Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-12-26
CHAPTER EXVI,

ity. lciccs yard long hung to the
caves. and the snow lay unmelted fol
days together on the roofs. More often
than not we were without wood for oul
fire, and when we had it. it was green
and llnseasoned, and only smodered
away with a smoke that stung and irri'
tated our eyes. Our insufficient and un-
wholesome food supplied us with no IN,
ward warmth At times the pangs OF
hunger grew too strong for us both, AMI
forced me to spend little of the money
was nursing so carefully. AS soon as
could make myself understood, went
ont occasionally after dark to buy bread
and milk.
found that had no duties to perform
as a teacher. for none of the three French
pupils desired to learn English. English
girls, who had been decoyed into the
same snare by the same false photograph
and prospectus which had entrapped me.
were all Of families too poor to be able
to forfeit the money which had been paid
In advance for their French education.
Two of them. however. completed their
term at Christmas ami returned home
weak and i'll; the third was to leave in
che spring.
Very fast melted away my money. l
could not see the child pining with hun
ger, though every sou l spent made our
return TO England more difficult. Mad
anne Perrier put no hindrance in my way,
for the more food we purchased for our
selves, the less we ate ut her table. The
bitter cold and the coarse food told upon
Minima's delicate little frame. Yet
what could do? | dared not write to
Mrs. Wilkinson and very much doubt
ed if there would be any benefit to be
hoped for if l ran the risk. Mnima did
not know the address of any one of the
persons who had subscribed for her edu-
cation and board. She was as friendless
as was in the world.
So far away were DR.. Martin Dobrce
and Tardif that l dared not count them
as friends who could have any power to
help NE. Better for DR.. Martin Dobree
ii he could altogether forget me, and
return to his cousin Julia. Perhaps he
had done so already
Towards the middle of February Mad
ame Perrier's coarse face was always
overcast, and monsieur seemed gloomy,
too gloomy to retain even French polite
ness Of manner towards any Of us. The
household was under cloud, but could
not discover why. What little discipline
and work there had been in the school
was quite at an end. Every one was left
to do as she chose.
Early one morning, long before the day
break, was startled out Of my sleep by
hurried knock ut my door. 1t proved
to be Mademoisele Morel. opened the
door for her, and she appeared in her
bonnet and walking dress. carrying n
lamp in her hand, which lit up her weary
sear-staned face. She took u seat at
the foot of my bed and buried her face
In her handkerchief.
"lIademoiselle," she said, there is n
grand misfortune. a misfortune without
parallel. Monsieur and madame are
gone.
"Gone" repeated; "where are they
gomez"
II do not know. mademoiSelle," she
answered; II know nothing at all. They
are gone away. The poor good people
were in debt, and their creditors are as
hard as stone. They are gone, and l
have no means to carry on the establish
nent. The school is finished"
"But l am to stay here twelve MONTHS
1 cried. in dismay, land Minima was to
stay four years. The money has been
paid to them for it. What is to become
of u.s."
81 cannot say, mademosele; am des-
olated myself" she replied, with fresh
burst Of tears; "all is finished here. Ii
you have not money enough to take you
back to England, you must write to your
Friends. l am going to return to Bor-
.deaux. l detest Normandy; it is SO cold
and triste."
but what is to be done with the other
pupik!' inquired.
47ne English pupil goes with me 10
Paris" she answered; 'she has her
frien Is there. The French demoisell
are not far from their own homes, and
they return to-day by the omnibus to
Granville. 1t Is misfortune without
para,lel, mademoiselle-a misfortune
without a parallel"
To crown all, she was going to start
Immediately by the omnibus to Falaise,
and On by rail to Paris, not waiting for
the storm to burst. She kissed me on
both cheeks, babe me adeu. and was
gone, leaving me in utter darkness, before
I fairly comprehenled the rapid French
IN which she conveyed her intention.
had seen my last of Monsieur and Mad
ame Perrier, and Of Mademoiselle Morel.
All l had to do was to see to myself
and Minima. l carried our breakfast
back with me, when | returned to Min.
lima.
IL wish I'd been born boy" she said
plaintivey; "they can get their own liv-
ing sooner than girls, and better. How
soon do you think l could get my own
living? l could be little nursemaid
now, you know; and I'd eat very little"
"What makes you talk about getting
your living!" | asked.
"How pale you look!" she answered.
noddng her little head; "why, l heard
something Of what mademoiselle said.
You're very poor. aren't you. Aunt
Nelly?"
Every poorv' l repeated. hiding my
face on her sillow, whilst hot tears fore
cd themselves through my eyeids.
''Oh. this will never do" said the child
ish voice; 1--WE mustn't cry, you know.
The boys always said it was like a baby
70 cry; and father used to say, Courage
Ainima" Perhaps. when all our money
Is gone, we shall find great big purse
full of gold; or else beautiful French