Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1892-09-02

She must be like her mother; he didn't
know enough to go in when 1t showed.
but got frozen stiff in his own yardi"
In the kitchen behind the store there
was jubilee. Bettiue was kneeling
by couch on which lay the little
jacques, dearer to her than aught in
the world, until she had mot Victor.
The room was quite barc--the invalid's
couch, white table, shining black
stove with cracking fire; not much
more, but all spoilessly clean. The
only disorder was from Jacques's
work. Clippings of bright tissue
paper lay about, for he was making
more garlands-roscs, wcct-poas,
snowballs. The thin fingers we're very
,iextcrous.
1.-The coed God has helped us,
Jacques. You shall have lessons in
drawing-they shall be your sharel
Nj ssieu Smith will take our bread,
day by day-;hat will not be less than
half dollar, and the whole dollar
will comel Little Jacques, little
jacques, what would | do without
you?"
''Dear Bettinew faltered the lad,
wincing with pa n, ~ it is who am of
no use-it is who stand between Vic
tor and you'll IL could but stop
living when the agony is great, thon |
could be at peace"
"Jacqucsi little Jaeqncsl" pleaded
the sister, "il is for you to live, for
You to become famous. There shall
yet be Blaisot who will be COLO
brated! l love to think I shall have
helped to make him sol AS for Vic
tor, We arc young
Tmglcl tingle! went the shop-boll.
In tricc, business-like young wo-
man was dispensing her wares aud So
Letting orders in her pretty English.
Bettine soon carried on brisk bus
iness, for she was both energetic and
obliging. Each possible cont was laid
by for the ond in view. Loag before
dawn thin cufl of smoke arose from
the kitchen chimney-the show case
was rcplenishcd with crulIers or crisp
sced-cakes before the sun was well up.
Bbnr-made pies were added to the
stocf. Bvtdno und time al night
for them. Nor waa Jacques ever neg
lccted-Jacqucs first always, then Gus
TONERS or cooking. Beyond doubt she
was doing well. A snug sum was laid
by Jacques did his share also, and
found a market for his work IN the
city-drawings on birch bark, delicate
paintings OH Easter eggs. His paint
box was one of the first purchases and
it proved a good investment, for it
gave the lad congenial occupation and
a sense of helping in the earning.
AT last the time came! There was
enough for Jacques to go to the hos
pitaI Bettine took him to Halifax at
once, gave him in charge of the CHEEKY
faced matron and hurried back to the
shop.
How desolatc it all was without
Jacqucsl Each kindly inquiry for
the lad brought tears of longing to
her brown eyes. Jacques was all she
had now, for Victor had been gone a
full year, at work on the new railroad,
and no word came from him. She
heard that he had quarreled with his
father. However this might be, Le
B.anc, ST., never came near her shop
and passed her coIdly on the street.
A eodseud came at last. One blust-
cry winter night, she found little
old woman on her doorstep. She
took her in for the night, but iii the
morning she could not let her go. II
was so terrible to be alone. The old
woman was deaf aud very peculiar.
IIer black eyes followed Bettinc with
an imploring look. Bettine some
times fancied that the eyes were like
Vicior's, but she put that thought
sleadfasIly from her. She had found,
at least, what her strong sclf-sacrificiug
nature uecded-somclhing to care for.
1t was nearly year since jacques
had gone. lie would be at home in
chcrry-time. He would 80 TO the fete
without crutch. Bettine would sc
with him, but ahI with such heavy
heart. This had once been her feast
of betrothal, as it would be TO many
of the maids this year.
jacques came-thc fete camel Bet
tine took her two charges to the mer
rv-making. jacques was so well and
strongl Her heart thrilled with pride
as she looked at him. She had ar
rayed the old lady most carefully fol-
the fete, but behold what sight was
sho nowl Her cap all awry, her
white hair floating wildly about, as
she broke right through the dance and
fell into the arms of no less person
age than-Victor's fatherl
Truly, French people love scene,
and the reunion of mother and son
was much enjoyed. 1t was an odd
story.
The old lady had a strong desire to
see her eldest son once more. Not
wilhstanding her infirmity she had
travelled safely alone from Upper
Canada. until nearly at her destina'
ton. when her money had been stolen
She had attempted to walk the remain
/ ,st an,l xuas pnrishinu a.