame, l cannot"
son, mam'Zelle. The salary perhaps"
"Oh, madamew There was a world
of reproach in mam'ZelIe'S eloquent
eyes. Mrs. Sheldon, with a character
istic impulse, took the clasped hands be-
tween her own. Tell me, my dear,
what is 1t 2"
Mam'zelle'S head dropped low. How
grateful she felt for the shadow of her
ribbon hat. MADAME, your son-
Monsieur Richard-De has overwhelmed
me with honor. He-he has asked me
to marry him. All, feared you would
hate mer'
Mrs. Sheldon had pushed the shrink
ing figure from her with rough con-
tempt Her fears were realized then.
so" she calculated harshIy. unpity
ingly, you want to leave the service of
the mother now that you have the son.
l begin to understand"
Don't, don't, madame, for the love of
the good God. Your words are like
sharp knife" cried the girl, with hands
outstretched appeaIingIy. II tried to
avoid Monsieur Richard, He is good,
| tell you, it is impossible. l am be-
throthed. l am promised to Antoine
Gautier ever since we played together,
boy and girl, in the meadows of Barbi-
zon."
rs this true, mam'Zelle?" asked the
elder woman, relentingly.
LAS true as there is a heaven" said
the other, feryently.
And you feel that you must GO,
then?"
You will understand that l cannot
remain, madame-Monsieur Richard"-
said the girl, Complementary
"Yes, that is true,'' sighed the APP
peased mother. Poor Richard, Well,
mam'ZeIle. l shall miss you sorely. You
must hurry and make that fortune. We
won't forget you when we are in Amer
lea, and you must always consider me
one of your best friends, you know.
Goodbye. my dear, and be careful of
yourself, mam'Zelle." She kindly kissed
the SorroWful, flower-like face.
'Adieu, madame, ct que lie bon Dien
vous beniSSe," faltered mam'Zelle, and
presently Mrs. Sheldon saw her gliding
I'D the Boulevard Periere, the gay para
sol valiantly erect overhead. As to the
fluttering heart. the trembling hands
and the thousand sickening frIghts, who
was there to tell of all that but the
staunch little cherrywood parasol
handle that so loved the truth? But
then it was discreet little handle that
told no secrets about timid young
French girls who had fortune to
make.
'And there is really no hopeoo''
None, madame. The days IF Mann
zelle Marie are numbered. For year
she has faded, faded slowly, and
now the end is not far off. But she is
brave; she will not realize it. But
come, madame. She will be glad to see
you, pauvre petite" Very willingly
Mrs. Sheldon followed the concierge.
Up, up. 1t was a long mount to the
ninth floor. Turning the handle of the
second door gently she beckoned h err
visitor to follow, and they stood in
mam'zelle's room, At first she lay so
hn
but in an instant the blue eyes
were wide open and she sprang
to her feet. Dear, dear mad
ame.'' cried the melodious voice, land
| thinking you in America!' Mrs. Shell
don hastily put her arms around the
slender form and placed her once more
Oh the bed. "Cherie. You should not
exert yourself like that" cried the con-
cierge, with alarm.
Il shall not do it again, Mere jean
cite. You spoil me. But you, madame.
Let me feast my eyes on you-.it is such
happiness. All, it has been long, long
year since you went. | missed you
sadly"
Did you, dear? Well, 1 missed my
little French girl very much. | only
returned to France for short stay, and
here find you ill. You have not taken
care of yourself after all, mam'zelle,
and what will your mamma say to that?''
Poor little maman!" murmured
mam'zelle commiseratingly. Poor
little mamann' she sighed again.
Would you believe it, madame, L have
not made that fortune yet? l have
worked for several American ladies
since you went away, and they were
very kind. One Of them had such beau
tiful jewels. She was indeed generous.
She gave me four francs a day, and Just
because l stayed until 9 o'clock every
evening. have been lazy since then,
and she has sent her footman twice to
inquire ii am growing stronger
That was indeed good of her," SAID
Mrs. Sheldon with mild irony; "but,
dear, don't you think you would like to
see your mamma, or Antoine, or any
one? 1t is so long since you have seen
them, and | could manage it very
nicely"
"A thousand thanks, dear madame,
but it would worry poor mama to see
me lying here. | think | shall wait I'M
ON or.