The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-07-26
PARDONED.

where Tony ltobcc had occupied n room
for two quartCrs-hClieved him widowCf
and recent one, since his little boy, with
whom he lived alone-this little boy as
well cared for as by a mothcr-was hardly
6 years old. still neither father nor son
wore Grape on their hats or sleeves. Early
each morning Tony Ruhcc. who worked
as composition in u printing Office i'm the
Latin Quarter, went off with little Adrian
still drowsy and sleepy on his shoulder
and left him at school in the neighbor-
hood. He called for him when his days
work was over, and holding the little man
by the hand visited the butcher and tho
baker and carrying homo in the child's
basket the supplies for their humble din.
ner they were invisible till the next day.
The gossips with their compassionate
hearts, pitied the poor fathcr--who was
not more than 40 and still handsome
man with his black beard strCakcd with
silver, and eyes like lions in rerose-
and they whispered behind his back
That man should marry aEain--such q
good fellow, never tipsy. He could easily
find some good girl who would take care
of him and his baby. Have you noticed
how carefully the little man isattcnded tos
Not rent or u spot One can see at
once that he is an orderly man, and he
/ earns 10 francs n day" They wished to
/ make his acquaintance. Ordinarily this
! is not II difficult matter in these crowded
houses. whore the doors are often open.
| But Tony had a reserved air, polite way
of greeting people on the stairway that
rather intimidated them.
Every Sunday father and son, as neat
as two sous, went out for n walk. They
could he seen in the museums in the jar
] az Il,
little cafe at dinner time, where Tony per-
| mitted himself the only dcbauch of the
week and drank n glass of absinth slowly
in little sips, while Adrian, seated beside
him ON the leather bench, looked at the il.
Illustrated papers. "No ladies, said the
concierge, who was sentimental, "that
! widower wilt never marry again.
1--WE met him the other Sunday in ono of
the paths of the cemetery at Mont Par
Vase. No doubt his wife is buried there.
| 1t was sad to see him with his little orphan
beside him. He must have adorcd his wife.
They are ely as constant as that He is
inconsolable " Alas, yes! Tony Ruhec
had adoreds his wife, and could not be CON
solCd for her loss, but he was not widow
er. His life had been very simple and
a very sad oue.
He had been workman Of only or.ti
nary ability, and because he had begun
| rather late in life to make more than d
bare living lie had not thought Of marriage
till he was about 80. He should have
chosen n sensible girl who, like himself
had experienced the miscrics of life. But
love is not reasonable, and Tony lost his
heart to the pretty, vain little flower maker
of 10, still innocent, 10 dOuhG, but very
frivolous, ard who thought only of dress
and could Dttirp lprsp1f lil-n 81 t,yiDcCCa :,
four rags.
He had saved q little toward the modest
menago, and they had bureau with long
mirror-bought at the Faubourg ST. An.
tome for 24 francs-WherC the wife could
see herself ION head to feet. He married
his Clemontine and at first all was delight
full. How they loved each other! They had
two rooms on the fifth floor III the boule.
ward, with % balcony and view of all
Paris Every evening on leaving his shop
on the left branch Tony Rohec, whose
overcoat COY cred his working clothes and
gave him quite the air Of n gentleman,
would wait AT the corner of the bridge for
his little wife, who was coming back from
her shop in the Rue st. Honore.
Walking close together, arm in arm,
they soon reached their distant lodging
and prepared gayly their humble supper.
But the Sundays! They We're simply OK
quisite. They were so happy at homo they
never went out. Oh, the dainty summer
breakfasts with windows open, through
Which they saw the city spread below and
the blue sky above While he slipped his
coffee and sIuoked his cigarettes, Clemen-
tine watercd the flower boxes in the bal
cony. She was too sweet-he must surprise
her with kiss on her white neck.
Then came their little Felix, who must
be sent TO Margency to nurse, and who
died in year. They were soon consoled
by the birth of Adrian, and the mother
must nurse him. She left the shop taking
home her work. She earned much less,
but she dressed herself like lady and
went to the Luxembourg, pushing her
baby before in Il wicker carriage
And Tony had to work day and night
to keep the pot boiling, and even then
things went badly. They got in debt. The
child grew, was weaned and sent to the
day nursery, and the mother, of en idle,
always coquette, begah to have danger
Gus adventures Can you not see the whole
tragedy The poor man, worn with toll,
aged before his time, and this frivolous
2O-year-old with the pretty Greuze headt
One evening, coming home with his boy,
. whom he had called for at the nursery on
mo Nugi Iplly lNbIJNb q ltlltT vi HIS
mantelpiecc, and when he opened it Glenn
entine's wedding ring fell out. In the
letter the wicked girl babe him and their
boy farewell and begged them to forgive
her.
Oh romantic jury, who thirst for blood,
and who always acquit the injured hus-
= band who kills his wife and her lover you
will find poor Tony very ridiculous and
even little culpable, for he had more sor.
row than anger in his heart! He wept bit
terly, and when Adrian said TO him
Where is mamma? VIII she come bacl;
| soonE' he embraced the child tenderly
and answered, Il do not know" Clemen,
tine fled in early May. Oh, how hateful
is the odOr o; lilacs sometincsl
When July came, Tony sold his small
SURE no WIN.