The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1892-02-16
LA BRETONNE.


Auberive prison turned upon its hinges
70 allow TO pass out woman Of some
thirty years. clad in faded wooden
gown and coiifed in linen cap that
framed in d singular fashion q face
pale and pulled by that sickly hued fat
which develops on prison regimen She
was prisoner whom they had just lib
Grated. and whom her companions of de-
tention called La Bretonne.
Condemned for infanticide, it was ex-
sactly. day for day, six years ago that the
prison van had brought her to the Cen
trale. Now. in her former garb, and
with her small stock Of money received
from the clerk in her pocket. she found
herself free and with her rohd pass
stamped for Langrea.
The courier for Langres, however, had
long since gone Cowed and awkward
she took her way. stumbling toward the
chief inn OF the borough, and with
trembling voice asked shelter for the
night But the inn was crowded, and
the aubergiste, who did not care to ,har-
Dor zone Of those birds from over yon-
der. counseled her TO push on to the
cabaret 1T the far end of the village
La Bretonne passed on. and more
trembling and awkward than ever
knocked 1t the door OF that cabaret
which. properly speaking. was but can
tine for laborers. The cabarstiere also
eyed her askance. seeming doubtless a
discharged from the Centrale. and
finally refused her on the plea that she
had no bed TO give her.
La Bretonne dared not insist, but with
BOWED head pursued her way, while at
the bottom Of her soul rose and grew
dull hatred for that world which thus
repulsed her
She had no other resource than to gain
langres afoot.
Toward the end Of November night
comes quickly. Soon she found herself
.enveioped in darkness. on grayish road
chat ran between two divisions OF the
forest. and where the north wind whis-
tied Eerceiy, choked her with dust and
,pelted her with dead leaves.
After six years Of sedentary and re-
-clnss life her legs were stiff, the muscles
knotted and her feet. accustomed to
sabots pinched and bruised BY her new
slippers. At the end Of league she felt
them blistered and herself exhausted
Hhe dropped upon pile OF stones by the
~vayps.de. shiyering and asking herself II
che was going 10 he forced to perish Of
cold and hunger in this black night, nm.
der this icy breeze, which froSe her to
the marrow. , =
All at GInce, In the solitude of the road,
sue seemed to hear the droning notes Of
. voice singing She listened and dis
finguished the air of one OF those caress-
Ding and nonotonous chants with which
one soothes young children.
She was not alone, thenl
She struggled to her feet, and in the
direction from which the voice came,
and there. at the turn of crossroad,
perceived reddish light streaming
Through the branches Five minutes
later she was before mud walled howell.
whose roof, covered by squares of sod
Leaned against the rock, and whose win
dow had allowed to pass that reckoning
ray.
With anxious heart she decided to
knock
The chant ceased instantly and wom-
an opened the door. peasant woman,
no older than La Bretonne herself, but
faded and aged by work. Her bodice,
torn in places. displayed the skin tanned
and dirty; her red hair escaped dishev-
eled from under soiled stuff cap, and
her gray eyes regarded with amazement
the stranger whose face had in it some
thing of touching loneliness
.Good EVENING" said she. lifting yet
higher thesputtering lamp in her hand:
'.what do You desire?"
Il am unable to go on, murmured
La Bretonne, in voice broken by a
sob; the city is far. and il you will
lodge me for the night you will do me a
service. have money; ! will pay you
for the trouble.
Enter replied the other after a
moments hesitancy; but why con
1lnued she, in tone more curious than
suspicious did you not sleep at Aube-
river
They would not give me lodging,
sSOSAA-A3 100 OAdO ~ 70 ctAA4 I<1hCAA WAN q
eudden scruple. be because, see you
j came from the Maison Centrale."
sol the Maison Centrale! but nc
matter enter-l fear nothing. having
known only misery. Moreover, I've a
conscience against turning Christian
from the door on night like this. I'll
give you bed and q slice Of cheese.
And she pulled from the caves some
bundles Of dried heather and spread
Them as pallet in the corner BY ths
lire:
do you live here aloneg" demanded
La Bretonne Tmidly.
Yes. with my gachette, going on sever
years now earn our living by work
ing IN the wood.
Your man. then, Is deadY
Yes. said the other brusquely. ''th
gachette has no father. Briefly. 70 eac
hia sorroNt but come behold Won