Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1897-01-28
IN ALSACE.
By ANTHONY HoPE

- ~S~-~A4ALtS GAACdAAA. anu kdLG0
dreamily at the mountains beyond, aud
then at the meadows. Salome's cows
We're slowly coming homeward. In
the pasture she could see her sister.
Frederika, making the hay. The girl
was not lazy, only dreamy. Presently
Salome was by her SISTERS side. Then
each one took bundle of hay and car
ried it to their fathers clubhouse, for
old Dominic was the forester.
The girls worked on, when Salome's
bundle of hay was seized and carried
for her. The girl turned surprised, and
there was Morand, the young forester.
She knew he had come, for her father
had expected him. Dominic was TO
teach him forest ways.
81 thought it was Cousin Joseph
cried Salome, with a smile, and then
Frederika laughed. eve were expect
ing Cousin Joseph; you know he is shut
up for weeks in his factory. joseph
cares less for the grand forest and it's
wild beauty than he does for gardens
and their flowers"
Then homeward went the two girls,
end the man followed, and as they
passed the window of their little house,
there was the old mother, and Salome
kissed her. Frederika stood little in
the background. She now turned back
and sought new bundle of hay. Then
lIorand ran after Frederick and took
her bundle and carried it for her.
Then the father joined the three
young people. Now Frederick, who
was the practical sister, went into the
lrr1ea 10 r1,aa1
"Come along, Morand," said the old
forester; 'the soup will get cold, and
we must milk the COWS before we
go in
Morand looked in despair; he had
never MIXED a cow in his life. 81 have
much to learn" muttered he, piteousIy.
Supper is waiting" said Frederika.
AS they FASTENED on, Salome noticed
that Morand had stuck in his button
hole bunch of flowers. They were
crocuses.
$50 you like crocuses. NJ. Morand"''
''I thought you did, Mile. Salome,"
he said.
So, for a time, Morand lived with the
forester. The harvest was gathered
and there was good stock of potatoes.
The winter was coming along, and a
cold one, but the family were prepared
to face it. Salome's mother required
the girls constant attention.
Joseph came now on every Sunday.
He was overseer of the factory in the
neighboring little town. Everybody
respected Joseph. The young man
was the support of his family. Perhaps
his visits TO his cousins were not as
pleasant as before. The fact was,
though no one knew it, he was in love
with Frederick. Then he felt twinges
of jealousy. He was uncertain wheth-
er Morand liked Salome or Frederika.
Besides" thought Joseph, she will
soon get his nomination to be forester
elsewhere. A few months patience
i shall speak to my uncle, and Fred
erika will not say Inc nay"
Morand watched Frederilla from
morning till night, engaged in her
household cares.
THE time will come" he said, softly,
to himself.
One night the moon shone in through
the frosty windows. Salome sat at the
foot of the bed, watching her sleeping
mother.
"She looks less pale than yesterday"
thought Salome. Perhaps father is
right; she will revive in the spring"
Morard and Frederika were laugh
ing together-somettm even her ia
Their, too-but Salome only sat and
watched her mother.
Take care, my child, take care" the
mother feebly murmured, as the list
less hand dropped, and over the beloved
features came solemn, terrible beau
ty. Salome uttered shary cry and lost
consciousness.
When she came to herself she was
beside the kitchen, Morand alone sit
ting near her.
Thank God, my child, your mother
was not alone when she died!" she
heard her father say.
Morand at once found the means of
sending the sad news to Joseph, and
Joseph came at once. 1t was bitter
cold day when the mother was buried
in the village graveyard. 1t was terri
BILE work, making their way through
The deep snow. 1t was Joseph who
gave Frederick his hand, and Morand
supported Salome.
why, why" Salome said to herself
q thousand times, did my poor mother
bid me take care?'"
Father Dominic seemed to take now
TO interest in passing events. His wife
was dead.
Then an unusual thing happened.
Dominic wrote letter, and Morand
went to the village to post it. In n
week after>vard Morand had a letter,
and he read that he had an appoint
ment as forester in another part of the
country-or, should he prefer it, he
might remain as Dominic's assistant.
Morand hesitated. The old forester,
who had guessed the contents of the
letter, had turned aside.
Salome watched both with evident
anxiety. Frederick, busy preparing
dinner, was the only one who took no
heed
Morand met Salome's inquiring eyes.
"I am appointed forester to place
fairly well paid, but long way from
here"
"a long way from here, repeated the
old man. ct. begged that favor. I
wanted to keep you here; l am not
the man once was; my strength does
not come back with the spring; think
she must have taken it away with her,
all my courage and all my hope"
His daughters tried to comfort him,
but he shook his head without reply
ing. Morand precipitately escaped
from the room.
When the young man came back his
ys:-,a- hal bean laid for him, only