Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1892-11-17

terrible weather. Ana the FOOT warmers,
YOU know, are cold"
What can we do, monsieur? We have
photographed to Toancrre for navyjas, bHt,
us / said before, we must wait nh hour at
least"
at is abomnable. Your majesty will
take cold" exclaimed the baroness.
Yves, indeed, am very cold" said the
queen, shiverng.
The general perceived that the hour for
hcrusm had come. He opened the car.
riacc door, sprang ont, buried himself u1
to his knees in snow and caught the man
with the lantern. He said something in a
low voice to him.
"If it were the great inogul himself |
could do nothing" replied the official,
"but we are close TO the cottage of sig
mailman; be may have II lire-and If the
lady likes to get out-eh, Sabalier!'
n second lantern approached
"Go and see if the signalman has n fire."
Fortunately lie had. The general was
more pleased than if lie had gained bat
tie. He returncd to the queen and told her
the result of his inquiries.
The next minute the three travellers were
stamping their feet to remove the snow
from their boots in the low room of the
cottage to which the siCnalman had con
Quoted them, and lie in his fur cap was
. kneeling be- pre- the fire throwing dry logs
on to the smoldering ashes.
The queen, seated in front of the cheer
full flames, had thrown her cloak on to the
back of her chai:. She had drawn Off her
long gloves to warm her hands and was
gazing around her.
1t was IA peas MS room, with floor of
dried earth and strings Of onions hanging
from the blackened raftefs An old mus
kct rested on two nails above the hearth,
and on a shelf were Il few Powered plates
The general made n grmace as he saw
two cheap prints fastened to the wall with
pins: one was the portrait of NJ. Theirs,
the other of Garbaldi in his red shirt.
But the queens attention is attracted by
something By the side OF the big bed, al.
most hidden blythe striped cotton curtains
u wicker cradle, whence comes the sound
of yawning made by waking child
In an Instant the signalman has left the
fire and is gently rocking the cradle
Don't be frightened, darling; there's
nothing to be afraid of; its only some OF
daddy friends"
This man in the fur cap seemed a good
father. He had Il head as bald as st. Peters,
the coarse mustache of an old soldier, and
two deep scars on his face.
is it your own little girl?" inquired the
queen, quite interested.
Yes, madame, my little Cecile; she will
be three next month";"
"Are you a widower?"
The man shook his head sadly. And the
queen, quite touched, rose, moved toward
the cradle. and looked down on little Cecile
sleeping so peacefully, n little wooden dog
clasped lovingly in her small arms.
"pOor child ~ she, tOurulIrpt
"Nes, indeed" said the siSnalman in n
low voice. "A mother must be heartess
to torsake a little girl like this. But it was
my own fault she left me- | had no bust
ness to marry woman so much younger
than myself, and was to blame in allow
ing her to go to the town where she made
bad acquaintances
But to leave this darling! How could
she do it? And I'm left to bring her up as
best | can. It's not easy because of my
work At night, when | hear the engine
whistle often have to 60 off and leave
her crying.
"But in the daytime I carry her on my
left arm and wave my flag with my right,
and she never even starts when the express
flies by. Her frocks and caps give me most
trouble, but luckily a corporal in the
zouavcs generally gets to know something
about needles and thread"
But, my poor man" said the queen, "it
is very hard upon you. Listen. | should
like to help YOU There must be a village
somewhere near, and honest people who
would undertake the charge of your little
girl. If it is only a question OF money'--
The sigEalm&n shakes his head.
mo, my good lady, no. I'm not proud
Twill accept thankfully anything you may
like tOI1 for nv ('ppiin--l,t | riu p.V.r