Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1904-04-14
IN THE HOSPITAL TENT

"TIurrah." cried the young man,
"hurrah."
The two women stood waiting impatient
ly in tic doorway scarcely daring to hope
that the young man was to stay with
them.
Jean Lurcan embraced his mother
tcmpostuously and then seized Gather
inelle. his authenticated cousin who was
sobbing from sheer Joy.
Then you do not need TO go?' demand
ed the mother in a hoarse voice.
NOT
But he added, in a grave tone, 81 am
glad for your sake. mother. and because
father Is growing o!d--and it would
have made my heart ache to leave you
both--all the same. Il man is always
proud of the chance to tight for his coun-
try
"Oh! he quiet cried Cathcrirclle,
%pouting. 'thc Emperor docs not need you
to win his battles"
$40. aud now let us all go in"
inside tho father was waiting, but
when he heard the good news, he said sim
ply:
81 am glad. SON.
That evening. however, as they sat
about the iirc. pcrc Lircan said thought
fully.
Nov that We arc sure YOU will re-
main at homo. Jean. VIC must find YOU
a good wife"
Tic young man moved rcstlcssly in his
chair. His glance. both tender and an
Nous. sought Cathcrinclic. who hlushcd
and looked away.
Per" Lurcan noticed the little by-play
and his voice grew harsh.
"Whcn ] say we must find you a wife
! do not say quito what 7 mean. | have
already decided upon the young lady
whom ] wish you to marry"
"Who?' stammored Jean, uneasily.
"Malci'ire Michaud."
ooh hut"
"Thcre are no butts about It. The
match plcases inc and you must cndcavor
to bo pleased also. Madeleine will have
a largo dowry ana her father is ready to
consent"
"fathcr,' protested the young man,
do give me a little time"
"Not rr hour" thundoro1 old Lurean.
bringing his fist down upon the table.
don't YOU suppose | know your little
came" ann master hero and if you
Gon't do az | say. I'll find u way to make
You. ! shall 60 now and sottle it with
Nichaud.'
lie rose and went out. leaving a sup
pressed feeling Of CONSERVATION in the
room. ~ hor corner. the orphan cousin.
pretty Cathorinollc, loft %pcnniless several
years before and received into the fam
ilv only at mother IIiro1n's repeated pro-
tests. shrunk into the shadow. Jean left
the room without a word.
An hour later. pcrc Lurean returned,
angry aud furious.
'WhatcVcr has h~appened?' demanded
his wife almost in a whisper.
"Whoro is Jean" her husband replied.
",iono ont. he viii he back later"
"Ah""
The old farmer was silent for a moment.
then he began to swear - furiously that
his "ifo. terrified. stood moti"nlc-s h'-
fore him.
lust then Cathoriuollo entered. bring
ing in AN armful Of wood for th" lire. See
ing her, pore I.ur"an seized her roughly
aud began shaking her. pouring out an
angry torrent If abuse. lie accused hor
of returning their kindness with evil by
bringing misfortune upon them. He had
hoon To SOC Michaud and the willy arncr
had refused to give his daughter to Lu-
rcau's son unless tn" latter should give
four thousand francs as his portion. It
was merely a trick to get out of his pre-
Nious bargain and I.urean WAS furious at
the intended Slight.
But if Jean could not have Madeleine.
Neither should Cdtherinolle have Jean.
She, tho penniless orphan, taken out of
moro charity, who was she that she
should mink of loving Jean II So turn
him from marrying girls who were
T%icl"r9 Blind with rage, T.urcan said;
Get ont of my housc.--do YOU hear
m" | shall no. let YOU remain here an
other moment
Deeply curious. Tnrcan looked at the
rcd scaled letter that he held.
"Marion.' he called to his wife. come
and see this letter, who can be writing
your
His wife started Perhaps at last She
was going to hear something of catheri-
nellie.
north had passed since the Young girl