The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1904-04-08

the fullness' OF her heart. while her
voice trembled with excess Of emotion.
Monsieur is going back Into the great
world; Monsieur has honor n fair
fame; I must return to the wine shop"
The poor girl must have been wea-
ried out with her watchings by my bed.
for h burst into such an uncontrolla-
BILE weeping as I fain would have pre-
vented. I did my rough best at com
fort, but had to let her sorrow run ita
course.
"Oh. Monsieur, think Of 1t! must
go back to that dreadful wine shop. to
the gaming tablesi must continue to
money. perhaps Of their lives: must
laugh and be gay. though my heart
break at Its own debasement. There
have been many. ah, so many, l have
lured to hat place. and it came SO
near to costing you you life-you who
were so kind to Florine."
She had sunk to the floor, and catch
ing my hand poured out all the bitter
ness of her heart.
Yet. Monsieur. what can F1ortne do?
There is no way for a weak woma to
do anything in this wretched Paris.
II l do not bring players to the house
my aunt beats me. See." she drew up
her sleeve. and exposed the welts OF
cruel cuts across the bare white flesh.
She denies me food in my garnet. So
1 must work, be merry and work-and
weep all the day for the misery of the
nights" My heart went out to the girl
with all sympathy. but. every whit rs
helpless as she, I only wondered what
could be done.
Monsieur. 1t was not Of my choos-
Ing, believe me, believe me, 1t really
was not. My father thought his sister
so we'll off in this fine Paris. when h
offered to bring me w Az her own
child, and sent us presents, he made me
come with her. We were so Door, so
cruelty poor. My mother could not
come for me. and now how can I go
back? l dare not let her know how 1
am treated. 1t would break her heart,
and she is SO old and lettering. If I
seek other employment NJ one will
take me. no one would give me a char
acter for service. All the world is
open to you You go where you please,
do what pleases you. All h world IS
my only friend. I hoped when you were
well again, such a rich gentleman
could find me a. place non his
friends; find me some quiet place
where l might live and be OF use, o
bringing evil to all I touch. What an
evil life, what a wicked life I lead. Oh,
Monsieur, save me from it; save me!
AS ~ 1iIdll SOo 0tASl1OSQ 1llS
from that night pursues me very
where; my aunt Is Jealous because of
him. She hates me now and would
like to drive me out upon the streets
ugh! the terror Of 1t. But her husband
won't let her; he is kinder than she.
See. I am pretty, I bring custom. She
can not tell her husband why she hates
me. No, no. Bertrand would kill her.
And I dare not tell him. They would
kill me-"
Her speech rambled on now, dis
connected and incoherent. Still by
catching sentences here and there the
whole pitiful story was clear to me.
My y would always overflow at sight
Of woman's suffering, my throat
shocked up; I could speak no word to
her. OF a truth what a horrible life
It must be; what iron webs do sin and
circumstance weave around their VIC
tim. The covering girl sobbed con-
vulsively on the floor at my feet. I
laid my hand tenderly upon her head.
"Florine, I have but two friends my
self in all this land OF France. You
have served one Of these faithfully in
helping me. I will commend you to
him, and am sure he will reward you
we'll"
Monsieur. I seek no reward: I
served you not for money"
She shamed me. though I persisted.
Not q reward, Florine. but surely
you can let him send you back to your
mother. Here Is money; his money,
not mine; he is rich. I am poor. He
can only give you my undying graft
tude."
Ibent down and kissed her pale fore
head, whereat h wept afresh.
"Claude's wife will keep you here
safe until we come again. Then we
will find means to protect and provide
for you"
I bade her rise now and calm her
self, for a hustle in the street an
nounced the noisy arrival OF several
horsemen. A few moments. and Jer-
ONES voice called me from below to
make all ready.
I called Claude's wife up and deliv-
cred the girl to her keeping. then
turned to loook out into the street,
the door four sturdy equerries. well
mounted, and leading two excellent
nags, which I took to be those Jerome
had provided for our own use.
Jerome obliged me once more to
dress with exceeding care, blu I fretted
much for my easy garments which
permitted a man to use his limbs with
Verify there would be ne regret when
all this fHppery could be cast aside
and by my faith. 1t was much simpler
to lay 1t off than to array mes self In
I never did learn all the eccentricities
OF that remarkable rig my fashionable
friend had adorned me with.
Had we better not strap OF our pis-
tols?" I asked, not knowing what he
purposed.
NO; gentlemen do not wear them
Beside, at Sceaux one sharpens ones
wits, and lets even his good blade dul
and rust"
We mustered six stout swords as we
clattered away from the Austrian
Arms, and I could not but note. de.
spite what Jerome had said, he tool
good care to provide trusty fellows ant
swift horses.
"a lean hound for a long race" Jer.
ONE %laughingly remarked. noticing m,
inspection of the not over-fed nag l be.
strobe.
we took that road leading past tn,
heights Of vlllejuif. which in hardl!
more than an hours brisk ride brough
US to the park of Sceaux, over!ookin,
the beautiful Fontenay valley of which
!, was destined to learn much. Dur
ing this ride I had leisure to speak will
de Greville Of Florine. for the girl
story had aroused a real desire in m.
hoo ~ IN 600 hor hat<arod