The Atlanta constitution., 1900-11-19

mould to be i'm such position: and fol-
lowing swiftly upon this unselhsh
thought came another, less admirable.
but quite natural, too-so natural i'm fact.
and SO human. that RaOul, for many
years unused to anything of the kind,
was confOunded.
".Take what you can get" was suggest
ed 10 him: mot much comes in your way
Here is something beautiful that you
may look at as much as you Will; young
bright companionship that you may en-
joy: a sweet. innocent nature that you
may admire. This is unexpected good
luck for you: make the most of it,.
For moment he felt quite aeitated. but
being accustomed to control himself. be-
trayed the fact by no sign. and presently
repeated his question in gentle tones.
Il think said Molly. considering d
little, 81 can manage this better by my
self: but if you would like to do some
wedding, that would be "a very good
thing"
Raoul promptly went down on his
knees. and began to pull up handfu!s of
groundsel. Molly continued her hammer
ing: ana OursOn, after a pause of aston
ishment. endeavoured to do little gar
denfnG on his own account. first scratch
ing Il huge hole in the border and then
lying down in the middle of the lilies.
After time one portion of her task
was finished. and. jumping to the ground.
she prepared to move her ladder a little
further on: but Raoul rose. and shoulder
ed it before she cOu.d do so.
Surely" he said smiling ''you have
done enough for one day. You should
rest now"
Il Will rest just n little. and then
must so on again. There is such a lot to
io-it will take long. long time to make
even one border tidy
Raoul put down his ladder. and follow
ed Molly To her facorite seat under the
tree. What does ii matter after alp
ne said bitterly. The garden is only in
Keeping with the rest of the place
But it can be improved" said the girl
energetiCally. There iS no reason whT
it shouldn't he. Youu see how much
nicer it will be when I've done with ii.
Really, YOU are very good" remarked
NJ. de SaHvisny. gazing at her curiously.
Il don't know why you should take 50
much trouble
PERHAPS / am too officious." she re-
turned. her sensitiveness quick to take
alarm: but the fact is. can't bear TO
see anything going wrong that 1 can set
right"
VI. de Sauvigny smiled: in all ncon-
sciCusness Mol,y's little speech drew at
tentioD to her most salient characteristic
1t was her heipfuness which was moe
noticeable in her than all else.
"One can but do ones best, she said.
mistaking the meaning of Raours smile.
There is some satisfaction in trying,
even if one does not succeed"
so | used To think once-long ago: but
| have failed so often that now ! try no
more. When everything goes wrong,
when all ones endeavors come To nothing.
there is no use in struggling-bettcr give
il up
After a pause. she suggested return
to work.
No" cried NJ. de Sauvigny. have
little pity When You are so Industrious,
/ am forced for very shame to be 50, too,
and it is pleasant mere under the tree. So
pleasant. indeed, and so peaceful, that |
don't believe the interval under any cir
cumstances could last long-for me. So /
am anxious to make the most of it,
Almost as he spoke the sound of slow.
dragging footsteps made them start and
look round while Ourson uttered a low
growl of warning.
\ pale-faced. sad-lool;ing woman, dress
ed in rusty black. was slowly approach
ing She paused when she reached the
tree under which they sat. and stretched
Raoul. but saying nothing.
His face cIouded over. and he muttered
impatientIy- Already. then turning To
Molly-'I told you it could not last.
Well" he said sharply to the woman.
what do YOU want?
M. le baron knows me, does he not?
The widow Valette. from Nauxmoncour-
NJ lc baron has already been good TO
me. and SO often he has never forgotten
that I was born i'm the village here that
we We're even DlaymateS as children.
Now | have walked all the wav from
the town To ask NJ. le baron To help me.
She paused. looking appealingly at him.
but his eyes were bent on the ground.
and he did not speak.
M le baron, have had 50 much
trouble: my son has been ill 50 long
ne is even now in the hospital-and times
are bad One wants little. but one must