Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1903-10-23


Now, while the wind strengthened
and the softly booming summer shower
came on apace, the heavy cloud lifting
as it advanced and showing under it
the dark gray sheet Of the rain. pcre
Beret and Alice sat under the clap
board roof behind the vines If tle We
randa and discussed what was g,ner.
ally uppermost in the priests mind
upon such occasions the GOOD Of Alccs
immortal Soul-a subject not absorbing
| ly interesting to her at any time.
"Ah, my child" he was saying. you
are Il sweet, good girl, after all much
better than you mako yourself out to
be. Your duty will control you You
will do it nobly at last. my child"
True enough, Father Bcret true
enough she responded. laughing.
Your perception is most excellent.
which will prove to you Immediately"
She rose while speaking and went
into the house.
Il will return in Il IlinIte or two
she called back from region which
Fere Beret well knew was that of the
pantry. Don't get impatient and go
away"
Pere Reret laughed softly at the pre-
posterous suggestion that he would
even dream of going ont in the rain.
which was now roaring heavily on the
loose board roof. and miss cut OF
cherry pie "A chewy pic of Alicc's
making. And the Eoussilon ciaret,
too was always excellent. "Ah. child"
he thought your Old father is NOT 60
ing away"
She presently returned, bearing on a
wooden tray a ruby stained ~ and
short, stout bottle 1anked by two
glasses.
"Of course I'm better than I some
times appear to be- she said almost
humbly, but with mischief still in her
voice and eyes, land | shall get to be
very good when have grown old. The
sweetness of my present nature is in
this pie
She set the tray on a three legged
stool Which she pushed close to him
'There, now" she said let the rain
come. You'll be happy, rain or shine.
while the pie and wine last I'll be
bound"
Pere Beret fell to eating right heart
lily, meantime handing Jean a liberal
piece of the luscious pie.
ut is good, my daughter, very good,
indeed" the priest remarked with his
mouth full. Mime. Roussllon has not
neglected your culinary education"
Alice filled glass for him. 1t was
Bordeaux and very fragrant. The bou-
quet reminded him of his sunny boy
hood in France, of his journey up to
Paris and of his careless. joy brimmed
youth in the gay city. How far away,
how misty yet how thrillingly sweet it
all was! He sat with half closed eyes
awhile, slipping and dreaming
The rain lasted nearly two hours, but
the sun was out again when Pere
Beret took leave of his young friend.
They had been having another good
natured quarrel over the novels, and
| Nine. Roussillon had come ont on the
veranda to Join in.
I've hidden every book of them
said madame. stout and swarthy
woman. whose pearl white teeth We're
her only mark of beauty. Her voice
indicated great stubbornness.
Good. good; you have done your
very duty, madame said pere Beret
with immense approval in his charm
| Ing voice
But. father. you said awhile ago
that | should have my own way about
this" Alice spoke up with spirit, and
on the strength of that remark Of
/ yours | gave you the pie and wine
/ You've eaten my pie and swgged the
wine, and now
| Pere Beret put on his straw cap, adj
| justing it carefully over the shining
dome out of which had come SO many
thoughts of wisdom. kindness and hui
man sympathy. This done. he gently
laid a hand on Alice's bright crown of
hair and said:
BLESS you. my child. l will pray to
the Prince of Peace for you as long as
live, and | will never cease to beg
/ the Holy Virgin to intercede for you
and lead you to the holy church."
He turned and went away, but when
he was no farther than the gate Alice
called out:
"Oh, Father Beret, l forgot to show
you something"
She ran forth to him and added in Il
low tone
You know that Nine. Roussillon has
hidden all the novels from me-
She was fumbling TO get something
out of the loose front of her dress.
"Woll, just take glance ut This, vii.
youf' and she showed him a little
leather bound volume, much cracked
along the hinges of the back.
Pere Berct frowned and went his
way shaking his head. but before he
reached his little hut near the church
he was laughing in spite of himself.
"Shc's not 50 bad. not so bad he
thought aloud; its only her young.
independent spirit taking the bit for
wild run. In her sweet soul she is as
good as she is pure