The Monticellonian., 1895-06-21
'I never saw a little creatur, with

SOHiiIB oL u young queen to her king dom. She reigned all summer over every heart in Dulham-not a face but wore its smiles when French Mary came down the street, not a mother who did not say to her children that she wished they had such pretty man. ners and kept their frocl<s as neat
 The child danced and sang like fairy, and coudescended to all childish games, and yet, best of all for her friends, seemed to see no difference be- tween young and old. She sometimes followed Capt Weathers home and discreetly dined or took tea witch him and his housekeeper, an honored guest; on rainy days she might be found in the shoemaker's shop or the blacksmith's, watching them at their work; smiling much but speaking lite tie, and teaching as much French as she learned English. To this day, in Dulham, people laugh and repeat her strange foreign words and phrases Alexis, the father, was steady at his work of gardening and having; Marie, the elder, his wife, washed and ironed and sewed and swept, and was a helper ln many households; now and then on Sunday they set off early in the morn ing and walked to the manufacturing town whence they had come, to go to massi at the end of the summer. when they felt prosperous, they sometimes hired horse and wagon and drove there with the child between them. Dulham village was the brighter and better for their presence, and the few old-fashioned houses that knew them treasured them, and French Mary reigned over her kingdom with no re- volt or disaffection to the summers end. She seemed to fulfill all the du- ties of her childish life by some exquis- ite instinct and infallible sense of fit- ness and propriety.
 One September morning, after the first frost, the captain and his friends were sitting in the store with the door shut. The captain was the last conner.
 I've got bad news" he said, and they all turned toward him, appre- hensive and forewarned.
 Alexis says he's going right away" (regret was mingled with the joy of having piece of news to tell). ''Yes, , now, and has spoken for Fosters hay cart to move his stuff to the railroad"
 What makes him so foolish?' said Mir. Spooner
 "HIe says his folks expect him in Canada; he's got an aunt Twin there that owns good house and farm, and she's gittin' old and wants to have him settled at home to take care of her"
 I've heard these French folks only desire to get forehanded little. and then they go right back where they come from, said some one, with an air of disapproval.
 'He says he'll send another man here; he knows somebody that will be glad of the chance, but don't seem to like the idea so well,s said Capt. Weathers, deubtfully. We've all got so used to Alexis and his wife: they know now where We keep everything and have got to be so handy Strange they don't know when they re we'll off. l suppose it's natural they should want to be with their own folks Then there's the little girl :.
 At this moment the store door was opened and French Mary came in. She was dressed in her best and her eyes were shining.
 Il go to Canada in ze ears!" she an nounced ioyfully, and came dancing down between the two long counters toward her regretful friends; they had never seen her so charming
 Argument and regret were impos- sible-the forebodings of elderly men and their experience of life were of no use at that moment, gleam of youth and hope was theirs by sympathy in- stead. A child's pleasure in d journey moves the dullest heart; the captain was the first to find some means of ex- pression.
 Give me some O that best candy for her" he commanded the storekeeper No, take bigger piece of paper, and tie it up we'll"
 "Ain't she dressed little thin?" said grutf Mr. Spooner, anXiously, and for his part he pointed the storekeeper to small plaid shawl that hung over head and stopped to wrap it himself about the little shoulders
 ''i must get the little girl something, too" said the minister, who was a grandfather and had just come in for his mail. What do you like best my dear?" and French Mary pointed shyly, but with instant decision, at a blue | silk paraso1, with a white handle. | which was somewhat the worse for | having been openly displayed all sum mer. The minister bought it with | pleasure, like country boy at a fair, | and put it into her hand
 French Mary kissed the minister with rapture, and gave him her hand to shake, then she put down the )8ra- sol and ran and climbed into tlz old | captains lap and hugged him with both arms tight round his neck. She thought for moment whether she | should kiss Mir Ezra Spooner or not, but happily she did not decide against | it, and said an affectlonate good-bv to | him and all the rest. Mr. Staples himself came out from behind the counter to say farewell and bestow some raisins. They all followed her | to the door and stood watching while | she tucked her bundles under her arm and raised the new parasol and walked | away down the street in the chilly au- tumn morning. She had taken her French gayety and charm and all her | childish sweetness and dignity away | with her. Little French Mary had gone. Fate had plueked her like a flower out of their lives
 She did not turn back, but when