The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1899-01-19
An Anarchists Wife.
by 8. A. Smith.

ny - ~ SAAAoAAs
IIAVING secured clerkship in a
Paris factory at the enormous sal
airy of 1,400 francs year, Pierre Fon'
tame furnished two or three little
rooms in dwelling" of the gay city
and returned to his native home to
marry the girl he loved. A prettier we'd
ding that far-off Brittany village had
never witnessed. Babette-the 1S-year'
old blushing, happy bride--looked SO
winsome and charming as she walked
from the church, leaning on her hus-
bands arm, gazing so lovingly and
trustingly in his face, that all the old
married folk declared it was the livery
sweetest" wedding that had ever taken
place-since their own!-and many a
prayer for the youthful couples ha ppi-
ness was silently breathed as they set
off for their new home in the beautiful
capital.
For time they were as happy as the
day was long. Babette was the idol OF
the maison; all the inmates loved her
She was such light-hearted and gay
little creature, singing from exubecance
of happiness all the livelong day, SO
devoted to her tall, handsome husband
and the fat, chubby little Paul, who ar.
rived about year after the marriage
and did nothing but bubble and crow
with delight all his waking hours, that
her spirit infected the whole house, and
It was impossible to do otherwise than
smile and be happy when Babette and
her baby were near.
"Really, don't know what we should
do without her now!" the concierge
would exclaim to the other dodgers
"She is the sunshine of the whole house
May the Holy Mother bless her and her
babel"
But after awhile clouds doomed on
the horizon of Babette's happy life.
Pierre frequently left her alone for
many hours in the evenings, pleading
that he had to attend meetings of the
factory workmen. And occasionally
notes and pieces of paper, with strange
looking marks and words on them were
left for him, when he would leave his
wife Immediately the evening meal was
finished. These filled Babette's heart
with misgivings and forebodings.
why should all these secret mes
sages be left for Pierre? Why does he
leave me for so many hours and come
back so late whenever they arrive? It
is very mysterious, isn't it, my treas
ure?' she said one day. speaking to her
baby boy, as she always did whenever
anything perplexed her. Baby was her
oracle. She turned to him for consola-
ton and advice at every little difficulty
and translated his answer-which was
Invariably the same-to suit the frame
OF mind she happened to be in. 1--WE
must ask father what is the meaning of
it all when he comes home TONIGHT:
mustn't we, baby?" she continued.
"Gurgle-urgle! Goo! goo! Baa!" was
Daby's reply, which the little woman in
1erpreted as meaning that father must
certainly be asked without delay.
1t was very late-past midnight
when Pierre returned, looking very
shamefaced as he crept softly into the
room.
pierre, my love-" Babette gently be-
gan, pierre, how late you are! How
long the evening has been without you!
oh, my heart has ached so; why must
you leave me alone so much? You used
to be happy and contented in staying
with me before you had those horrid
meetings to attend. They are not mere
ly makeup, blind, are they? You
are not getting tired of your Babette
and Paul, and making the meetings an
excuse for going out with bad COM
panions or some dreadful woman, are
you? Oh, tell me why you leave me so
much, and what the many mysterious
notes you get are about. Pierre, nv
husband, don't break your Babette's
heart; she is so miserable!" and weep
ing she threw her arms round his neck
and laid her head on his breast.
"Babette! you foolish little grill" he
cried, fondly stroking her glossy, gold
en- hair. "How can you doubt my love
You know that to me there is only one
girl in the whole world, and you are
that one, my precious wife. have been
cruel and neglectful to you, and your
doubts are just ones, but am still true
and love you alone, Babette. Sit down
with me and listen. The workmen's
meetings are no excuse for me to leave
you, as you fear. Most Of the men at
our factory are members of The Sons
of Freedom league I, too, belong to
1t, and the notes which you think 50
mysterious are simply to summon me
to special meetings, which are held oc-
casionally. I must attend them, and
that IL why I have to leave you so often
and stay late, for there is much writing
to be DONE"
Must you go every time? Why don't
you give it up and cease to be mem
ber?" Babette asked.
"You innocent child; how little you
know about such things. OF course. I