Newport daily independent., 1902-10-01

patriot. He had once been a family man, but his wife had died and his only son had proved himself unworthy. He had actually had the face to consider that even an emperor might not be so bad if only you knew all about him, and he had married the daughter of an Administrative clerk. That had settled it. M Beauyille had disowned Camille, albeit the action had cost him sharp bangs. He had loved him before his conduct had forbidden the further be- stowal of affection.
 That had been seven years ago. The father and son had not met since. Dur ing the period of separation the son had not prospered. His father-in-law had died ruined, and his own enter prises had all come to grief. He had been too proud to appeal for aid to his father, who had not seen fit to give it without being asked. Then he had died, too, and his father had refused to see his widow and child, and had dis appeared-gone no one seemed to know where.
 M. Beauville, however, thought of the subject tonight, as he wrote, de- spite himself. Decidedly he might have been less harsh to Camille. Even patriots ought not to carry things too far. Politics ought not to be allowed to beset domestic joy. Camille had not been blameless-far from it, but the course taken against him had been too rough It almost would-yes, it artu ink !, x.-o11 sf ha Beauville, could meet with the widow and the baby and do what he could for them. M. Beauville's pen paused in it's rapid flight, and something conspic- uously moist fell upon his paper. The Child of Freedom had human weak ness. He hastily dashed an inkstained handkerchief over his eyes, muttered remark uncomplimentary to himself under his breath, and prepared to re- sume his task.
 But he hesitated. What was that sound outside the door? Nj. Beauyille sprang to his feet and glanced toward the stove. The sound again, much plainer. Was it--could it be-a child's laughter? M Beauville carefully push ed back panel in the wall and depos- ited the precious manuscript in the cavity it covered. Then he opened the door of his room warily, in fear of a trap-the creatures of tyrants are some etimes very artful, and up to tricks.
 Outside stoc>l priest from St. Sul- pice, with littlr boy in his arms. The one had thin, fine gentle face, and wore a robe of rusty black, and the other was fat, red-cheeked, smiling, and had a bright, warm coat.
 Have the honor," asked the priest, "of addressing NJ Beauville?"
 'sYou have" answered the Aspirer, curtly.
 'gThen, monsieur, I ask pardon for the lateness of my visit. I have had difficulty in finding your abode, and l deliver my charge into your hands. Your grandson"
 "The mother?" interrupted M. Beau vile. startled.
 Madame died yesterday at Montma ire. She intended to send for you at the end, but there was not time. She was proud, too proud and poor. Had she approached you before it would have been, she thought, to beg; and you had said you hated her. So she worked hard, but she was not strong, and-well her tears are dried, and she is at rest now. But her son? An, she loved him, and before she died she prayed me to carry him to you"
 Do you know me?" asked M Beau vile of the boy, who answered by hold ing out his hands fearlessly and laugh ing. "No, you cannot. How should you? Whats his name?"
 Whats his name?"
 Surely monsieur knows?"
 Yes, I remember, it is Georges. Give him to me"
 M. Beauville gently took the boy. He called out to the departing priest that he would see him again. Then he re- entered his room and fastened the door. He seated himself in his chair and held eGorges on his knees. The boy was not at all afraid, but chatter ed in a shrill voice and in broken sen tences, which somehow failed to sound complete. NJ. Beauville listened for time in silence. The baby talk moved the heart of the patriot. Eventually he began in interrogate. He asked about his dead son, his wife. life, deeds, hopes. death. He learned little, be- cause the knowledge of Georges was limited. He sighed at last and, placing the boy upon the floor near the fire, at the front of the table, gave him an with.