Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-04-07

THE days were getting short now"
he continued. land what with the
prospect of winter before EN-. and the
diamond not half paid for, and the old
lady moanin' and cryin' to go back to
Paree. ma'm'selle began to lose heart
Twas seldom she sung note now.
but one day, just as the sun was about
to set, her voice came coating down to
me in song / shall never forget.
"'Madre d'amorl obi tu--il milo do
lori"
'Schuberts Prayer to the Virgin" I
said. smiling a little as the old man
stumbled through the words.
"The same" he assented, $50 MAIN
selle told me afterward. when she writ
down the words for me. All. sir, her
voice brought me to my knees; least
ways" he corrected. "that's the way
felt like doing.
"'Madre d'amori obi tu-il moi do
lori
MAIN selle's voice broke at the end,
as though she was sobbing, and young
man who had stopped on the pavement
to listen, reverently took Off his hat.
Heavenly | heard him say: then
cntching sight of me through the win
dow. he put 1t on again and entered the
shop.
"T'here was no beating about the
bush with that young man, and. some
how. I liked him for it.
"'Who is the singer he asked at
once.
"'Little French girl says I, named
Mile. Justine
Justine what?'
"Tafitte.'
"Lafitte.' he repeated. as though the
name seemed familiar to him somehow.
How old is she?'
"'About H. says I. making a rough
guess.
"The front door changed to just at
that minute. and a light footstep was
heard.
81 peeped out.
There she is now says I. Mile. JUS
tine, herself
Like shot he was out of the shop,
but in few minutes returned.
Exquisite he said. his voice trem-
bling a little. Her face is as exquisite
as her voice.
well. to make long story short"
broke off the cobbler. "that young man
had fallen desperately in love with
mn'm'sellc. but how TO make her ac-
quaintance was a problem that was
troubling him.
"'Ef you was only poor, now says
!. Won might get chance. but
THE Young man did not wait for me
to finish
"'I'll come tomorrow in my plainest
suit of clothes.' said he. Thank you,
Mr.. Devine. for solving the riddle. You
can send me up to do little repairing,
You know-a friend of yours, steady
fellow. looking for a job, and so forth
well. the plan worked. and bless
me. sir. If Edward Pendleton, rich and
well connected. didn't spend about half
his time looking at ma'm'selle, and
talking to the old man.
And so the days passed on; mann
sclle in spite Of her shabby dress and
skinny fare. growing roster and pref
tier every day.
1T was the night before Christmas.
and mossoo left his bench and sat ST.
lently down by Ned.
Presently mossoo.s thin white hand !
moved toward the pocket OF his worsted |
jacket; and then. as the lapel of a pocket |
flew up, Ned caught CLEAN of some
thing which brought him to his feet
with a cry.
"'What is it?' cried mossoo, scared |
out of his senses. My poor Ned. what
hast trou?'
"a diamondl' shouted Ned, grasp
ing the ofd worsted jacket. and tearing
a piece of il away. See. see. the jewel |
has been hidden within the lining of |
your jacket ell this time
"''Twas re will of Cod said the old |
little later All, some
times my heart was like to burst. To |
die thus-to leave my wife, my little
Justine. Who would care for themr
81. sir said the young man. your
SON.
"A little warm hand at that moment
crept into his own
"'Hast heard. dost know?' said the
old man.
~ know she answered, soft like.
a happy smile lighting up her face"
well" prompted, as he sat silent
for awhile. there is something more
to tell"
well. Mossco lit the lamp. and Ned
was about to ask him for his daughter,
when the old lady's voice was heard
from the corner.
land now says she. wen give II
all up and go back to France
1--we viii. ma mie.' said mossoo,
kneeling by her bedside We will no
longer strive for re eempossihle. Re
documents
Documents? said Ned.
al think have told you before said
mossoo. of re Marquis de LATTE. who
was martyred upon re scaffold with