Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1891-04-02
GOVERNORS WO0ING.

.l.d an attendant, as he opened the door
~ deputy governors office
vas a large, severe looking apartment,
~ very high ceiling, two windows
Nod with green damask curtains, walls
armchairs Of the same color. and
bookcases Of mahogany. The highly
"a floor reflected the cold symmetry of
~ oeical furniture, and the mirror over
,ontelpiece reproduced with exactness
Asiack marble clock, two bronze lamps
"a pair of gilt candlesticks.
unhert Boinville, the deputy governor,
soated. with his back to the fireplace,
larpe mahogany desk which was lit
81 over with deeds and various papers,
II. raised his grave, melancholy face which
rss framed in a brown beard, tinged with
Few gray hairs, and his black eyes, with
nod looking lids, glanced at the card
'rSicb the solemn usher handed to him.
IN this card was written in trembling
..oJ Venye Blouet (widow Blouet), but
.Is name conveyed no Information to him
s,d he nut it down impatiently.
III 4 an old lady, sir" said the attend
,r+ IN explanations; ''shall send her
| sWayi"
M let her come in, replied the deputy
.,varnor in a tone of resignation.
The usher Strengthened himself up in his
,,iiorm. bowed and disappeared, return
Ind the next minute to show in the visitor,
M stopped on the threshold and dropped
an old fashioned courtesy.
Hilbert Boinville half rose from his chair,
and with cold politeness signed her to a
soat which she took after making another
courtesy.
bewas a little old lady, dressed in shabby
nonrning. Her black merino gown had a
Treensh tinge, and was wrinkled and
5,rned; limp Grape veil, which had evil
8aetlv served through more than one period
If mourning, hung down on each side from
an old fashioned bonnet, and beneath
rant of false brown hair was round,
Vrinkled face with bright little eyes,
small mouth and no teeth
"sir,p she began, in somewhat breath
IL voice. 81 am the daughter, sister and
vdow Of men who served their country.
sDplied some time ago TO the department
tr help. and have come to see whether
there is any hope"
The deputy governor listened without
moving muscle Of his face. He had heard
20 many supplications of this kindl
Have you ever received any assistancep
keasked coldly.
NO, SIR she replied. II have man
aged to get on until now without asking.
lhaye small pension"
aAhl' he interrupted in a dry tone, ''in
that case am afraid we can do nothing
you. We have a great many applicants
who have no pension to rely upon"
"Ah, listen, STRIP she cried despairingly,
q have not explained everything. had
three sons, and they are all dead. The last
one taught mathematics, and one day dur
hg the winter, when he was going from
the Pantheon to Chaptal college he caught
arolent cold, which settled on his lungs
and carried him off in two weeks. He had
supported me and his child by teaching;
ihe expenses of his illness and death used
pall our little savings, and / had to raise
money on my pension. Now | am alone in
The world with my grandchild, and we have
nothing am SO years old, sir
Tears had gathered under her wrinkled
eyeds as she spoke, and the deputy gov
ernor was listening more attentively than
hhad done at first, A peculiar singing
iHtonaton of the speakers voice, and the
sound of certain provincial expressions
seemed to his ears like once familiar mu-
SIC the old lady's way of speaking had for
BIN flavor of home which produced
most singular sensation in his mind. He
rng his bell and sent for Madame Blouet's
.1.k. had
hida thin package before him he exam
ined the yellow pages with evident interest.
You are from Lorraine, see, madame"
be said at last, turning toward her face
les stern, and on which faint smile was
seen; u suspected it from your accent"
Yes sir, am from Argonne," she an
sEered "And you recognized my accenti
Thought had long since lost it. ! have
been knocking about France like flying
camp.
The deputy governor looked with in
Geasing compassion at shis poor widow
whom harsh wind had torn from her
naiiye forest and cast into Paris like
Fthered leaf He felt his official heart
growing softer, and smiling again he said;
lam also from Argonne. lived near
Jour village for long time, at Clermont."
and then he added gayly: Keep up your
courage, Nine. Blouet. hope we shall be
able to help you. Will you give me your
aiiress?n
No. l2 Rue de la Sante, near the Capu-
cum convent. Thank you, sir, for your
kindness am very glad to have found
Niow countryman," and after repeated
0artesies the widow took her departure.
As soon as she was gone NJ. Boinville
rose, and going to the window stood look
ing down into the garden with his face
against the glass But he was not looking
~ the tops of the half leafless chestnut
fees; his dreamy gaze wandered far off to-
ward the east, beyond the plains and the
1al6y hills of Champagne, past large
loest, to a valley where a quiet river
lowed between two rows of poplar trees,
. little old town with tile rooted houses.
mere his early childhood had been passed,
ald later his vacations. His father, who
hs registrar in the Office of the chief JUS
, eee' led narrow, monotonous life, and he
llhself was early accustomed to hard
WORK and strict discipline. He had left
pOme when in his twenty-first year and
eaa returned only to attend his fathers
funeral.
Possessing a superior intellect and an
uoa will, and being an ndefatigable
worker, he had risen rapidly on the official
adder, and at IS years of age was made
1sputy governor. Austere, punctual, re-