Fairhaven herald. [volume] (Fairhaven, Wash.) 1890-????, 1891-04-28
A GOVERNORS WOOING,

IL was large, severe looking apartment,
with very high ceiling, two windows
draped with green damask curtains, walls
and arnchairs of the same color, and
heavy bookcases of mahogany. The highly
waxed floor reflected the cold symmetry of
the official furniture, and the mirror over
the mantelpiece reproduced with exactness
a black marble clock, two bronze lamps
and pair of gilt candlesticks.
Hubert Boinville, the deputy governor,
was seated, with his back to the fireplace,
at large mahogany desk which was lit
tered over with deeds and various papers.
He raised his grave, melancholy face which
was framed in a brown beard, tinged with
a few gray hairs, and his black eyes, with
tired looking lids, glanced ut the card
which the solemn usher handed to him.
On this card was written in a trembling
hand, Veuve Blouet (widow Blouet), but
the name conveyed no information to him
and he put it down impatiently.
1T is an old lady, sir" said the attend
ant, in explanation; shall l send her
away"
mo, let her come in" replied the deputy
governor in tone of resignation.
The usher Strengthened himself up in his
uniform, bowed and disappeared, return
ing the next minute to show in the visitor
who stopped on the threshold and dropped
an old fashioned courtesy.
Hubert Boinvile half rose from his chair
and with cold politeness signed her to a
seat, which she took after making another
courtesy.
She was little old lady, dressed in shabby
mourning. Her black merino gown had a
greenish tinge, and was wrinkled and
darned; limp Grape veil, which had evil
IDENTIFY served through more than one period
OF mourning, hung down on each side from
an old fashioned bonnet, and beneath a
front of false brown hair was round,
wrinkled face with bright little eyes,
small mouth and no teeth.
''Sir," she began, in n somewhat breath
less voice, 81 am the daughter, sister and
widow of men who served their country.
applied some time ago to the department
for help, and have come to see whether
there is any hope"
The deputy governor listened without
moving "a muscle of his face. He had heard
so many supplications of this kindl
"Have you ever received any assistance"
be asked coldly
"No, sir" she replied. 81 have man
aged to get on until now without asking.
have a small pension"
"Ah" he interrupted in dry tone, Gin
that case am afraid we can do nothing
for you. We have a great many applicants
who have no pension to rely upon"
"Ah, listen, sir!" she cried despairingly,
81 have not explained everything. | had
three sons, and they are all dead. The last
one taught mathematics, and one day dur
ing the winter, when he was going from
the Pantheon to Chaptal college lac caught
a violent cold, which settled on his lungs
and carried him off in two weeks. He had
supported me and his child by teaching;
the expenses Of his illness and death used
up all 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 81 years old, sir"
Tears had gathered under her wrinkled
eyelids rs she spoke, and the deputy gov
ernor waS,I.stening more attentively than
he had done It first. a peculiar singing
information Of the speakers voice, and the
sound Of certain provincial expressions
seemed to his ears like once familiar mu-
sic; the old lldy's way Of speaking had for
him a flavor Of home which produced a
most singular sensation in his mind. He
rang his bell and sent for Madame Blouet's
"papers," and when the sedate usher had
laid thin package before him he exam
ined the yellow pages with evident interest.
"You are from Lorraine, | see, madame, y
he said at last, turning toward her face
less stern, and on which faint smile was
seen; 81 suspected it from your accent"
ayes, sir, an from Argonne," she an
swered. "And you recognized my accenti
| Thought had long since lost it. | have
been knocking about France like n flying
camp.
The deputy governor looked with in.
creasing compassion at this poor widow
whom a harsh wind had torn from her
native forest and cast into Paris like a
withered leaf lie felt his official heart
growing softer. and smiling again he said
81 am also from Argonne. ! lived near
your village for "A long time, at Clermont.'
And then he added gayly; Keep up your
courage, Mime. Blouet. | hope we shall be
able to help you. Will you give me your
address"
"No. u Rue de la Sante, near the Capu
chin convent. Thank you, sir, for your
kindness. am very glad to have found 4
fellow countryman," and after repeated
courtesies the widow took her departure.
As soon as she was gone NJ. Boinvill'
rose, and going to the window stood look
ing down into the garden with his face
against the glass. But he was not looking
at the tops Of the half leaaess chestnut
trees; his dreamy gaze wandered far off to
ward the east, beyond the plains and th'
chalky hills of Champagne. past a large
forest to valley where a quiet rive
flowed between two rows of poplar trees
to q little old town with tile rooted houses
There his early childhood had been passed
and later his vacations. His father wh6
was registrar in the office OF the chief JUS
tice, led a narrow, monotonous life, and h'
himself was early accustomed to har,
work and strict Discipline. He had lief
home wnen in his tSenty first year an,
had returned only to attend his father
funeral.
Possessing a superior intellect and al
iron will, and being an indefatigabl
worker, he had risen rapidly on the oliicia
ladder. and at 80 years of age was mad
deputy governor. Austere, punctual, re
served and coldly polite, he arrived at hi
Office every morning at exactly 10 o'clocl
and remained there until o, taking worl
with him when be went home. Although
he was possessed of keen sensibilities, hf
bearing was so reserved and undemon
stratiye that be was thought cold and stern
He saw very little Of society, his life beinl
devoted to business, and he had never hai
enough leisure to think of marrying. Hi
heart. indeed, had once asserted itself be
fore he had left home but ss no then ha'
neither position nor fortune the girl h
loved bad refused him in order to marry
rich tradesman.