The Monticellonian., 1902-08-21

comprehended nothing at the time Then he seated himself and accepted a glass or cordial and a biscuit. He continued talking; and what he then said was graven upon my soul. and will remain there until my death! l be- lieve that 1 can reproduce almost ex- actly the very terms of which he made use.
 Ah (said he), poor woman! She was my first patient. She broke her leg the very day of my arrival in this place, and 1 had not even time to wash my hands, on descending from the stage coach, when was sent for in all haste, for the case was 9 grave one.
 She was r. years old, and was a beautiful, girl. very beautiful! Would one believe it? As to her history, l have never told it; and no one but my self and one other, who is no longer in the country, has ever known it. Now that she is dead l can be less dis erect.
 At that time young assistant in- structor, with a pretty face and fine figure, and military bearing, came and installed himself in the town. All the girls ran after him, but he pretended to treat them with disdain, being, be- sides, much afraid of the master of the school, his superior, Father Grabu, who was not always in the best of tempers.
 Father Grabu employed at that time as seamstress the beautiful Hortense (who has just died in your house), and who was later, after her accident, bap- tized Clochette.
 The assistant teacher distinguished with his notice the beautiful young girl, who was doubtless fiattered at be- ing chosen by this invincible conquer or; at all events, she granted him a meeting in the granary of the school, at nightfall, after day of sewing. She made a pretense of returning home, but instead of descending the staircase and leaving the Grabu house, she mounted the stairs and hid herself in the hay, to await her lover. He soon joined her, and was commencing to make love to her, when the door of the loft opened, and the master of the schoo. made his appearance, saying:
 What are you doing up here, Sig isbert?" Fearing that all would be found out, the infatuated young tutor answered stupidly: T came up to rest little on the hay, NJ. Grabu."
 The granary was very long, very wide and absolutely black. Sigisbert pushed the frightened young girl to- ward the end of the room command ing: "Go down, hide yourself Ishall lose my place! Escape! Hne!"
 The master, hearing whispering. continued: You are not alone here?"
 "oh, yes, NJ. Grabu!"
 You are not. since you are talking"
 "I swear to you that I am, NJ. Ora bu."
 q will find out about that!" replied the old man; and, locking the door, he went down for candle.
 Then the young man, coward as you will see. lost his head, and becom- ing suddenly furious, il appears, re- peated: Hide, so that he shall not find you! You will deprive me of bread for the rest of my life. You will ruin my career! Hide!"
 The key was heard turning in the lock
 Hortense ran to the little window which looked out on the street, sud- denly opened it. then, in a low and res olute voice: "You will come and pick me up when he is gone" she said. And she leaped out.
 Father Grabu found no one, and, greatly surprised, descended again. X quarter of an hour later NJ Sigis- bert came 10 me. and related his ad- venture. The young girl remained lying at the foot of the wall, unable to rise, having fallen from the second story. went with him to her. Itwas raining in torrents, and l carried to my house the unfortunate maiden, whose right leg was broken in three places, the bones having pierced through the flesh. She made no com- plaint, and only said with admirable resignation: "I am punished, we'll punished!"
 l sent for help, and for the rela tives of the young workwoman, and 10 these related q fable of a runaway team which had thrown her down and crie- pied her before my door. They be- lieved me and the police sought in vain for a month the author of the acci- dent.
 That was the end! I tell you that this woman was heroine as truly as those who accomplish the finest his- toric deeds.
 That was her only love affair. She died unmarried. She was as a martyr. a great soul sublime in her devotion. And if l did not deeply admire her I should not have told you this story, which l have never related to anyone during her life. You will understand why
 The physician was silent. Mamma was weeping. Papa uttered a few words which I did not understand; then they went away.
 l remained on my knees on the sofa, sobbing, hearing strange sounds of heavy steps on the staircase. They were carrying away the body of Clo- chette.-Translated by Marcia Oly- phaat from the French of Guy de Maupassant, Reprinted from Orange Judd Farmer.