The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-01-07

In an orchard close by, apple trees. with
twisted, gnarled trunks, displayed their
garlands of flowers.
Fine weather for field work." said
Gosset.
I'VE should be poor laborers." re-
marked Cathelin, feeling the muscles
of his still feeble arms. They were
quite melancholy; and then by the way
of jest they said to Freuil. You are
the lucky one, Scholar You need no
strength for reading" Andre shook
his head: a strain of artless music was
heard from The neighboring chapel; the
voice of women and children singing.
The soldiers were silent, thinking of
their past lives and of the future. Cos
set and Cathelin looked back on their
farm hOmeStea3s-a house full of old
furniture, bright kitchen, a yard
where fowls clucked and croWed deWy
meadows where huge cattle pastured,
fields golden with ripe corn. Freuil was
dreaming of the rooms in Paris where
his father and mother were anxiously
thinking of him in hospital; every chair
was remembered as an old friend i'm
patiently awaiting his return. He could
see the old Sorbonne and the terrace of
the Luxembourg. Obi what long de-
lightful hours he had spent under the
trees near the Medicis fountainl The
eager discussionsi The bright dreams
when some elegantly dressed woman
left wake of perfume as she passed !
The three Dung fellows gazed out at
the ClStdEce. sister Marie nurTnurGQ
a lullaby as if she We're singing the
baby to sleep for which she was making
the little bodice. A light air brought
the scent of the orchards to the con-
valescents. and tossed some white
petals on to their knees, exhaling the
sweet breath of spring
Under the poisoning apple trees
came a strong healthy girl. She car
ried pail of foaming milk. Her sleeves
were rolled up above her white arms
hon ela sat IL Iaav- x11s4 81
the trees and lazily stretched herself.
She bent her head and shut her eyes,
for a snowy bough caught in the hair
at the back of her neck. Suddenly she
saw the soldiers and the sisters, and
| hastily went on her way She colored
slightly; nevertheless, before diSap-
pearing from view she turned round
and blew a kiss to the young men. Cos
set and Cathelin agreed that she was
like girl in their village. F'reuil was
reminded of the blue eyes of a little
singer he had adored. How miserable
he had been at having to join his regi-
mentl He remembered the first nights
in the barrack dormitory; he could not
sleep. Men lay dreaming and uttering
incoherent sentences in a far-away
tone. Others snored noisily. He listen
| ed for the chimes of a clock near at
hand. At half past ten he had reflect
ed: 'tShe is just going on to the stage.
| And he had actually wept. His illness
had effaced that bitter grief. His
heart was as fresh as the young spring.
Sister Jeanne rolled up her knitting.
Now said she, 1--WE must go in
The soldiers obediently rose, but Sis
ter Marie did not move, and tears drop
| ped from her lowered eyes, down her
thin cheeks. She had finished her work
and looked at it sadly.As Sister Jeanne
affectionately questioned her:
"Oh, it is nothing" she nurmured,
.sI was only thinking of a baby's help
less movements, and its mothers hap
| piness.''
The bells tolled for service. and in
the distance bugle call at the bar
racks announced the coming of the
quartermaster bringing the latest news
/ to the men.-Illustrated Figaro