The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1900-11-29
THE TWO FATHERS.
By CAMILLE BIAS.

,reeu four and five years old, pretty as a
iairy. full OF fun, afectionate and coaxing
as any happy child cou.d be.
On the opposite side of the landing of the
9Th floor on which Nine. Etienne and her
daughter Lille lived, was the door of the
apartments, inhabited by two brothers
eabinet.makers by trade, and bachelors eth
or by choice or by chance, no one knew.
One of those days when the intense heat
necessitates the door being left open in
order to get a current OF air the prettiness
Of Lille attracted the attention OF the two
brothers, who were already past their first
Youth. and adored children in their quail
hy Of approaching old bacholorhood. From
that sort OF intimacy sprang up between
the widow and her neighbors Little re-
ciprocal services passed between them; they
sometimes made party of pleasure on the
sunday: so well did they get on, indeed,
that one day the elder of the two brothers
cid to the other:
"Tha; child would want father badly"
"rhat is my opinion also
"Would you have any objection to my
asking the mother to marry me!"
"Why should l. In fact. ! was thinking
Of doing the same MYSELF but since YOU
have spoken first, follow the notion up
but on the condition that you will let me
see Lille as often as | like. love that
child as much as If she were my own"
"Forsooth! You will live with us"
The question agreed upon, the two broth
ers dressed in their best, went to call on
Nine. Etienne. whom, however, they found
confined to bed The evening before she
had walked very rapidly, in order to take
some work back to the shop on time, on re.
turning She had caught chill, passed fe-
versh night, and was not able to rise in
the morning She begged her neighbors to
20 for doctor; it was no time to speak
Of marriage.
Inflammation of the lungs carried away
the poor woman in ten days.
The funeral over, they took charge of the
little one, kissing her. They said to one
another, at the same time
III you wish, we will never get married
now
They went to live at Nincennes, so that
Lille might have plenty of good air and
take walks in the wood. They were very
proud of their little adopted daughter. When
people stopped to look at them, and asked
in casual way which OF them was her
father, they replied: Both of us"
Lille seemed to like one as well as the
other, and called them Uncle John and
Uncle James.
When she was 10 years of age she was
the first to suggest that she should stay at
home for the future at which, OF course, the
brothers were enchanted What a charm
ing little housekeeper they had then, and
with what joyful tenderness she greeted
their return every evening! To say that
the spoiled child never abused their good
ness would be saying too much; but at least
she seized every available opportunity of
pleasing them.
Two years passed over so quickly for all
Of them, that on the day the two men
brought a cake and bouquet to celebrate
Lilies birthday, they exclaimed:
Seventeen years old! Is it possble?"
But, yes, it was possible. And James
aud John thought so much about it that it
made them anxious and unhappy
it was the younger who said one even
ing to the other:
"Do you know that Lille is getting more
beautiful every day."
"Eh! Yes, | know it well. And others
know it, too. There must be a good many
admirers prowling about here after her.
And it is certain one of them will take
her away from us before very long
Poor little thing!'
"Hes, if she We're to get bad husband"
"Oh, | should kill any man who would
treat her badly"
There is only one way of escaping that
"Ah!' said the elder brother, without
making any addition to the exclamation.
And then" continued the other, think
how sad It would be for us to part from
Lille Never again 20 see her trotting about
the house, never to hear her merry voice
singing after we return from work OF an
evening"
Il have been thinking of all that for a
long time, my dear John"
And it must be put an end to-
And you PLAN"
1t is very simple if it pleases you. |
shall marry her before she gets fond OF any
one else
"Zounds"
The elder brother stood up, almost threat
tning.
Well What is the natter"
Il also have thought of that plan. was
often going to speak about it, but always
held back"
Why"
Because | wanted to marry Lille my
self"
The two brothers looked at each other far
from amiably; then the younger said
This is the same as with the mother for
merry. Do you remember, james: gave
her her up to you. 1t is your turn, now, to give
hll'e up to me. You are three years older
than L."
Which, nevertheless, does not make you
Very young"
song was heard ascending from below
stars Lille was coming back from her
0S'ly shopping.
,
Listen, said John, rapidly. "The child
VINO has made our happiness up to this must
not be cause of disunon between us. Let
yer choose the one she likes best"
All right" said the other, that is quite
Lilhe entered, took the two men by the
.eeN' kissed them, and, drawing chair be-
Ween them, said:
~ ! wish to speak to you seriously
Joyous. e
lWSh to get married -