The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-08-06
n ARIB RAGNIER brought
M out a little register.
" You may write your
name here. If Won viii he

boou euouSn, monsieur" she said.
Her new ledger did so. slowly. writ.
ing like one in whom sickness had de.
stroyed bold photographer.
They talked together about the rates
of the lodging. and the man arranged
with her to give him breakfast in his
room
Il am n student. madame. 1 study
late 1t would be n great favor if 1
might have coffee in my apartment"
That is simple. l will do it with
pleasure" They agreed upon the
terms, and he stopped to carry up his
valise.
Pardon, monsieur. but I have no
porter"
1t is immaterial, thank you"
But his breath came hard as he
toiled up the stairs, and by the time he
had reached his room there were beads
of perspiration on his brow. he sat
down and painted. and his lips grew
blue. Marie Ragnier ran down to the
dining room and brought up a little
glass of water.
You are Ill, she protested in com
miserating voice. Il ought not to have
allowed you to carry a burden"
He drank gratefully and bowed with
grace as he sat the glass back on the
tray.
You are standing, madame, he said.
arising from his chair. To simplify
matters Marie took another chair
Il am not married" she said. in her
hearty way. Mother and I've have
this house and nothing else. 1t S the
legacy my dear father left us. l know
no way in which TO earn my living in
the world; so we take dodgers. But
because we are two women together.
and have friends whose regard is of
Importance to us we must be very par
ucular about whom we admit to our
house. You will pardon me- monsieur.
but something in your face looked so
sad-I could see you were ill-that
neglected to take my usual precau-
tons; and now l see-oh, a thousand
pardons. monsieur, and il strikes me to
the heart to see you looking so pale
/ see that the name you wrote in my
little register is not the same as that
upon your valise."
The man looked at her stupidity.
1T is true" he said at length. and
wiped the moisture from his blue lips.
Which is your true name, mon.
sieur?' she asked gently.
He smiled sl,wly and arose.
"MademOiselle.' he said, neither is
my name If you will allow me l VIII
go. l am not used to deceive-so l
blundered." He lifted the heavy va
lise and started for the stairs. but be-
no L.
Marie Ragnier rushed to him and
turned him over. He was in a dead
faint. She called her maid at the top
of her lungs.
'Lucie! Lucie! Put something on
your head and so for the chemist We
have a sick man here Ask Monsieur
du Bois also He must be put 10 bed.
this lodger"
She ran back TO the bedroom and
prepared the bed with warmed sheets.
and in a moment her neighbors were
with her.
You are to get him safe in bed"
she told the chemist and her other
good friend-both had known her for
many years. You are to make him
comfortable No doubt his night
clothes'-she blushed-"are within
that valisc / shall be without the
door, and you can call upon me for
anything"
But. mademoisellc. Il is impossible
that YOU should take him. He should
go to the hospital You may have
sick man TO attend for weeks and in
the end lac may die. You are too poor
to run such a risk. mademoiselle. Very
likely this man is pennilcss"
Marie Ragnier lifted Ter mead with
hint Of hauteur
You are mistaken in thinking RE
too poor to do this she said
So the sick man was made c0mforta-
bic in a soft and white bed the shades
were lowered TO protect his eyes from
the light fire was built fin tho CRATE
When all was done the chemist took
Marie RagnCr aside.
This man Is going to die very soon.
be warned her.
lin q wcekW
"In n month"
81 win pray for his soul" said Marie
devoutly.