The Washington times., 1901-12-01

MY child" said Carringtnn-he seemed
to have aged ten years Ia the last hour
my child. try to believe there is no dark
ness. only light, where you are going
no night. no heii.''
No hen2' said Bebe slowly. mo
hen?"
She paused moment and smile stole
over her face.
'Ze holy father he say-mais, monsieur.
of course he Is not ycu-he does not
| know"
Heresy. Who shall say IT. poor be-
| nighted mortaIs that we are? What priest
or creed shall place within our hands the
key to that mysterious Holy of HOLES,
Tell me. Demain." Darlington said.
| after pause, thinking to divert her
thoughts, why did you cry out when you
saw la belle Americalne? She loves you.
F., She wants to thank you
| Domain raised herself on one arm. Her
cheeks were flushed now. and into her
dark eyes crept the old shadows and a
strange. new light. She interrupted him
passionately.
| Non. non. hate her-la belle Ameri-
caine."
| But Demain. : said Darlington. shock
ed; you placed yourself in danger to
save her life"
'oui. her Iife-parceque you love her.
Zen your lif--and ze lives of ze men OF re
Eleventh"
! great light broke over Darlington
"Demain.'' he cried. drawing the thin
little hand to his lips. "Bebe, cherie-oh.
Domain. and it was for thati"
Domain closed her eyes and smiled
again.
Monsieur" she said. hesitatingly
monsieur"
Yes. Demain.''
She looked at him. that strange light
still in her eyes.
Monsieur. will you-wiil you-kiss me
once"
Darlington stopped and kissed her on
the forehead.
Non. non, monsieur. not that-but as
you kiss her. All, monsieur. II you but
knew-just oncei''
Carrington's eyes rested on the door,
way. Elizabeth stood there. He could not
read her face. but he bent and kissed De-
main on the lips. once-twice. When he
looked again the figure In the doorway
smiled.
And, monsieur, just another little IA
vor. oh, monsieur, say but llttlf pray
er. / do not want ze holy father zey have
sent for, but just one little prayer from
you" She paused. gasping FOR breath.
Darlington looked distressed.
''Demain." he said gently, Il don't be-
lieve 1 can
"Oh. oui. monsieur-iust little oneI"
Darlington knelt down by the little
| white bed.
Father" he began: then something in
his throat seemed to choke him and he
paused. Father, giYe to US, the men of
the Eleventh. and to all Thy human chill
| dren, wherever they may be, the courage
and the love that have made this short
| life divine. Take her to Thyself-here
the voice faltered little-"and give
her rest and peace: and may she find
with Thee-love, for which she sacrificed
her life. Amen.
He rose, and seeing how exhausted she
| was. started to go. but she detained him
a little longer. Then when he had bid
den her goodnight. and had turned in
| the doorway to wave his hand at her,
she raised herself and smiled. and ques
| toned:
| ''Demain?''
But fer Bebe tomorrow never came.
When the men of the Eleventh saw her
next she lay resting on her pillow in that
sleep so mysterious and profound that no
| living sage has ever read its meaning.
The wild throbbing OF that passionate
heart was stilled; the lips. half parted in
a wistful smile. ware mute, and the white.
| blue-veined lids were closed over eyes
where shadows would never more abide
| Long they fingered there. marveling at
| the new. strange dignity death had given
| to the face they knew so well. and they
| saluted as to a fallen comrade in arms
! Then the men of the Eleventh turned and
left her-slumbering still.-Maud Howard
| Peterson.