Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-10-19
CHAPTER xxvIr.-tContinued.l

my brotherr she asked.
II have brought no doctor except thy
brother, my sister," answered Monsieur
Laureutie, "also q treasure which l
found at the foot Of the Calvary down
yonder."
He had alighted whilst saying this, and
the rest Of the conversation was carried
on In whispers. There was some one III
In the house, and our arrival was ILL.,
timed, that was quite clear. Whoever
the woman was that had come to the
door. she did not advance to speak to
me. but retreated as soon as the CONVEX.
sation was over.
Pardon, madame" he said. approach.
Ing us. but my sister Is too much occu.
pied with sick person to do herself the
honor Of attending upon you"
He did not conduct us through the open
door. but led US round the nngle Of the
presbytery to small clubhouse opening
on to the court, and with no other en-
trance. 1t was building lying between
the porch and belfry Of the church and
his own dwelling place. But 1t looked
comfortable and inviting. A fire had been
hastily kindled on an open hearth, and u
heap Of wood lay beside II. Two beds
were In this room: one with hangings over
the head and large tall cross at the
foot board; the other a low. narrow pal.
let, lying ~nlong the foot Of 1t. a cruel.
TX hung upon the wall. and the wood
work Of the high window also formed a
cross. 1t seemed a strange goal to reach
after our days wnnderings.
Monsieur Laurentie put the lamp down
on the table, and drew the logs Of wood
together on the hearth. He was an old
man. 40 then thought, over sixty. He
looked round upon us with benevolent
smile.
Madame" he said. "our hospitality
IL rude and simple, but you are very wei.
come guests. My sister Is desolated that
che must leave you to my cares. But II
there be anything you have need Of. tell
me, pray you."
"Therc Is nothing. monsieur" an.
swered; "you are too good to us-too
good"
mo, no, madame" he said. "be con-
tent. Tomorrow will send YOU to Gran.
vile under the charge Of my good Jean.
Sleep well, my children. and fear moth.
ing The good God will protect you"
Minima had thrown herself upon the
low pallet bed. took of her damp
clothes, and laid her down comfortably
to rest. 1t was not long before ] also
was sleeping soundly. Once or twice a
vngue impression forced itself upon me
that Minima was talking great deal In
her dreams. 1t was the clang Of the
bell for mathis which fully reused me ut
last, but 1t was u minute or two before
I could make out where was. Then
Minima began to talk.
How funny that ISL she said. "there
the boys run, and l can't catch one Of
them. Father, Temple Secundus 10 pull.
ing faces at me. and all the boys are
laughing. Well! It doesn't mattev, does
It? Only We are SO poor. Aunt Nelly
and all. We're 80 po0r--s0 pOOr-s0
poorw
Her voice fell into a murmur too low
for me to hear what she was saying,
though she went on talking rapidly, and
laughing and sobbing ut times. called
to her, but she did not answer.
What could oil the child! l went to
her, and took her hands In mine-burning
little hands. I said. "Minima" and she
turned to me with a caressing gesture.
raising her hot fingers to stroke my face.
"Yes, Aunt Nelly. How poor we are,
you and /! ! am 80 tired. and the prince
never coInes!"
There was hardly room for me In tho
narrow bed, but ! managed to lie down
beside her, and took her into my arms to
soothe her. She rested there quietly
enough; but her mind was wandering.
and oil her whispered chatter was about
the boys, and the dominic. her father, and
the happy days at home In the school IN
Epping Forest. As soon as 1t was light
dressed myself In haste, and opened my
door to see IL could find any one to send
to Monsieur Laurentie.
The first person I saw was himself.
coming In my direction. lhad not fairly
looked ut him before, for had seen him
only by twilight and freight. His cas-.
sock was old and threadbare, and his hat
brown. His hair fell In rather long locks
below his hat, and was beautifully white.
His face was healthy looking, like that
Of man who lived much out Of doors,
and his clear, quick eyes shone with a
kindly light. I ran impulsively to meet
him, with Outstretched hands. which he
took into his own with pleasant smile.
"Oh. come. monsieur" l cried; make
haste! She Is III, my poot Minima"
The smile faded away from his face In
an instant. aud he did not utter word.
He followed me quickly to the side Of
the little bed, laid his hand softly on
the childs forehead, and felt her pulse.
He lifted up her head gently, and opening
her mouth, looked ut her tongue and
throat. lie shook his head as he turned
TO me with grave ana perpleXed express
sion, and he spoke with low, solemn ac-
cent.
"Iadame," he said. ut Is the fever!'
He left me, aud I sank down on a
chair, half stupefed by this new disaster.
1t would be necessary to stay where we
were until Minima recovered; yet ! had
NO means to pay these people for the
trouble we should give them, and the ex-
pense we should he to them. I had not
time to decide upon any course. however,
before he returned and brought with him
his sister.
Madenioiselle Therese was tall. plain,
elderly woman, but with the same pleas
ant expression of open friendliness as
that of her brother. She went through
precisely the same examination Of Min
Ina rs he had done.
1.-The fever" she calculated, In much
the same tone as his. They looked sig
nificantly at each other, and then held q
hurried consultation together outside the
door. after which the cure returned alone.
"Madame," he said this child is not
your own, as ! supposed last night. My
sister says you are too young to be her
mother. Is she your sister,"
mo. monsieur" ! answered.
m