Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-10-12
The Doctors Dilemma
by Aesba Stretton


lance that we could almost walk. If
Mrs. Dobree could not help me, Tardif
would take Minima into his house for n
time, and the child could not have a hap
pier home. could count upon my good
Tardif doing that. These plans were TAX
ing shape In my brain. when I heard a
voice calling softly under the window. I
opened the easement, and leaning out,
saw the welcome face OF Resale, the
milk woman.
"will you permit me to come in?' she
inouired.
Eyes, yes. come In" I said eagerly.
She entered. and saluted us both with
much ceremony.
80 my little Emile and his spouse are
gone. mademoiselle." she said, In a mys-
terious whisper. II have been saying to
myself. What will my little English lady
dor That Is why | am here. Behold
me-"
II do not know what to do" I answer.
ed.
IF mademoiselle Is not difficult" she
| said, "she and the little one could rest
with me for a day or two. My bed Is
clean and soft-bnh ten times softer
than these paillasscs. I would ask only
franc night for It. That IL much less
than at the hotels. where they charge
for light and attendance. Mademoisellc
| could write to her friends, IL she has not
enough money to carry her and the little
one back to their own country"
II have no friends" said responding
".
"No friends! no relationsv' she ex-
claimed.
"Not one" I replied.
was only too glad to get shelter for
Minima and myself for another night.
Mademoiselle Rosalie explained to me the
French system Of borrowing money upon
articles. But upon packing up our few
possessions, I remembered that only a
few days before Madame Perrier had
borrowed from me my sealskin mantle,
| the one valuable thing had remaining
| I had lent 1t reluctantly. and In spite Of
myself; and It had never been returned.
Minima's wardrobe was still poorer than
my own. All the money we could raise
was less than two napoleons: and with
this we had to make our way TO Gran
vile, and from thence to Guernsey. We
could not travel luxuriously.
| The next morning we left Noireau on
foot, and strolled on as II we were walk
ing on air, and could feel no fatigue.
Every step which carried us nearer to
Granville brought new hope to me. The
| face Of Martins mother came often to
my mind, looking at me. rs she had done
In Sark, with a mournful yet tender smile
"A smile behind which lay many tears.
"Courage" l said to myself; every
hour brings you nearer to her."
| I had full directions as to our route.
and l carried letter from Rosalie to a
cousin Of hers, who lived In u convent
about twelve miles from Noireau. II we
reached the convent before six o'clock we
should find the doors open, and should
gain admission. But in the afternoon the
sky changed. The wind changed point
or two from the south, and breath from
the east blew, with a chilly touch, over
the wide open plain we were now Cross.
Ing. The road was very desolate. 1t
brought us after while to the edge OF
q common. stretching before us, dfear
and brown, rs far rs my eye could reach.
Are you very tired. my Minima?"
asked.
ut will be 80 nice to go to bed. when
we reach the convent" she said. looking
up with smile. II can't imagine why
the prince has not come yet"
perhaps he Ii coming oil the time"
I answered, land he'll find us when we
want him worst"
We plodded on after that. looking for
the convent. or for any dwelling where
we dbuld stay till morning. But none
came In sight, or any person from whom
we could learn where we were wander.
ing. l was growing frightened. dismay-
ed. What would become Of us both. II
February night?