The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1899-09-02

distance grew greater and / grew quieter
After some time found myself among
these pres sales, and the stiffness Of the
wide land soothed me. / went on and
came to the hut that Lefebvre, the stone
breaker, had built. He was not there. So
went in. lit q fire on the hearth and
sat beside II. Perhaps fell asleep When
awoke, Lsfebvre had come back, and no
sat at the table eating his bread and on
ions. He was very old and bent, but he
looked kind He lifted his head when I
spoke.
"'Will you give me something to eats'
I asked.
"He trust tho broad out. Help your
self, madame. II is yours II you WILL
So took a share, and from that day until
he died, two years later, shared with him
all ho had. He never troubled me nor I
him, and when he was gone staid on in
his hut. could find food. What else did
needP There was no one to care what I
looked like or what did, and I took care
that no ono should come near me II /
. could help II.
"When Paul died, knew 1t, though no
one came to tell, and his grave has been
kept green, not by her care, but by mine
Some day perhaps he might have said he
was sorry, but he died So 1t Ia too late.
Why should care for kindness from his
wife or children9 want none Of them."
Her voice was harsh, rauque, as they
say, when she finished, and the women
looked at her with compassion. So it was
a sorrowful end to come to.
They essayed to mako suggestions Of
comfort.
"Bahr' she answered impatiently, "talk
not 80. You think I was wrong; she
thinks aSwrong; Paul. yes, even Paul,
thought me wicked. Perhaps I was, but
the Mother Of Sorrows knows me better.
Have not lived out my purgatory heref
What more can be asked of mep I say
what is there yet that can dor" The
harsh voice rose to almost o shrek and
her frame shook.
The younger of tho two women came
and laid gentle hand ON her shrunken
shoulder.
"Pauvre grandmere, you have indeed
tant souffcrt," she said softly "Yet there
is one thing more the saints would have
you do, and that is to say to Felioie that
you are Sorry. She is good. She would
come many kilometers to hear such q
word from you."
"Dame! Do you think I don't believe
it9 And is it likely should ever say such
wordsp Allez-vous en-, both of you. Why
did tell9 Twill never speak again."
In high wrath, shaking with the force
Of passion, the grotesque figure hobbled
away, leaving tho two to gaze sorrowfully
after her. Then they wended their way
back to Ploumazeldec.
A month lator two omen again crossed
the landes in tho direction of Lefebvrc's
hut. This time they carried baskets filled,
not with samphire, but with comforts to
cheer the lonely outcast. Snow covered
the landcs, a cold wind swept over the de-
serted space, the sheep were gone, the last
flock having been fetched away only yes
terday by Yves Kester from him they had
learned that Grandmere Bonnet was no.
where to be seen.
They came to the hut at last almost
buried as it was in snow. They stove in
the door-all was dark, cbeerless and cold
"Grandmere, es tn LAP" they called.
A faint murmur came from dark heap
In the corner Clotilde struck the match
she had brought and lit u rushlight. By
its flicker they saw the dark heap was
really the old woman, and her eyes caught
the CLEAN of the candle. She appeared to
recognize their faces and made an effort
to gather her scattered senses.
II am trying to die; why don't you
leave mo alone9" she groaned
The other woman-not Clotilde-came
forward. because you cannot, you dare
not die with hate in your heart" she said
In a clear, brave voice. "Grandmere,
grandmere, Paul could not die until he
had said he was sorryl And far away In
Tonkin your Amodee was sorry, too, SO
sorry that he wept when no thought of you!
Can you, too, not forgive"
The old woman's gaze grew more pierre
ing as she searched the speakers face
keenly. With sudden strength she raised
herself on her elbow. "Say that again
say every world"
Felicio repeated her plea. The listener
fell back, her eyes closed paul was
sorry, Amedee too-Paul and Amedee-
perhaps they will speak to me again; and
am going long way. to tell them that
am sorry; they will hear9 Yes? Only I
cannot call, SO tired am II"
Felicie laid cool, gentle hand on the
fevered head.
"Peace,' sho said softly. eco thou
where thore is peace for all--no moro be-
tired, no sorrow, no crying"
Once more grandmere opened her eyes.
at is not the pres sales, this green, rich
All, but 1t is good" she breath
cd. And the worn franc relaxed as the |
soul vanished and peace set its seal on |
closed eyes and lips.
Some days later little cortege wound
lis way across the snow covered landes.
Pauls children had come to fetch his
mother back to her home-a home from
which no human hand would dislodge her
again. New York Times