Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1896-12-26
"Thanks for your sympathy, my
sweet fricnl Gnnd nj0ht -

| Ihanks Tor your sympathy, my
sweet friend. Good night"
Until tomorrow, she cried.
He watched her out OF sight, then
stood for IL moment on the landing,
looking down, deep in thought. Whei
he raised his face it had recovered its
usual serenity, and wore II look o.
resolution which gave it new dig
nifty.
YES" he muttered, 81 will do it
she shall be happy. And as for me-
was formerly"
Daylight was waning when at last
Renee and Maurice turned their faces
homeward. Half way across The Pont
Neuf, Renee paused with regretfu
exclamation:
81 quite forgot Pere Joyeux!"
"Who is he?' her companion de-
manded.
''An old pensioner of mine; Grip
pied fiddler who always plays on the
bridge. There he is, on the othel
side. List US rruss over"
"Never mind now, Renee; it is get
ting dark, and beginning to snow
again. Give him something tO.mor.
row."
"But this ia New Years Day, and it
seems unkind to neglect him when I
am so happy. Look, he has seen me
he is looking so wistfully! Stay
here, ] shall not be II moment"
The road was slippery with fresh
fallen snow, and when half way across
the girls foot slipped. She made IL
vain effort to recover herself, and fell
just in the track of heavy vehicle
which came laundering along, drawn
by two powerful horses. The driver,
on his high perch, did not perceive
what had happened till the bystanders
uttered warming shout, which was
echoed Ivy cry of alarm from Mau.
rice, III he hurried to her assistance.
, Pere Joyoux, who had been watch
ing her movements, flung his violin
aside. and befole Maurice could reach
the spot, he had snatched her literally
from under the horses hoofs.
'What an escaped" Maurice gasped.
"Are you hurt, Reneo?'
"No, no; but where is Pere Joyeux
who has saved my life?' she asked,
anxiously looking around. Then
Renee saw the figure of her old friend
stretched insensible upon the asphalt.
Tho next moment policeman ap-
preached, and after few brief in
quiries, which Maurice answered, per.
emptorily dispersed the lookers.on,
and hailed passing carriage, giving
the order: 80 tho Hotel Dieu."
"Is he seriously hurt?" askt d
Renee, when she went to the hospital.
"He is dying" was the grave reply.
"You are surprised at the change in
his appearance?' the surgeon re-
marked in an undertone; 'he had
been wearing false board, and with.
out it he looks quite different man.
1t is possible that he"
els she there?' the patient asked
family.
81 mn NJ. Silvain to you," he said
when they were alone: "bnt vnnr
father knew me as Silvain Matthew.
''Wnat 1t was you whom my father
Wr0ngedY she faltered.
"Dear child, you have repaired the
wrong and lett me your debtor" he
gently replied. "You know what was
formerly my profession? l WAS a
dancing master; l met with al acci.
dent and became a cripple. had
little money. I lost it in specua-
tion. | had the natural instincts OF
the yagabond. became the street
musician. l am the Pere Joyenx. Do
not look distressed. 1t Was life just
suited to me. could be gentleman
at times-as NJ. Silvaln. had not as
many friends as Silvain as I had as lie
Pere Joyeux. loved you as daugh.
ter when You first put money in my
hand. But there is moro than that"
Renee kissed the hurt man.
He continued: "The false beard and
the wooden leg made all the difference
to somo-.but not to you. Yes, kiss
me again." and with the ghost of his
former gallant manner he raised
Renee's hand to mis- lips. Renee was
sobbing.
"Hush," he interrupted gently;
"what better fortune can l have than
to save your life and secure your hap.
piness9 Renee, you will find parcel
in my desk, directed to yourself. I
restore your gift, dear-as meant to
have done--if I had lived. There is
no obstacle now between you-and---
your lover. God bless you both. How
dark it grows-and cold! Do not be
sorry for me, dear--I am quite con-
TENT" he continued, with q tranquil
smile.
"Quite CONTENT" he repeated; and
with the smile on his lips he died.
On the afternoon of their wedding
day, before starting on their journey
into Normandy, Renee and Maurice
crossed the Point Neuf once more, to
pay last visit to Pere Joyeux's old
haunt.
81 am glad no one has taken his
place." Renee said softly, after mo.
ment; "it would seem almost like des.
ecration. fancy can still hear the
sound of his violiri"
Maurice looked down at her tender.
Iy.
"Yes," she concluded, with happy
smile: Sorrow endured for night,
but Joy has come with the moyning""
New York Times.
Arctic Owls in the Northwest.
Papers all over the Northwest are