The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1899-01-06
In ALSACE.
BY ANTHONY HOPE.

SpduueQ Tile lOamlnS StTedIn, anu BdItu
dreamiiy at the mountains beyond, and
then at the meadows. Salome's cows
were slowly coming homeward. In
the pasture she could see her sister,
Frederika, making the hay. The girl
was not lazy, only dreamy. Presently
Saiome was by her sisters side. Then
each one took bundle of hay and car
rcd 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
Tor 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 TO
teach him forest ways.
81 thought it was Cousin Joseph,
cried Salome, with smile, and then
Frederick laughed. eve were expect
ing Cousin Joseph; you know ne 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"
II do not admire his tastes" an
swered Morand.
Then homeward went the two girls,
end the man followed, and as they
raised the window of their little house,
there was the old mother, and Salome
Kissed her. Frederika stood ii little in
hn background. She now turned back
and sought new bundle of hay. Then
Niorand ran after Frederick and took
her bundle and c: rried it for her.
Then the father joined the three
young people. Now Fret1erka, who
was the practical sister, wc.t 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 MIXED cow in his life. ~ have
much to learn" muttered he, piteously.
Supper is waiting" said Frederika.
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, M. 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 it. Salome's mother required
the girls constant attention.
Morand watched Frederika from
morning till night, engaged in her
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."
Morard and Frederika were laugh
ing together-sometimes even her IA
Their, 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
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. It was bitter
cold day when the mother was buried
in the village graveyard. 1t was terri
bic work, making their way through
,he deep snow. 1t was Joseph who
gave Frederika his hand, and Morand
supported Salome.
"Nhy. why" Salome said to herself
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 a letter, and Morand
went to the village to post it. In a
week afterward Morand had a 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
Frederick, busy preparing
ainner, was the only one who took no
heed.
Morand met Salome's inquiring eyes.
II am appointed forester to a place
fairly well paid, but long way from
here.'
"a long way from here" repeated the
old man. 81 begged that favor. I
wanted to keep you here; am not
the man once was; my strength does
not come back with the Spring; think
she must have taken it away with her,
all my courage and all my hope"
Ills 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 Frederika 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