The Beaumont enterprise. [volume] (Beaumont, Tex.) 1904-current, 1904-09-07

you haven't forgotten me, thenT
place to a look of agitation, of dis
trcss. She claspcd Ter hands nervous
ly and worked her fingers. A vision
of burgundy and other dainties for
her Pierre had suddcaly iloated across
her vision.
Il would give you fair price for
the bird" the stranger went on. Il
would like to have it for my little
daughter. In fact, you may name
your own price"
Pierre was about to repudiate the
offer again when he caught Babets
eye. She was already speaking.
And monsieur's little daughter
would be very good tc the bird?' She
lifted up her worn, gentle face, and
eyed him anXiously. Poor Pierre hesi-
tated and stumbled little before he
was able to stQmmer vaguely:
You are going to sell our ChrysoS-
tome, Babet?"
YES, yes" she said, decidedly. But
she gave her head a sort Of helpless
nod. and looked down at her blue
apron.
The artist paid double the sum
named, and said he would send
servant that afternoon to claim his
purchase.
When the servant arrived at the
chalet with the bird, the cage was
placed in large window in one of
the drawing-rooms. The window open
ed to the sun and to the fragrance and
greenery of the garden. But not
note. not a sound came from the mel
ancholy thrush. 1t dropped and hung
its head as if moulting. They fed,
they whisted, they coaXed; but 1t re-
NAMED motionless and moping.
The artist was indignant. He had
not really pressed the old people to
sell their bird; he had given them
double the sum named and now! 1t
was not in his nature to be suspicious
but it certainly looked as if another
thrush had been palmed off upon him
in place of the magnificent songster
he had heard that morning.
However. he gave the bird several
days trial. At length, patience was
exhausted, and he sent for its late
owner to demonstrate with him upon
his deception.
Pierre trudgcd heavily into the
room. hat in hand, and the artist turn
ed around. armed with some righteous
rcbukc.
But neither he nor Pierre was al
| lowed to SPEAK: for no sooner had
the old man made his appearance in
the room than the thrush leapcd down
from it's perch. tapped its wings joy
ously and burst into so triumphant
a song that the whole room seemed to
INiErate with its melody.
What Chrysostomc lie jolt Chrysos-
tome" said the old man. going up
close 10 the wicker cage. you haven't
/ forgotten me. them
! Forlottcn him indeed, The bird
lcxtonded its slender body. expanded
lis soft chest and filled its little lungs.
Its song Of greeting rose upon the
Ivoluble air with the splondor of in
Visible color and the artist found him
self thinking. And an the while II
kent moving from side 10 side in the
|cago-darcing with JOY, one might
say.
Y,-. there could De no doubt about
|r. ~ was The same bird that had go
charmed the ears of the artist and is
little daughter n the foot Of the bill
f near Chauruzar. But like the he
.llrar caffivrz. IT, bad not been able
o. -fuz ffz z1uE- iI q strange land
aYnr rsr have your bird. my Old
man ffa artist said with a smile.
And thau. fo Carolyn
we would not part such loving
friends f1- boxes ~ b1ub01s. would
ue flsf7-
So m Together fi.r- fru1ga1. happy
pierre ard Cfrr =ra.yue. CtrrEl=-
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