The suburban citizen., 1901-06-22

| AeA lew lOuBeF ulu So Slowly, WrlC'
Ing like one in whom sickness had de.
stroyed a 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 . student, madame. l study
late, 1t would be a great favor if l
might have coffee in my apartment"
THAT is simple. l will do it with
pleasure" They agreed upon the
terms, and he stopped to carry up his
yalise.
Pardon, monsieur, but I have no
porter"
is immaterial, thank you"
But his breath came hard as he
! toiled up the stairs, and by the time he
had reached his room there were beads
of perspiration on his brow. He sat
down and painted, and his lips grew
blue. Marie Ragnier ran down to the
dining room and brought up a little
glass Of water.
"You are ILL.,, she protested in a com
| miserating voice. Il ought not to have
allowed you to carry a 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. 10 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 lodgers. 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 so
sad-I could see you were ill-that
neglected to take my usual precau.
tions; and now 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 che same as that
upon your valise."
The man looked at her stupidly.
ut is true" he said at length, and
wiped the moisture from his blue lips
(which is your true name, mon.
sieur?" she asked gently.
He smiled slowly and arose
~ eofd Gsnnftho,. e
my name. If you win allow me 1 will
60 l am not used to Geceive-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 and
turned him over. He was in a dead
faint She called her maid at the top
Of her lungs.
"Lucie! Lucie! Put something on
your head and 90 for the chemist. We
have a sick man here. Ask Monsieur
du Bois also. He must be put to bed,
| this lOdger"
She ran back to the bedroom and
prepared the bed with warmed sheets,
| and in a moment her neighbors were
with her.
"You are to get him safe in bed"
she told the chemist and her other
\ good friend-both had known her for
many years. "You are to make him
| comfortable. No doubt his night
clothes'-she blushed-"are within
that vallse. l shall be without the
door, and you can call upon me for
anything"
"But, mademoiselle, it is impossible
J that you should take him. He should
/ 60 to the hospital. You may have =
sick man to attend for weeks and in
the end he may die. You are too poor
TO run such a risk, mademoiselle. Very
! likely this man Is penniless."
Marie Ragnier lifted her head with q
| hint Of hauteur.
"You are mistaken in thinking me
too poor to do this" she said.
So the sick man was made comforta
| bic in a soft and white bed; the shades
were lowered to protect his eyes from
the light; q fire was built in the CRATE
When all was done the chemist took
Marie Ragnier aside.
"Thls man is going to die very soon,'
he warned her.
"In a week"
"In a month"
81 will pray for his soul" said MarS
deyoutly.
"These women are always sentimen
tai when one least expects it," NUT
tered the chemist. But for all that j.;
made up his mind, if it should come tC
a pinch, he would help Marie out witl
the prescriptions.
Marie went back to her lodger.
Would you like me to stew you ;
chlckenY she asked shyly.
"AIademoiselle! II am thrust By
my misfortunes upon your goodness
How can I-my name
Marie broke into youthful smil,
and betrayed an unsuspecrtd dimple.