Gilpin observer., 1900-04-19

DdQe luuulBcuCc IL lOuBcT SElcl, huO
in an ideal constancy to the dead.
such as her faithful heart cried out
for, so she felt she must at last sur
render. Overpowered, just as the
brave sons of France had been on that
bloody battlefield.
AS summer wore away, all could see
how fast Rene was fading away. The
war was long since cleared away, in
few weeks the last of the Prussians
would be removed from France, and
now there could be no hope of Maui
rice ever coming back.
The fair land had almost healed
over the scars made by the armies.
The rich vineyards were purpling in
the sunshine, in all the old battle
fields the grain was ripening for the
harvest. only the poppies-faming out
like field of fire-had deeper hue.
dyed red by the showers of blood shed
by the loyal sons of France
One evening Rene was coming home
from work. Poor Rene" all called
her who knew her sad story. Pass
ing near the old cathedral she went
in to spend few moments in quiet
devotion. She went up to the chan
chapel which she loved for it's dim,
religious light" and its sweet solitude.
The windows had in them much blue
and yellow glass, which towards sun
set threw halo of light into the
room. That evening the chapel was
all beautiful, an unusual ray of light
came in and shot across the frame of
dim old picture-a painting of the
Madonna and Child-she noticed it
as she knelt down. and pausing a
moment before her devotions to watch
the sunbeam creeping up the picture
Then she bowed her head and prayed.
asking as she had done hundreds OF
times that Maurice might yet be re-
stored to her. A great peace came
over her, and as she arose, she looked
up. The many colored rays of light
had crept up the old dim picture, and
the Mother and Child in the tarnished
frame seemed the center of glorius
nimbus. While she gazed she thought
| the Virgin opened her lips and said:
Rene, de bonnes nouvelles! de
| bonnes nouvelles"
AS she went homeward a party OF
Prussian officers came riding joyously
along towards her. They were re-
| turning from some military maneu-
vers; all were noisy, ruddy and full
| of spirits. Ludwig was among them.
and noticing Rene, he drew rein and
dismounting walked beside her, the
| others riding on. They conversed in
sort of spasmodic fashion, mostly
| in monosyllables, for Renes thoughts
went wandering off towards the bat
tlefield of Sedan, and Ludwig was
awed by the divine beauty radiating
| from her dark eyes.
AS they approached the humble cot
tage they saw the grand mere sitting
outside, spinning, in the fading sun
light. The west was rosy with the
last rays of the departing day; across
the street woman was singing Par
tant pour la Syrie."
Rene paused moment. listening.
Ludwig said, softly:
Our division moves tomorrow.
| Rene, and l now ask you to go with
me. l know how you feel. Your good
mother has told me all; but in time 1
believe this will heal over. Cannot
you consent to be my wife? This
morning | had a letter from my
mother. She wrote:
"'Come home when you can, my
son, and bring your Rene, and bring
| the old women, too; our house is
large enough for all, and they will
be welcome. 1t is very lonely with
out you, and when you come we will
all rejoice and be happy. We will
abide together in harmony and peace,
| c,w
wound will ever be opened"
| Rene did not reply. Indeed, she
hardly heard him, for just beyond the
house. where the woman was singing,
she saw two figures approaching, sill
houetted against the evening sky. AS
they came nearer, she saw that one
was a priest-well known on many
battlefelds-the other was man,
wan and pale, dressed in uniform.
walking with the aid of n crutch. Her
eyes were fixed upon them intently.
| Then all suddenly she ran forward,
with outstretched hands, crying loudly:
The Holy Mother said, Good news.
| Rene | knew you would come! l
knew you would come, Je t'aime,
| Maurice!"
Ludwig turned away, strange feel
Ing rushing over him. Two Uhlans
came dashing down the street. the
woman kept on singing the national
air of France, and the old grand mere
with her shrunken figure came tot
tering to the door, saying. "Yes. yes. 1t
is famine and fever, and all / have
left is just this, and that" catching
her skirt between her brown fingers.
This and that, all else is gone, sol"
swapping her thumb and finger in the