The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1903-08-15
i. >'j:=A"DUEI,: -
From the French.

One evening, toward the end of Au-
gust, I was strolling aimlessly~ in the
Champs-Elysees, when, in the light of
the street lamp, I suddenly saw my
friend Gustave Hammer. I went up
to him and held out my hand.
Good evening, Major" said. "Well
met
"Oh, is it you ?'he rejoined sadly, IT
am glad to see you.''
His tone surprised me. Looking at
him carefully, noticed that he had
aged greatly since + had last seen him
some time the year before. His face
was pale and lined, and his hair had
turned gray at the temples. I linked
my arm in his. Twill you take a
turn?"
"Gladly."
After few steps I gave up all at
tempts at conversation. He hardly re-
sponded to my remarks, but relapsed
into his 'somber brooding.
''You have some sorrow, old man p"
I began at last.
He started and answered after short
space of time. Yes"
"A-love affair.""
He hesiiated. "Well," he said sud-
denly, ''why should not tell you about
it? Perhaps you can give me some ad-
vice. Since I last saw you I have lived
through tragedy Of which you know
nothing; for, thanks to the Minister of
War, the newspapers were kept silent
concerning the affair. You need not
be alarmed; it is not long story and
the subject is one of especial interest to
you-the sins of the fathers visited up
on children"
He shook the ashes from his cigar
and spoke slowly, as if reading in his
own heart.
''This is how it happened. Last June
Il had been Major at the Sixth Dra-
goons for a m0nth-we went into camp
at Mabenge, near the Belgian frontier.
One morning I started out for Lille in
the company of a superior officer. We
had decided to breakfast at the railway
station of Mabenge, and entering res
taurant, we seated ourselves at a. table
at the end of which was a lunch coun-
ter, where some workinigmen and SOL
diers were partaking Of refreshments.
In the course Of the conversation my
fellow officer asked me if had among
my militia boys, any representatives of
| noted families.
I replied in the affirmative. IA son
of the painter Myrian, the latest men,
Der Of the Academy is in my squadron.
"And your"
II also can boast Of a youth of a well
known name, but he is the son of a &C.
lebrity Of a different kind. His name
| is Georges de Ferisset."
cnn If tho hoo1,fif,,1 nfooo do For-
isset?"
EXACTLY"
"Is it possible,'' I broke out laugh.
| ing, that she has a son old enough for
| the militia? She was one of my first
| loves, but unfortunately she was al
ready engaged to one Of my friends
| when fell in love with her.
IT have been in love with her my
SELF said my companion. IT had not
| your reason tor silence however, an sSal,d
do not remember why T did not propose
| to her.
| "You made a great mistake" said
She is worthy of an infatuation of eight
days duration. And she has an easy
going husband. She has had about a
dozen flirtations, but M. de Ferisset
appears to be ignorant of the fact"
! I had scarcely finished the sentence
when I became aware Of young mi
litiaman standing in the doorway. His
face was as white as Sheet he made
an uncertain movement and came uI
to me, stumbling over his long sword
Gazing at my face with bewildere6
glance, he raised his hand. I under
stood that he intended to- strike me
ARREST this fellow" I called to the
soldiers at the counter.
Two or three Of them rushed forward
but the boy stood motionless, looking a
me fixedly. Then he said brokenly
| ''She is my mother"
I saw at once the brutality Of my re