The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1898-12-01

her touch.
AS Marjorie came forward, Adele
looked up from the boys curly head
and asked, almost roughly:
Where is Caussidiere, did you say?''
i do not know" returned Marjorie
drawing the boy toward her; che did
not tell me.
He seems to tell you very little,
about himself, madame" said Adele.
liking her eyes strangely upon her
companions face; then she added
suddenly, why do you draw the boy
away from me?"
Marjorie did not answer. so. with q
short, hard laugh, the girl con-
tinued:
L suppose you think, madame, that
l am not fit to touch him? Well, per-
haps you are right"
Il did not mean that" returned Mar
jorie, gently.
IF kissed the little one, would you
be angry?' cried Adele, with a curious
change of manner. "Ah, madame. I
am bad enough, but not quite so bad
as you think me. / love little chill
dren. / once had little boy like
this of my own
"A little boy! Then you are mar
ried; you have a husband"
When my child was only a baby,
before he could walk or speak," con-
tinued Adele, not needing the ques-
ton. II lost him. / do not even
know If he is alive or dead"
And she lifted little Leon in her
arms, and kissed him wildly.
Marjorie's gentle heart was touched.
You lost your child?" she cried. full
of sympathy.
He was taken from me, madame. I
was too poor TO keep him, and one
night-one cold winter night-his
father placed him in the basket at the
Founding. I have never seen him
since-never!"
How wicked of you; how cruel! To
desert your child!""
You dc not understand. In France
1t is the custom when folk are poor"
Marjorie shrank from the woman in
horror. All her maternal heart was in
revolt, and with an impulsive gesture
she drew little Leon to her and en-
braced him tenderly.
Adele looked at the pair with a
strange expression of mingled sorrow
and pity.
And your husband, madame?" she
asked, suddenly. rs he good to
you?"
Yes. Why do you ask" says Mar
jorie, in surprise
Never mind returned Adele, with
her old laugh. For myself, | think
that all men are canaille. 1t is we
others, we women, who bear the bur-
den while the men amuse themselves,
Why does Caussidiere leave you so
much alone? Why does he dress so
well, and leave you and the little one
so shabby? All, he is like all the
rest!'
What my husband does" cried
Marjorie, Indignantly, is no concern
OF yours. l will not hear you say
word against him."
Adele laughed again.
You are only a child" she said.
moving to the door. will you give
Monsieur Caussidiere a message from
me?"
Yes, If you WISH
Tell him he is wanted tomorrow at
our place: he will understand"
She half opened the door,the turned
and looked back.
DO you know, madame, that in a few
days the Germans will be before
Paris?"
"Ah, yes!"
Let them hasten! I hope they will
come soon. l shall not be sorry for
one, If they burn Paris to the
ground"
why do you say THAR" cried Mar
jorie, shocked at the speakers tones
as well as the words.
Let them burn Paris, and me with
the rest Of the people; it will be WE'LL"
said Adele, in low voice, very bitter
ly. THE bonfire is ripe, madame!
But" she added, 81 should be sorry If
any harm came to you or to the child.
Some day, perhaps-who knows?-I
may be able to serve you. VIII you
remember that?"
What do you mean?" exclaimed
Marjorie. You are a strange woman;
you"
II am what I am: sometimes l think
/ am devil. not woman at all.
Good-by."
And without another word she dis