The Lambertville record. [volume] (Lambertville, N.J.) 1872-1968, 1897-07-14


forehead and closed eyes, rwhelmcd
him. He suffered again, after ten years,
as he suffered before. His eyes closed
and tears fell from beneath his lashes.
There was IL noise behind him. He
turned Cecile, who had followed him,
was standing there close to him. She
looked Mt him. She looked at the grave
Sho must have read the inscription, and
surely she had OWNED all He arose
trembling. He dared not say word to
his wife nor take her hand lie moved
aside, walked away from her and pass
ed out of the graveyard with the air of
n child that. being caught in some for
hidden act takes to flight
He walked long time-it muttcred
not where-across the fields not know
ing whittier he went, not having tho
courage to enter the village He feared
to meet Cecile. for, loving and jealous
as he knew her to be, she would be furi-
ous--or sad, which would be still worse.
Surely she knew now what he had so
long hidden from her She knew that
h. had loved a young girl--that he had
loved her tenderly, since he still wept
for her. Perhaps she would have par
doncd him this early lovc-this love
that ho had felt before he met her, but
she would never pardon the tears that
the old love revived No, she would
never forgive that lie thought of the
rcproaches the cruel words with which
she would shortly receive him. Vaiuly
he told himself that this youthful ten
derness had left in him only II languiSh.
ing remembrance. n very vague ono. re
vivcd by his return to the village aud
by the sight of the barren and nearly
forgotten grave. Was there the slightest
resemblance between this dream of "a
child, faded and vanished, and the man
ly reality of the ardent and imperish-
able passion which he felt for her, Go
oileI She jealous? Jealous of little
girl who bad died before her heart had
opened What folly 1t would be we'll
enough To say these things and many
others To Cecile. But she would never
listen To him. She would repeat with
sobs and tears, You have loved her, "
or else (and this would be much worse)
she would sit unmoved and lool, Mt him
coldly-silently
Nevertheless he could not remain all
day in the fields. lie must return to
the tavern where Cecile had already
gone.
He searched for the path and regain
ed it. He resolved To walk rapidly, but
as he approached the village he slack
encd his pace and ii took him over an
hour to get TO his lodgings and ten
minutes moro to mount the stairs. Be
fore tho door his heart beat strangely
At last he entered
Alasl What would she say, if she
deigned to speak at alp He awaited u
sad discourse or sadder silence.
But mol She spoke and very sweet
ly, with her soft voice.
"Ahl IT'S you, " she said, and. smil-
ing, She raised her forehead for kiss.
What She was not angry? She was
not sad? lie did not see That her eyes
were little red, rs though she had
been weeping, Perhaps, he thought, she
! did not read the name upon the stone.
Another surprise awaited him.
Upon the table, III great perfumed
DuUtnts, Nfit Illus anu WHO IbhtS
One would have said that they were for
fcte day, and that the florist had just
left them.
These flowers, Cccile?" no asked
hesitatingly.
"Whati" she said, and her voice grew
still swe,tcr Did you not STE that it
was all bare and SO gloomy--the little
grave III the cemetery? Here are some
flowers, Roger Take them to Denise "
"Ah. dear one, he said. falling up
on his knees. "how merciiul you are to
me and how kind to the poor little ono
who fell asleep 30 young. Yes, / will
carry the flowers to her. or rather We
will take them together "
But Ceeile said:
mo, mol Not that. " And she smiled
little sadly. " Ills the game with
children, It's the same with the dead
We arc all little jealous. Look you,
dear ole. Should | accompany you to
the graveyard Denise would be less
pleased to have flowers upon her tomb. "
From the French For Short Stories.