Democratic Northwest and Henry County news. [volume] (Napoleon, O. [Ohio]) 1894-1905, 1894-05-10

gn1s on the raoourgs, dresseu IN my
long white blouse and thy linen cap
set jauntily on thy blonde eurls. When
thou hast one less ear, or a SCARED
cheek, thou wilt lot fondle the girls
any longer. Does thou hear that,
scoundrel?"
In the fever OF rage and vengeance
which possessed her, Nellie felt the
necessity of walking, of motion. She
left her post of observation and took a
few steps out on the sidewalk.
All at once, beside her, a mans
voice murmured sadly:
"Good evening, Mile Nellie"
Rousing herself from her revery
with start, she recognized her neigh
Dor, Pere Nictor, mechanic, carry
ing his little girl, who was asleep on
his shoulder. He was a good man,
hard worker, who never drank and
who was without vice. His mistake
had been, in marrying too late in life,
woman too young for him, CO.
quette, who had abandoned him In or
der to see life. This sorrow had left
him at forty, white-haired man. he
was already called Father Victor and
with reason, for he lived but for his
child, and everyone esteemed and pit
led him.
This meeting at such moment
frightened Nellie. They both had the
same unhappiness, however, she and
this poor man.
Father Victor, ignoring the gossips
of the house. did not know that
Nellie had taken lover. Indeed, no
matter how late he went to bed at
might, he always heard the "tic, tic,
tic," of the sewing machine, and his
heart was filed with kindly considera-
tions for this industrious girl.
"Ahl Mam'zelle Nellie, you are do
ing as we are. A little walk before
sleep? As to Georgette," he said,
gazing lovingly on the sleeping child.
l''she has already commenced by taking
Ia little installmeut."
And with loving gesture, he bent
his head to the child's forehead and
softly kissed the blonde curls, which
were spread over his ime-stained
blouse.
Nellie felt new sensation stir with
in her. Was she not soon to be a
mother? Indeed, was she not one al
ready?
"How you do love your Georgette?"
Il have but her, as you know full
WELL" replied the workman, "but all
the same, little girl to raise, is not
an easy thing for man to do, but I
have learned my trade of mamma"
Face to face with this good father,
this honest man SO unhappy and yet SO
patient, Nellie felt her whole nature
softening. Yes, to resign herself to
work and live for the child, who was
to be born to her. She could and she
would. But during this time, this
scamp Of an Anatole! All, no! she
could not! Still holding the can of
vitriol hidden under her shawl, she de-
manded suddenly and in husky
voice:
"Truly, Father Victor, you have had
$50 much sorrow. Have you never
Thought of vengeance?"
He looked at her in astonishment.
mo, never! had another idea, a
bad one also, but 1 conquered it. Do
lpou know, Mam'zelle. there are some
people who, when they are wronged,
think but of killing, or injuring one
who has harmed them. 1, when my
my wife fed, thought but of dying.
But that was not possible on account
of the little one. And today she con-
soles me for everything.
This time Nellie felt her heart and
her eyes fill with tears. All, handsome
Anatole, he who was still opposite, at
the Cafe du Progress, could TRANQUILITY
count his score and finish his game.
She, the abandoned one, would never
revenge herself. Now she was ashamed
of her awful desire and of that horrible
thing which she was hiding under her
shawl.
Il am going in now, 'said Father
Victor, as he settled the little one
more comfortably on his shoulder. with
the gesture of mother or nurse.
"She is getting heavy. My little
Georgette is almost four years old. Au
revoir, Nam 'zelle."
mo, no, my way lies with yours,
quickly replied Nellie. ''Go ahead.
will follow you. Just a second to buy
a candle at the grocer's.
Nellie disappeared for moment into
the deserted street and threw the car
from her with gesture of disgust
then joing the old workman and hold
ing her innocent and delivered hands
already trembling with maternal in
stinct, toward him. she said:
Father Victor, you must be t1re(
carrying that great heavy girl SO long
Let me have the little one for awhile.
FRANCOIS COPPER.