The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1901-08-06
MONSIEUR NOTRE

~ ELLA w. PEArrrE.

AhSsS NOhen are always Sentlmen-
tai when one least expects IT," NUT
tered the chemist. But for all that IL
made up his mind, If it should come to
pinch, he would help Marie out with
the prescriptions.
Marie went back to her ledger.
Would you like me TO stew you n
chicken?' she asked. shyly.
'Mademoiselle! II am thrust by
my misfortunes upon your goodness.
| How can my name
Marie broke into a youthful smile
and betrayed an unsupported dimple.
Il have decided about your name"
she said. Il shall call you Monsieur
Votre! When you are we'll"
Il shall never be we'll"
Very well. then. You will never be
well. shall never be young. Let us
take life as it comes-one is not afraid
of events, hope"'
You speak like q hero. mademois-
ellie. AS you say, one must resign ones
self. After all. what IL is. this life-a
river that flows by! 1 can remember
when the waves of it danced and were
tipped with sunshine"
And now?" Marie had the intona-
ton of mother.
Now 1t is n solemn stream-it is
dark and swift-it menaces. The ran
ids of death are beyond, and / can see
the white foam that leaps from them.
In little while 1 shall be engulfed."
Monsieur Votre IL is but for n mo-
ment. A swirl. confusion, n frantic
moment. then peace! l understand
that death, like life. is tempered to
him who must endure it. 1t is peace,
believe me-"
"Mademoiselle, you are slngulariy
wise. Life and death are as one to me
because have ceased to hope"
fortunately. il is not necessary to
hope for immortality. With that you
have nothing to do. 1t is bestowed"
You are a poet. mademoiselle-a
kind poet"
Il am a cook, monsieur. 1 VIII pre-
pare the chicken"
She went. out and then came back
suddenly. She looked at her lodger
for a few seconds with plying and
tender eyes.
You are safe here" she said almost
in whisper. When you go down into
the rapids 1 shall stand upon the bank.
and though L cannot help you. shall
say: Monsieur Notre. he is bravev /
shall put my decoration upon you. 1
shall say: This is my Chevalier OF the
Legion of Honor"
The sick man raised himself on his
elbow and looked at her.
II my 1ffa sfr
have been vessel without destina-
ton. The open sea has been mine, and
have been blown from shore TO shore.
but never known an anchorage. Can
you explain to me by what miracle /
find myself ut last In harbor?"
There are no miracle she
quoted. "'Thcre are only ignor-
ances."
His eyes frightened.
All" he cried; you know the phi
losophers."
Il am but a woman. and l have lived
alone. But some Of the great have
been my friends. though they have not
known IT,"
Il salute your friends. mademoiselle."
Marie Ragnier bowed gravely and
went out 10 direct the preparation OF
the chicken broth. There was a deli
cate flush on each cheek. and her eyes
were humid with emotion though one
looking at her would nave had trouble
to decide whether 1t was sorrow or
Joy that lifted her face above its usual
expression.
Three weeks later the chemist said:
He will not live n. week"
After that ne VIII live always" she
responded
You are q good woman said the
chemist 81 once knew another also"
You are unfortunate if you have
known but two she answered re-
proachfully
II have known women who We
broken no law have known
such. But that is little. You
tanned TO goodness"
You honor me too much"
WI b nm accent of perfect
II, who look into my own IN
TINT I am making no sac
Gazing for this man"
II do not understand"
You are a man. O,
could understand"
She went back TO her
"ln little while tv