Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1897-03-04
IN ALSACE.
Ey ANTHONY HOPE.

spuuncu the iouililiS sUealn. unu gaZeSl
dreamily u, the mountains beyond, and
then at the meadows. Salome's 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 car
ried 1t 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 10
teach him forest ways.
II thought it was Cousin Joseph"
cried Salome, with "a smile. and then
Frederick laughed. I'VE 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 lie does for gardens
and their flowers"
II do not admire his tastes" an.
swered Morand.
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
Morand ran after Fredcrika and took
her bundle and carried it for her.
Then the father joined the three
young people. Now Frederka, who
was the practical sister, went into the
house TO prepare the evening meal.
Come along, Morand," said the old
forester; 1.-THE soup will get cold, and
we must milk IT, cows before we.
60 in"
Morand looked in despair; he had
never MIXED COW in his life. II have
much to learn" muttered he, piteously.
Supper is waiting" said Frederick.
As they fastened on. Salome noticed
that Morand had stuck in his button
hole a bunch Of flowers. They were
crocuses.
$50 you like crocuses, NJ. Morand?"
II thought you did, Mile. Salome,"
he said.
So, for time, Morand lived with the
forester. The harvest was gathered
and there was good stock Of potatoes.
The winter was coming along, and
cold one. but the family were prepared
to face IL. Salome's mother required
the girls constant attention.
Morand watched Frederick from
morning 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. Salome sat at the
foot of the bed. watching her sleeping
mother.
"Shc looks less pale than yesterday"
thought Salome. perhaps father is
right; she will revive in the spring"
Morard and Frederika were laugh
ing torether-sometimes even her ia
thcr, 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 a solemn, terrible beau
ly Salome uttered shary cry and lost |
When she came to herself she was |
beside the kitchen, Morand alone sit
ing neor her.
"Thank God my child, your mother
vas not alone when she died!" she
leard her father say.
Morand at once found the means Of
ending the sad news to Joseph, and
Joseph came at once. II was bitter
old day when the mother was buried
n the village graveyard. II was terri
lie work. making their way through
he deep snow. II was Joseph who
ave Frederika his hand, and Morand
Salome.
"Why, why" Salome said to herself
thousand times, did my poor mother
i'd me take careT"
Father Dominic seemed TO take now
o interest in passing events. His wife
'as dead.
Then an unusual thing happened.
dominic wrote a letter, and Morand
'ent to the village to post it. In u
eek afterward Morand had letter,
nd he read that he had an appoint
rent as forester in another part Of the
ountry-or, should he prefer It, he
light remain ms Dominic's assistant.
Morand hesitated. The old forester,
no had guessed the contents Of the
tier, had turned aside.
Salome watched both with evident
nxiety. Frederika, busy preparing
inner, was the only one who took no
aed.
Morand met Salome's inquiring eyes.
am appointed forester to place
irly well paid, but long way from
ere" q
"A long way from acre, repeated the
d man. 81 begged that favor. | {
anted to keep you here; | am not
e man once was; my strength does
IT come back with the spring; I think (