The Banner-Democrat. [volume] (Lake Providence, East Carroll Parish, La.) 1892-current, 1901-08-17
MONSIEUR VOTRE.
1Y ELLA w. REArr,E.
ARIE RAGNIER brought
out n little register.


MI out little register.
"You may write your
name here, IL you will be
good enough, monsieur" she said.
Her new lodger 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.
II am a student, madame. / study
late. 1t would be a great favor If
might have coffee in my apartment"
THAT Is simple. will do 1t with
pleasure" They agreed upon the
terms, and he stopped to carry up his
alise.
Pardon, monsieur, but l have no
porter"
1T is immaterial, thank you"
But his breath came hard 40 he
toiled up the stairs, and by the time he
had reached his room there were beads
of Precipitation on his brow. He sat
down and painted, and his lips grew
blue. Marie Ragnier ran down to the
dining room and brought up q little
glass of water.
You are ill.," she protested In q CON-
miserating voice. II ought not to have
allowed you to carry 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.
II am not married" she said, in her
hearty way. Mother and I've have
this house and nothing else. 1t is the
legacy my dear father left us. 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
ticular about whom we admit to our
house. You will pardon me. monsieur
but something In your face looked 90
sad-I could see you were ill-that
neglected to take my usual precau'
fions; and now I see-oh, a thousand
pardons, monsieur, and it strikes me to
the heart to see you looking so pale
I see that the name you wrote in my
little register Is not the same as that
upon your valise."
The man looked ut her stupidity.
''It is true" he said at length, and
wiped the moisture from his blue lips
(which Is your true name. mon.
sieurY she asked gently.
He smiled slowly and arose.
'Mademoiselle," he said. neither II
my name. If you will allow me will
go. / am not used to deceive-so
blundered." He lifted the heavy va
lise and started for the stairs, but be
fore he reached them he fell prone
Marie Ragnier rushed to him anf
turned him over. He was in dead
faint. She called her maid at the tot
of her lungs.
"Lucie! Lucie! Put something OF
your head and go for the chemist. W.
have a sick man here. Ask Monsieur
du Bots also. He must be put to bed
this ledger"
She ran back to the bedroom AMI
prepared the bed with warmed sheets
and In a moment her neighbors wer'
with her.
"You are to get him safe in bed
she told the chemist and her othe'
good friend-both had known her TO
many years. you are to make hin
comfortable. No doubt his night
clothes"-she blushed-"are within
that valise. 1 shall be without tn
door, and you can call upon me TO
anything"
But, mademoiselle, 1t is, impossible
that you should take him. He shoul'
20 to the hospital. You may have
sick man to attend for weeks and n
the end he may die. You are too poo
to run such a risk. mademoiselle. Yer.
likely this man is penniless."
Marie Ragnier lifted her head with
hint Of hauteur.
"You are mistaken in thinking IN
too poor to do this" she said.
So the sick man was made comforta
BILE in soft and white bed; the shade
were lowered to protect his eyes from
the light; fire was built in the CRATE
When all was done the chemist tool
Marie Ragnier aside.
"This man Is going to die very soon,
he warned her.
"In a week."
"In a month"
Il will pray for his SOUL" said Mari
devoutly.
"These women are always sentimer
tai when one least expects it." mu
tered the chemist. But for all that b
made ND his mind, IL 1t should come
n pinch. he would help Marie out wit
the prescriptions.
Marie went back to her ledger.
would you like me to stew you
chlckenT she asked. shyly.
"Mademoiselle! II am thrust b
nv misfortunes upon your goodness
How can I-my name
Marie broke into n youthful smil
and betrayed an unsupported dimple.
az have decided about your name
she said. II shall call You monster
yotre! When you are we'll
az shall never be we'll
.very well. then. You VIII never
well. shall never be young. Let
take life as 1t comes-one Ii not ARA
4 of events. hope!
"You speak like hero. mademol
ellie. AS you say, one must resign one
self. After all. what 1t Is. this life
river that foes by! / can rememo
when the waves of 1t danced and we
tipped with sunshine"
.And now?' Marie had the linton
tion of motlex.