The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-20

oid--oid? Where there are ashes there
must have been fire once. Besides. You
men write many names in your hearts
while It is true we women bear but one
to the end. old Jean Is a man after
all"
II had forgotten him completely
Gervalse said there was no word con.
corning him this noon from any OF you
when asked for the home news, and
you mentioned all the others. thought
he was dead years since, he was always
so old ana feeble when l went away.
"'Tis the creaking door hangs longest,
as every one knows. We had almost
forgotten him, too. and the good Gcd
likewise. Il seemed. Always in his attic
he stayed from year to year. making so
little nolsa that one scarcely remember
ed he was there. He was so still, like
the mere shadow Of man. And there
was no one belonging to him, no. not
one. Well, he's going soon A few
days now after waiting all this time will
not seem long"
1T is not long anyway" Geryaise In
terrupted softly.
Pere Duval laughed.
Because thou art young and in love
with life thou sayst that. Well we'll,
short or long. it's done with sometime,
thank God. Go on with the tale, lad"
But GervaIse, 1t seemed, had lost ati
interest In his adventures and the adOr-
alton they evoked about him. It was
as II a chill hand had gripped him. clos
Ing about his heart. The brightness Of
his home coming was married by this
omen. He crossed himself hurriedly.
Another time. another time. am
tired now and indeed It is the turn OF
some one else. Tell us instead OF old
Jean, II there be aught to tell. When
was a boy used to jeer at him as he
sat in the sun, but he had no re-
proaches. perhaps he did not hsed-I
know not"
| ut was all one to him. the boys all
ways Knocked him. 1 did myself. and
am Of thy fathers day. Well, what
would you? He was good for naught
with the mind OF child, despite what
the woman has said. He plated a few
baskets and dreamed dreams. that's all.
Long as his life has been. It's but dot
upon the page OF God-there is no re-
| cord. He lived apart from all OF us, and
| he had no kith nor kin"
But who was veuve Capst?" Marie
Picquard Interrupted. He was talking
of her when I came away. tell you
had to come, was so dog-urel. and
there was. indeed, no reason to remain
longer. In the morning early shall go
again AMI Ursule will look in during
the day II he lasts so long. In the
meantime he wants nothing and he does
not know one; 1t is all OF that other he
talks. Tiers, he says. I must gather
the primroses for Veuve Capet.'
Pere Dual, his slow wits kindlIng at
last. strucN the floor impatiently with
his stick.
"Will the woman never leave on?f he
cried, chatter chatter. chatter SO that
a man may not even think. Like the
noise of the sea yonder is that voice OF
thine. Marie PIquard. never ceasing,
never resting! Twas on my tongue 20
tell you concerning this person OF whom
| lie speaks there was some story. Well.
it's gone. and yet he told me word for
word when was youth"
"oId Jean-a story? Nay It's like
Her that the sea will become dry land
before morning than that that could be
Thou art dreaming"
But it is so, swear. Wait, let me
think have not thought Of 1t for
years. All! 1t comes back. it comes
back. It was in the spring-time OF the
year that was sixteen. not yet u man.
but with a mans thoughts in my
breast. and was coming home from
my uncie's. he lived in the next viii
lage; thou'n remsmber. Michel, he died
| in the Black Ptague-God rest his soul!
My way Lay through a strip OF wood
land, and there saw old jeanne went
by that name even then, he was so bent
and white-slttiug on log. ! was for
passing without speaEing-Id outgrown
the time Of jeerlng at hlm-when he
| called to me and babe me tarry. 1t
was an unusual thing FOR him TO do.
he scarcely ever had word for a soul;
but suspect tina, something in the
sof, air. which opens ali mems hearts,
made him long FOR companionship. So
I sat down by him. clad enough to rest.
and spoke or the springs coming