Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1903-02-12

in the midst of them, I felt my heart
grow warm, and could easily under
stand the cry of the mother:
ooh, mon Jesu, prenez moi aussi, take
me wiz mon mignon!
The cry Weakened Slavin's heart, and
he said huslzily:
''Oh, Annette, Annettev
"Ah, oui, an Michael too!' Then to
Mr.. Craig: you tink he's tax me some
day? Eh?"
"All who love him." he replied.
"An Michael. too?" she asked, her
eyes searching his face. cam Michael
too?+
But Craig only replied, call who love
him.
"Ah, Michael, you must pray lie bon
Jesu! He's garde notre mignon." And
then she bent over the babe, whisper
ing, "Ah, mon cheri, mon amour adieu,
adieu, mon anger till Slavin put his
arms about her and took her away, for
as she was whispering her farewells
her baby, with little answering sigh,
passed into the house With many rooms.
"Whisht, Annette, darling, don't cry
for the baby" said her husband. "Sure
it's better off than the rest of us it is.
And didn't you hear what the minister
said about the beautiful place it is?
And sure he wouldn't lie to US at ALL"
But mother cannot be comforted
for her firstborn son.
An hour later Nixon brought Father
Goulet. He was little Frenchman
with gentle manners and the face of a
saint. Craig welcomed him warmly
and told him what he had done.
'"That is good, my brother" he said,
with gentle courtesy. and, turning to
the mother, "Your little one is safe"
Behind Father Goulet came Nixon
softly and gazed down upon the little
quiet face, beautiful with the magic Of
death. Slavin came quietly and stood
beside him. Nixon turned and offered
his hand, but Slavin, moving slowly
back, said:
II did you wrong, Nixon, and it's
sorry man I am this day for it,
Don't say a word, Slavin," answer
ed Nixon hurriedly. 81 know how you
feel. I've got a baby too. want to
see it again. That's why the break
hurt me So"
Gas Gods above" replied Slavin ear
nestly, "I'll hinder you no more"
They shook hands, and we passed
out ,
We laid the baby under the pines,
not far from Billy Breen, and the sweet
spring wind blew through the gap and
came softly down the valley, whisper
ing to the pines and the grass and the
hiding flowers Of the new life coming
to the world. And the mother must
have heard the whisper in her heart,
for as the priest was saying the words
of the service she stood with Mrs. Ma
vor's arms about her, and her eyes
were looking far away beyond the pur-
pie mountain tops, seeing what made
her smile. And Siavin. too, looked diff
ferent His very features seemed finer.
The coarseness was gone out of his
face. What had come to him could
not tell.
But when the doctor came into Sla-
wins house that night it was the old
Slavin I saw, but with look Of such
deadly fury on his face that tried to
get the doctor out at once. But he was
half drunk, and his manner was hid
eously humorous.
"How do, ladies? How do, gentle
men?' was his loud voiced salutation.
"Quite professional gathering, clergy
predominating. Lion and lamb too!
Ha, ha! Which is the lamb, eh? Ha,
ha! Very good! Awfuuy sorry to
hear Of your loss, Mrs. Slavin. Did
our best, you know; can't help this sort
Of thing
Before any one could move Craig
was at his side and, saying in clear,
firm voice, zone moment, doctor,'
caught him by the arm and had him
out of the room before he knew it.
Slavin, who had been crouching in
his chair, with hands twitching and
eyes glazing. rose and followed, still
crouching as he walked.
l hurried after him, calling him back.
Turning at my voice, the doctor saw
Slavin approaching. There was some
thing so terrifying in his swift, noise
less, crouching motion that the doctor,
crying out in fear, Keep him OFF,
fairly turned and fed.
He was too late. Like tiger Slavin
leaped upon him and without waiting
to strike had him by the throat with
both hands and, bearing him to the
ground, worried him there as dog
might cat.
Immediately Craig and We're upon
him; but, though we lifted him clear
off the ground, we could not loosen
that two handed srangling grip. AS
we were struggling there light hand
touched my shoulder. 1t was Father
Goulet.
please let him go and stand away
from u.s." he said, waving us back.
! We obeyed.
He leaned over Slavin and spoke a
few words to him.
Slavin started as if struck heavy
blow, looked up at the priest with fear
in his face, but still keeping his grip.
LET him co." said the priest.
| Slavin hesitated.