Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1900-12-10
The Twu Fathers.
by Camille Bias.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


industrious woman, who
worked late and early in
order to support her child
little girl between four and five years
old, pretty as a fairy, full of fun, af-
child could be.
On the opposite side of the landing of
the fifth floor on which Nine. Etienne
and her daughter Lille lived was the
door of the apartments inhabited by
two ers-cabnetmakers by trade,
and bachelors either by choice or
chance, no one knew
One of those days when the intense
heat necessitates the door being left
open in order to get current of air,
the prettiness of Lille attracted the at
tention of the two brothers, who were
already past their first youth, and
adored children in their quality of ap-
preaching old bachelorhood. From that
sort of intimacy sprang up between
the widow and her neighbors. Little
reciprocal services passed between
them; they sometimes made a party
of pleasure on the Sunday; so well did
they get on, indeed, that one day the
elder of the two brothers said to the
other:
THAT child would want father
badly"
THAT is my opinion also"
"Would you have any objection to
my asking the mother to marry me?"
why should l? In fact, was think
ing Of doing the same myself; but since
you have spoken first, follow the no.
ton up-but on the condition that you
will let me see little 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
brothers, dressed in their best, went to
call on Nine. Etienne, whom, however,
they found confined to bed The even
ing before she had walked very rap
idly. in order to take some work back
to the shop in time; on returning, she
had caught chill, passed a feverish
night, and was not able to rise in the
morning. She begged her neighbors
to go for a doctor; it was no time to
speak of marriage.
Inflammation of the lungs carried
away the poor woman in ten days.
Thanks to the two brothers, she had
not to go to the hospital; and until the
last she was able to see her little Lille,
whom she earnestly recommended to
them. They swore never to abandon
the child.
The funeral over, they took charge
Of the little one, kissing her. They
said to one another, at the same time:
"If you wish, we will never get mar
ried now"
They went to live at Vincennes, so
that Lille might have plenty of good
air and take walks in the wood. They
were very proud of their adopted
daughter. When people stopped to look
at them, and asked in a casual way
which Of them was her father, they
replied: Both of u.s.
Lille seemed to like one as well as
the other, and called them Uncle John
and Uncle James.
When she grew a little older they put
her to school-to a young ladies'
school, be il nderstood-taking her
there every morning and calling for
her in the evening; so Lille grew up
between these two affections without
ever feeling the want of father or
mother.
She cost the brothers a great deal of
money; but, bah! they went no longer
10 the cafe. and worked little more
than formerly. These supplementary
hours were devoted to the pleasure and
toilet of mademoiselle.
When she was fifteen 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 charming 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 goodness 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 ex-
claimed:
Seventeen years old! Is it possible?"
But, yes, it was possible. And James
and John thought so much about it
that it made them anxious and un-
happy.
1t was the younger who said one
evening 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."