The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1897-06-18
IN ALSACE.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.

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 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 expected him. Dominic was 10
teach him forest ways.
II thought it was Cousin Joseph"
cried Salome, with smile, and then
Frederika laughed. "We were expect
ing Cousin Joseph; you know he is shut
up for weeks in his factory. Joseph
cares less for the grand forest and its
wild beauty than he does for gardens
and their flowers"
81 do not admire his tastes" an
swered Morand.
Then homeward went the two girls,
and the man followed, and as they
passed the window of their little house,
there was the old mother, and Salome
kissed her. Frederika 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
never milked COW in his life. 81 have
much to learn," muttered he, piteously.
Supper is waiting" said Frederilla.
AS they fastened on, Salome noticed
that Morand had stuck in his button
hole bunch of flowers. They were
crocuses.
$50 you like crocuses, M. Morand? ~
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 q
| cold one, but the family were prepared
to face it. Salome's mother required
| the girls constant attention.
Morand watched Frederika 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"
Morand and Frederika were laugh
! ing together-sometimes even her IA
ther, 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 Frcderika his hand, and Morand
supported Salome.
"Nhy, why" Salome said to herself
a thousand times, did my poor mother
bid me take care%"
Father Dominic seemed to take now
no interest in passing events. His wife
was dead.
Then an unusual thing happened
| Dominic wrote q letter, and Morand
went to the village to post it. In a
week afteIward Morand had 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. Frederila, busy preparing
dinner, was the only one who took NO
heed.
Morand met Salome's inquiring eyes
II am appointed forester to place
fairly well paid, but long way from
here"
"a long way from here" repeated the
old man. 81 begged that favor.
wanted to keep you here; am not
the man I once was; my strength does
not come back with the spring; l think
she must have taken it away with her
Gil 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
dinner had been laid for him only
But Frcderika had taken care that all
should be quite comfortable for him
even more so than usual; and she was
in the kitchen alone. Morand seized
her hands.
"If go to that far-off place, will you
go with me?"
wherever you like" said she, sim
ply.
Shehad hitherto been too busy to think