The morning call., 1893-07-16

she ASKED about many things. and he re-
piled. kindly and laughlngly. Between
two strokes Of the oar he looked at her-so
fresh. so gentle. with such clear. pure eyes.
and with the two red spots again burning
in her pale cheeks.
manners. but mean well. all the. same
even toward pretty girls like you.
You are very kind, sir"
II am not a sir. My name is Henri.
And you?"
Il? Cloclo"
"Cloclo ?" he replied. "That is no name
at ALL"
True: but they always call me so. MY
real name is ClotIlde."
"Clotilde? II sounds distinguished, he
said. CALAMITY.
Suddenly she had fit of coughing. and
before she could recover her hat TELL on
her head into the water.
20 sir. my hat. please! My hat!
With vigorous stroke of the oars he
turned the boat and caught the hat. She
was about to take it. And the captor's
reward ?' lie said. "Oh, don't you know
it?" He seized one of her hands and
gently. and a little tremendously. he
pressed kiss upon it. Then he gave the
hat back to her.
AS he reseated himself he said: "Look
black cloud TO the right will burst over
u.s."
DO you think so? Oh. row me ashore
quickly" Her thoughts went to her
mother. to Mazure-perhaps they were
still taking nap. Somebody was calling.
"ClocIoi Cloclow In two strokes they
were ashore.
THANK you. You have given me a
great pleasure"
"Au rev0ir, mademoiselle." He helped
her out of the Doat and then watched her
as she ran away toward the place from
which the voices came. Theresa, with
red face, was still SHOUTING "Clocoo Ma
zuIe looked uneaslly lat the sky.
Make haste; cant you: he eoer cried; Won on
hat is in fine state. Let us co." he added :;
I'VE shall never get to the station before
the rain comes down."
They were drenched with rain when
they arrived.
when does the next train leave?"
In five minutes"
And in the crowd which the storm drove
back into Paris they tried to get dry
Coclo was in a pitlable state; her wet
dress clung 10 her body; she looked so
miserable with her limp ribbons cllnglng
to the dripping dress. The train came IN :;
the crowd made a rush for it; the car
rages were already full. and they had to
stand outside on the platform. Standing
motonless in the pouring rain. Cloclo felt
the cold wafer penetrate her clothes; the
rush of cold air froze her; she shivered.
ana a horrible cough, driving the tears
lnlo her eyes, began to shake her.
Nov, you had better not 60 aud get III. -
Manure said. If YOU had come sooner
this would not have happened"
Cloclo said nothing; she raised her
shoulders so as not To teel the cold that
hrOupht IN this burnInp pOuuh
And the return was sad and silent. eX-
cept for Mazure's grumbling and growing.
Cloclo has gone to bed shiverlng and
cold. The doctor who has been called in
has left again with face which SAID: :
TOO latef'
Manure has heard of it with motion; to
him it is only disagreeable, because it may
interfere with his comfort; he may be
neglected or forgotten. Thrrese,
now that her child is i'll, has become the
mother once more; she sits at the foot Of
the bed. stitching away, her eyes large
with tears, which, however, must not be
allowed to fall. for they might soil her
work. And very, very sOftv-so that
in her memory for the old prayers, and
murmurs: Holy Mary. mother of God
prav for us.'
Cloclo lies before her. The little face
is very red, and on the forehead stand
large burning beads of pers plratl0n, which
roll slow ly down her cheeks: She thinks ::
$50 it is finished now. n | die
without having seen anything.
known anything" Then she
pauses; the Indefinite thought takes shape
in her spirit-"Without having loved
without having ,ee,e% been i9yed d
words-to words of love" She
sghs. Opposite to her, against the wall.
hangs the dress which she had worn on
her few dress days." ragged and 3D.
with big blotches here and there on the
dyed material. To her it is bitter pin to
think that she Will not wear her dress
her beautiful dress-again. Oh, il only
only she ght wear 1t again!
Mother. when l am dead you will put
my dress on me, won't you-my first com
munioD dress ?"
TIE erese gives an agonized look at her
daughter. But. my darling, | assure you,
you know" Her voice breaks in her
throat; she waves her hands, bites her
lips till they bleed, and replies with a
smile, You sliv little thing. why do you
talk so foolishly?" And without raising
her eyes she works on hurriedly, nerv-
ouSly, tearing the lace and crumping the
ribbon. and unable to hide her pain.
Cloclo looks at her. and her eyes fix them
selves On the piece Of work her mother is
nnlsElDg.
"Oh, what a pretty, pretty corsetw
Her head swims; she thinks no longer
her thoughts are dream. She is beauti-
tul. very beautiful. with flowers in her
hair and jewels on her arms, her neck,
everywhere n . She wears white
dress and soft veil across her breast
she is fair and graceful and no longer
i'll. What gold, what lights there
are! There ara gentlemen round her, ad-
mring her, and from the group young
fellow comes forward to meet her. 1t Is
he-the fair youth. the sailor; he is kind
and gracious as before he will ask her to
dance with him. He comes nearer. and
again. as he has done down on the river,
he kisses her hand. Sounds ol
vague sweet music float in the air; waltz
is being softly played and his kiss is on
her lips. All is we'll.
A deep sigh and nothing more.
Cloclo, the fair-haired child who has
known neither love nor joy, died with a
smile on her lips.-From the French OF
Louis Minart.
SHE THREW ME A KISS.