Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1904-11-10
Fiction

VI Viz DOuss anu the HdnuS, winch IN
cessantly opened and closed. The
fingers moved as if animated by some
thought; as if they obeyed an intelli-
gence. The angular face did not
twitch,-the eyes were closed.
The relations ranged themselves
around the room and watched, without
uttering word, the short respirations.
The little maid, who had followed
them, cried still.
rs it the end?'' asked Cunine
What has the doctor said?" The lit
tie maid murmured: He said to let
her rest, that there was nothing more
that could be done''
Suddenly the old maids Inns moved.
uttering word, the short respirations
They seemed to pronounce silent
words, words hidden in the dying
brain, and her hands moved more
quickly in the same strange manner.
All at once she spoke in a weak little
voice that no one recognized, a voice
that seemed to come from afar. from
the depths of her heart, which. per-
maps, had always been shut.
Cunine tiptoed out of the room
finding the scene too sad: Colombel
whose lame leg tired him, sat down:
the two women remained standing.
queen Hortense muttered now very
rapidly, but no one understood even a
word. She pronounced names
many names,-softly called imaginary
persons.
Come here, my little Philip, hug
your mother. Tell me, child. do Won
love your mother dearly? And YOU.
Rose, you will go and watch your lit
tie sister while am out. Above all.
Go not leave her alone. You under
stand me? | forbid you to touch the
Matches"
She was silent for a, second or two.
then in louder voice, as if calling
some one: "Henriette!''
She waited bit, then began: ~Tell
your father to come and speak with
me before he goes off to his Office ~
and then again: 81 am not feeling well
today, my dear, promise me to come
back early. You must tell the propri-
etor that | am i'll. You see, it is dan.
gerous to leave the children alone
when | am in bed. l shall make for
your dinner good dish OF rice and
sugar. The little ones like IL SO
much. Claire will be happy.
She began to laugh. fresh, young
happy laugh-she who had never
laughed: Look at John, What a fun.
ny head he has! He is covered with
sticky candy,-the dirty little rogue.
Look, my dear, how funny he isl"
Colombel changed his lame leg to
rest it, murmUring: "She is dreaming
that she has children and husband
it is the death agony that begins
The two sisters, stunned and won
dering, did not move. The little maid
said, "Will you go into the parlor and
take off your shawls and hats?" They
went out without saying a word. And
Colombel followed them. limping, 1eav-
ing the dying woman alone.
When they had taken off their
shawls and hats the women sat down.
Then one of the cats left its place on
the window ledge, jumped into the
room, then up on Mrs. Guinness lap.
She began to caress it. The voice of
the dying woman could be heard, liv-
ing at this last hour the life that she
had longed for, without doubt, seeing
her dreams themselves at the moment
when was about to end for her.
Cunine played with little Joseph and
the dog out in the garden, enjoying
himself very much, forgetful of the
dying woman within the house. All
at once he went in and said to the
maid, "Tell me, girl, Won are surely
ging to get us some breakfast? What
will you have ,ladies?"
They were satisfied with an "omelet
aux fines herbes," filet of beef, new
potatoes, cheese and coffee. Mrs
Colombel felt in her pocket for her
purse; Cunine stopped her, turned to
the maid and said; "You ought to
have some money!"
She said: 81 have some"
Fifteen francs"
That is enough. Hurry, girl, be.
cause am hungry"
Mrs. Cunine looked out at the flow
ers bathed in the sunlight and at two
loving pigeons on the opposite room
and said with an annoyed air: ut is
unfortunate to have come under such
sad circumstances. 1t is so beautiful
in the country today"
Her sister sighed without answer
ing, and Colombel murmured, moved
perhaps by the idea of walk, MY leg
pains me terribly"
Little Joseph and the dog made a
deal of noise; one screamed WITH joy,
the other barked wildly. They play
ed at hideand-go-seek around the
three flower beds, running after each
other like two innocents.
The dying woman continued to call
her children, talking to each one,
imagining that she was dressing them,
that she caressed them or taught them
to read: "Come, Simon, Repeat after
me, A B c d. You do not say IL
right. Listen, Now, once again!"