The Delta independent., 1895-11-06
2 81 PATIENCE S1APL,ETON.S
coVxeAGN SsH7a 3N Se.Np7vAe0VI. 60. I
lTo ne Continued b, onr ne.rt i,sme.l

room, ana, luckily, nad some QuletlnS
medicine in his case. The sufferer
however, resisted long, as she slept
sighed, and one tiny hand felt around
nervously, while the other, clinchcd
hard in the sheet, resisted all pressure
to open it.
The next morning the white-haired
children We're very quiet; they played
a long way from the house, and to-
wards evening DIR. John kept them by
him in the kitchen, telling stories. To
this day the youngest one looks in vain
for a baby to come by train that shall
be his own property, an illusion crea-
ted by the doctors stories.
"She's asleep" said Mrs. Macon,
coming out, land here's little purse
I found in her pocket. l couldn't get
it before, for, loony as she's been all
day, she watched me II l went near
her things"
A shabby little purse, containing
only five-dollar bill and n card-Craig
divers, with his Office address.
81 didn't need this to tell me-" said
the doctor. ''She is married woman
all right, Mrs. Macon; her name is
Minny de Restaud, and her people are
well-to-do. How she came here 1
haven't the faintest idea; she disap-
peared last fall, and her aunt has
searched all over the country for her."
In the morning when the doctor
went to see his patient he found her
conscious, looking with ineffable dis
dain on the red-faced bundle beside
her.
You're the kind doctor who stayed
80 1,,,
said, family. You were ever so good;
but I'd much rather have just died.
She" with a weak glance at Mrs. Ma
COM told me about you"
Most women would be pleased with
that nice little baby"
"Would they?" indifferently. at has
black eyes, and is SO ugly. Besides, it
has no sense. My dog knew every
thing"
''Tlt! tut!" scolded the doctor; that
is not pretty talk"
"You act like my old maid aunt"
weren't your dogs eyes black, too,
Mrs. Minny2"
"How did you find my name?" she
cried. piteously. "And you can't call
me that: for some one l love dearly has
that name for me-"
You said it when out of your head"
said Doctor John, calmly. 'Now go to
sleep"
''But I've got lots OF things must
attend to about him." looking at the
baby curiously. You see, having him
makes me different. / feel / must do
things for him don't want to tell"
Tonight will do"
81 might die"
"You are not in the slightest dan
ger, nor is the boy; and, though you
have had your own way long time
possibly too long you must mind
now"
She obediently closed her eyes, and
in the late afternoon when DIR. John
returned greeted him with radiant
smile.
I'm quite sure I am going to die" :"
she said, happily, "and you don't know
how glad am. feel SO good and SEN
sible, know I can't live long. Now
want you to write out legally all about
the child and me, how came here. His
name is to be Francois-French for
Francis, you know-de Restaud, after
his grandfather, who is general in
France. His fathers name is Henri de
Restaud. My name, which is funny, is
Minerva Patten de Restaud, and my
old aunt, Hannah Patten.in Newcastle
Me-, has my marriage certificate and
all my other papers. She took them
away when she visited me up in the
valley of the Troublesome. She was
afraid my husband might take them
from me and say we were not married il
he wanted to go back to his people in
Paris. l never wanted to see any OF
them; one member Of the family wat
enough" with a ghost of n smile); "bu,
the baby has made me see things diff
ferently. The family are very rich, and
there is only one heir, Henri's older
brothers son. Henri said he was sick.
ly, his mothers family being consump
tive. That little baby may grow up a
man, and he would hate me because
had not looked after his interests. OF
course it will seem strange to people in
France that ! was here without any.
body, and that is why want you and
the Macons to witness a legal paper
telling all about it."
81 have half q mind to send to Denver
for n lawyer" said Or. John. "If the
little boys claims should ever be dis.
putcd-and they might, you know--it
would be best to have everything right
Besides, the French people are great
for documentary evidence, certificates
of birth and such things"
81 suppose you had better" she
sighed, lying back on her pillow, "but
hate any more people to know. I've
had such n long peaceful time, am
sorry to have to go back to quarrel.
ing"
Mrs. Minny, before you go to sleep
will tell you something, but you must
not ask a question, for You have talked
enough. know all about you. was
Craig divers guest last fall, and have
seen and talked to your Aunt Hannah;
SO you need not think me n stranger,
but an old friend eager to serve yor,. u
She caught his hand with her srail
little one and turned her face away
without speaking. He sat by her un-
til she slept, and he felt, US Oliver had