Morris tribune., 1901-04-06
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The mother was a widow, an indus
trious woman, who worked late and
early in order to support her child, a
little girl between and 5 years old,
pretty as a fairy, full Of fun, affection
ate and coaxing as any happy child
i could Be.
| On the opposite side of the landing
Of the fifth floor on which Nine. Eli
enne and her daughter Lille lived was
the door of the apartments inhabited
| by two brothers, cabinet makers by
trade and bachelors either 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 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 quality Of
approaching old bachelorhood. From
that sort Of intimacy sprung up be-
tween the widow and her neighbors.
Little reciprocal services passed be
tween them. They sometimes made a
party of pleasure on the. Sunday. So
well did they get on indeed that one
day the eldest Of the two brothers said
to the other:
"That child would want a father
badly
That is my opinion also.
''Would you have any objection to
~
'Why should I? IN fact, was think
ing 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 l
like. love that child as much as il
she were my own. =
.'ForsoothI You will live with us. &
The question. agreed upon, the two
brothers, dressed in their best, went
to call on Nine. Etienne. whom, how
ever, they found confined to bed. The
evening before she had run in order
to take some work back to the shop
in time; on returning she. had caught
a chill, passed a feyerish night and
was not able to rise in the morning.
She begged her neighbors to go for a
doctor. 1t 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 Lii |
lie, 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.liye at Vincennes SO
that Lille might have plenty Of good
air and take walks in the wood hey
were very proud of their adopted
daughter. When people stopped to loolS
at them al asked in casual way
ii aich was her father, they replied,
Sotn Of US.
Lille seemed to like one as well
the other and called them Unele John
and Uncle James.
When she grew a liisstle older they pgIt
her TO school ITO a young ladies school
be ii understood king her there
every morning ana calling for her ln
the evening. SO Lille grew up pc
tween these % affections without
ever feeling the want of father d
mother.
She cost the brothers q great deal 1
Of money. did the little one, but bah,
they went no longer to The cafe and
worked a little more than formerly.
These supplementary hours were de-
voted to the pleasure and toilet Of ma
aemoiselle
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 enchant-
"a What charming little house
keeper they had then and with what
Joyful tenderness she greeted their re
turn every evening" 10 say the spoil
ed child never abused their goodness
would be saying too much. but at least
the seized every available opportunity
Il pleasing them.
Two years passed over so quickly for
III OF them that on the day the two
men brought cake and bouquet 10
celebrate Lilies birthday they ex
.laimed:
Seventeen years old. Is it posi-.
lie r.
But, yes, it was possible. And James
md John thought SO much about it
hat 1t made them anxious and IN
lappy.
It was the younger who said one
venlng to the other: