Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1897-02-05
IN ALSACE.

Salome stood on the bridge which span
ned the foaming stream and gazed dream
lily at the mountains beyond and then at
the meadows Salomes cows were slowly
coming homeward. In the pasture she
could see her sister, Frederick, 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
carried it to their fathers outhouse 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 ex-
pcctcd him. Dominic was to teach him
forest ways.
81 thought it was Cousin Joseph" cried
Salomc, with a smile, and then Frederick
laughed. I'VE were expecting Cousin .Jo-
seph. You know he is shut up for weeks
in his factory Joseph cares less for the
grand forest and its wild beauty than he
docs for gardens and their flowers. -
Il do not admire his tastes, - answered
Morand.
Then homcward went the two girls, and
the man followed. and as they passed the
WINDOW Oh tnclr lluJlc mousse illcTb WIS lne
old mother, and Salomc kissed her. Fred
erika stood a little in the background
She now turned back and sought new
bundle of hay Then Morand ran after
Frederika and took her bundle and carried
it for her.
Then the father joined the three young
people Now Frederika, who was the
practical sister, went into the house to
prepare the evening meal.
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 new
er MIXED COW in his life. 81 have much
to learn, " muttered he, piteously.
"Supper is waiting" said Frederick.
AS they FASTENED on SalOmc noticed that
Morand had stuck in his buttonhole a
bunch of flowers. They were crocuses.
$50 you like crocuses, NJ. MorandY'
81 thought you did, Mile Salome,' he
said.
So, for time, Morand lived with the
forester The harvest was gathered and
there was a good stock of potatoes The
winter was coming along, and ii cold one,
but the family were prepared to face it.
Salomes mother required the girls con
slant attention.
Joseph came now on every Sunday. He
was ovcrsccr of the factory in the neigh
boring 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 Frederika. Then he felt
twingcs of jealousy. He was uncertain
whether Morand liked Salome or Frcdcr-
ika.
Besides thought Joseph, "hc will
soon get his nomination to he forester else
where. a few months patience / shall
speak to my uncle, and Frederika will not
say me nay
Morand watched Frcderika from morn
ing till night, engaged in her household
cares.
1.-The time will come, he said softly to
himself
One night the moon shOne in through
the frosty windows. Salomc 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"
Morand and Frederick were laughing
together-sOmctimes even her father toe
but Salome only sat and watched her
mother.
Take care my child, take care" the
mother fecbly murmurod, us the listless
hand dropped and over the beloved fea
lures came a solemn, terrible beauty. Sa
lone uttered Il sharp cry and lost con
seriousness.
When she came to herself, she was be
side the kitchen, MOrand alone sitting
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 10
seph came at once. 1t was bitter colo
day when the mother was buried in the
village graveyard. 1t was terrible worl
making their way through the deep snow
1t was Joseph who gave Frederika hi
hand and Morand supported Salome.
"Why why" Salome said to herself I
thousand times, did my poor mother biz
me take careY
Father Dominic seemed ito take now nj
interest in passing events His wife wa
dead
Then an unusual thing happened. Dom
inic wrote n letter, and Morand went t
the village to post it, In a week afterwar
Morand had letter and he read that h
had an appointment as forester in anothe
part Of the country-or, should he prefe
it, he might remain as DOminic's assist
ant.
Morand hesitated The old forester, VIII
had guessed the contents of the letter. ha
turned aside
Salome watched both with evident an
iety. Frederika, busy preparing Dime
was the only one who took no heed.
Morand met Salome's inquiring eye
II am appointed forester to place fair
well paid, but long way from here "
"a long way from here" repeated Il
old man Il begged that favor. wan
ed to keep you here, am not the man
once was My strength does pot con
back with the spring. l think she mu
have taken it away with her, all my cou
age and all my hope,
His daughters tried to comfort him, b