The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1903-10-31


to the best Of Mime. Roussillon's abili-
ty had accordingly been done.
Now, while the wind strengthened
and the softly booming summer shower
came on apace, the heavy cloud lifting
as it advanced and showing under il
the dark gray sheet OF the rain, Pere
Beret and Alice sat under the clap
board roof behind the vines Of the We
punda ana discussed what was gener-
ally uppermost in the priests mind
upon such occasions. the good of Alice's
immortal soul-a subject not absorbing
" interesting to her at any time.
"Ah, my child" he was saying. "yOu
are a sweet. good girl. after all, much
better than you make yourself out to
be. Your duty will control you. You
will do 1t nobly az last, my child"
True enough, Father Beret, 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 viii return in minute or two"
she called back from region which
Pere Beret well knew was that OF the
pantry. "Don't get impatient and SO
awayV
Pere Beret laughed softly at the pre-.
posterous suggestion that he would
even dream Of going out in the rain.
which was now roaring heavily on the
loose board roof, and miss cut OF
cherry pie - cherry pie of Allce's
making! And the Rousslllon claret,
too, was always excellent, "Ah, child"
he thought. your old father Is not go
ing away"
She presently returned. bearing on
wooden tray a ruby stained pie aud a
short stout bottle flanked by two
glasses.
"Of course I'm better than | some
times appear to be-" she said almost
humbly, but with mischief stlll In her
voice and eyes, "Nnd | 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 three legged
stool which she pushed close 10 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
ily, meantime handing Jean a liberal
piece Of the luscious pie.
1T is good, my daughter, very good.
indeed" the priest remarked with his
mouth full. mime. Roussillon has not
neglected your culinary education"
Alice filed a glass for him, IL 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
oil 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
Mime. Rousslllon had come out on the
veranda to join In.
"Tve hidden every book OF them"
said madame stout and swarthy
woman, whose pearl white teeth were
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 I'm 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 swiggcd the
wine, and now
Pere Beret put on his straw cop, ad-
justing II carefully over the shining
dome out Of which had come 80 many
thoughts OF wisdom. kindness and hu.
man sympathy. This done, he gently
laid hand on Allces bright crown OF
hair and said:
"Bless you, my child. win pray TO
the Prince OF Peace for you as long as
live. and I will never cease TO beg
the Holy Virgin 10 intercede for you
and lead you 10 the holy church"
He turned and went away. but when
he was no farther than the gate Alice
called out;
"Oh, Father Beret, forgot 10 show
you something"
She ran forth 10 him and added In a
low tone
"You know that Nine. Rousslllon has
hidden an the novels from me-"
she was fumbllng TO get something
out OF the loose front Of her dress.
well, just take glance az this. will
your and she showed him n little
leather bound volume. much cracked
along the hinges OF the back
Pere Beret frowned aud went his
way shaking his head, but before he
reached his little hut near the church
he was laughing in spite OF himself.
''shes not 20 had, not 80 bad" he
thought aloud; it's only her young
independent spirit taking the biz for
wild run. I'm her sweet soul she II as
good az she Is pure