Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-03

new ones He knew it would be a hard task
! for he was old and feeble now and almost pas
his work But he could do something-he could
earn little.
Claude was tried and convicted, but power
| full plea for mercy was made on his behalf and
| he was sentenced to two years imprisonment
| only.
Then began the terrible task Of deceiving the
old blind mother. She inquired perpetually
about her boy. What did he write--how was h
| getting or?
! Then NJ. D'Argival and NJ. Hogard between
them made up letters which N. D'Argival read
| aloud to his wife-chee-y, comforting letters
saying all was we'll and that Claude hoped tc
come home again next Christmas.
Christmas came and then an excuse had tc
be invented. The mother bad looked forward
to it SO anxiously-she was always talking Of it.
Claude would be home again-she would be
able to take mis- dear face in her hands and
press her kiss upon his lips.
Every hopeful word abe spoke was as the
stab of sharp knife in the heart Of her hus-
band.
He let her 60 en- hoping until Christmas ave,
then he read her a letter from Claude The
boy hoped his mother would bear up, but he
had just received good news. He had received
splendid appointment in Algiers-far better
than the one he had in the company, but he
had to start for his post at once. and SO b.
would have to send his mother a loving mes
sage and beg her to lot the knowledge Of his
good fortune soften tho blow Of not seeing him
this Christmas time He would be sure to come
| next Christmas, and perhaps before.
For the sake OF her boy the mother bore her
sorrow and was brave.
The two years went by, and the two old men
continued their pious fraud. The blindness of
the mother prevented her seeing many changes
about her-only now and then she detected the
| sadness in her husbands voice. He told her
that he was grieving because she was blind and
linn sta \ Al ha~
own trouble and tried to comfort him.
And at last Claude was free. 1t was Christ
mas time, and he was coming home. He was to
| be Liberated just before Christmas day.
HE is coming" cried the old father joyfully
to his wife, "Ah, my darling, all your patient
waiting is rewarded Your boy is coming home
| again.
He was to arrive on Christmas eve.
Monsieur and Madame D'Argival sat up till
midnight, and NJ Hogsrd stayed with them TO
| welcome the boy.
he did not come.
He will come tomorrow" they said "He
mas been unable to start till the night mail"
Christmas day came and still no Claude.
Christmas day passed.
HE will come tomorrow" said his father, and
Madame D'Argival went upstairs to bed and her
sightless eyes were wet with tears all night.
NJ. HosSrd thought there must be something
| wrong He started for Paris and went to the
authorities.
Claude had been released.
NJ. Hogard said: 'Yes, but he has not re-
turned home. His old father and mother have
expected him for three days"
The commissioner Of police shrugged his
shoulders.
Poor people," he said; II am sorry for
them. They have a worthless son. Claude
u Argival on his release started for Brussels
his mistress, Anastasia LIE Doux, is there-he
has gone to join her."
II. Hogard went back with q heavy heart.
What could he ssy-what could he do-how
could he let the dreadful truth be known to
| those two fond breaking hearts at home?
When he got back there was no need to lie to
| the poor old blind mother any more. She had
died quietly in the night. In the early hours her
husband had been awakened. She was holding
out her arms
"Ah, Claude, my Claude" she cried, "you
have come ut last. Thank God-thank God!''
Then she sank back upon her pillow and
ceased to breathe.
God in His mercy had given her supreme
happiness in the hour Of her death. She be-
lieved she had seen her son and she never knew
| the truth.
Old d Argival died not very long afterward.
Claude DArgival lived with his mistress for
few weeks and then she turned him out.
When last heard Of him he had sunk to the
lowest depths. He was assisting Anastasia to
| blackmail her admirers and she was keeping
him