The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1904-09-03

Now, while the wind strengthened
and the softly booming summer shower
came on apaCe, the heavy cloud lifting
as II advanced and showing under IL
the dark gray sheet of the rain, Pcrc
Berct and Alice sat under the clap
board roof behind the vines of the We
randa and discussed what was gener-
ally uppermost In the priests mind
upon such occasions, the good of Alice's
immortal soul II subject not absorbing.
~ interesting TO her ut any time.
"Ah, my child" he was saying. you
are sweet. good girl. after all. much
better than you make yourself out to
be. Your duty will control you You
Will do 1t nobly at last my child"
True enough, Father Bcrct. true
enough she responded, laughing.
Your perception is most excellent.
which will prove to you Immediately"
She rose while speaking and went
Into the house
IL will return in minute or two"
she called back from region which
Ferc Berct well knew was that of the
pantry: Don't get inpatient and 20
away
Perc Bcret laughed softly ut the pre-
poStcrous suggestion that he would
even dream of going out in the rain,
which was now roaring heavily on the
loose board roof. and miss cut OF
cherry pie - cherry pie of Aicc's
making! And the Roussillon claret,
too, was always excellent. "Ah, child"
he thought, your old father is not go
Ing away"
She presently returned. bearing on a
wooden tray n ruby stained pie and a
short stout bottle nankcd by two
glasses.
"Of course I'm better than | some
times appear to be-" she said almost
humbly, but with mischief still in her
voice and eyes, "and shall get to be
very good when have grown old. The
sweetness Of my present nature Is in
this pie"
She set the tray on three legged
stool which she pushed close to him.
There, now" she said, "let the rain
come. You'll be happy, rain or shine.
while the pie and wine last, I'll be
bound"
Pere Beret fell to eating right heart
lily, meantime handing Jean liberal
piece of the luscious pie.
1T Is good my daughter, very good
indeed" the priest remarked with his
mouth full mime. Roussilon has not
neglected your culinary education"
Alice filled Il glass for him. 1t was
Bordeaux and very fragrant. The bou-
quet reminded him of his sunny boy
hood in France, of his journey up to
Paris and of his careless, joy brlmmed
youth in the gay city. How far away
how misty, yet how thrillingly sweet it
all was! He sat with half closed eyes
awhile. slipping and dreaming.
The rain lasted nearly two hours, but
the sun was out again when Perc
Beret took leave of his young friend.
| They had been having another good
natured quarrel over the novels, and
Mime. Roussillon had come out on the
veranda to join In.
Eve hidden every book of them"
said madame, stout and swarthy
woman, whose pearl white teeth were
her only mark Of beauty. Her voice
indicated great stubbornness.
Good, good; you have done your
very duty, madame" said Perc Beret,
with immense approval in his charm
ing voice.
But, father, you said awhile ago
that | should have my own way about
this" Alice spoke up with spirit, land
on the strength of that remark Of
yours | gave you the pie and wine.
You've eaten my pie and swigged the
wine, and now
Pere Berct put on his straw cap, ad
dome out of which had come so many
thoughts of wisdom, kindness and hu-
man sympathy. This done, he gently
laid hand on Alice's bright crown Of
hair and said:
Bless you. my child. | will pray to
the Prince of Peace for you as long as
l live, and | will never cease TO beg
the Holy Virgin to intercede for you
and lead you to the holy church"
He turned ana went away, but when
he was no farther than the gate Alice
called out:
"Oh, Father Beret, forgot to show
you sOmethingr'
She ran forth to him and added In a
low tone:
"Hou know that Nine. Roussillon has
hidden all the novels from me-"
She was fumbling to get something
out of the loose front of her dress.
well, just take glance Mt this, will
your and she showed him n little
leather bound volume, much cracked
along the hinges of the back.
Pere Beret frowned and went his
way shaking his head, but before he
reached his little hut near the church
he was laughing in spite of himself.
"Shes not so bad, not so bad" he
thought aloud; it's only her young,
independent spirit taking the bit for
wild run. In her sweet soul she is as
good rs she is pure"
CHAPTER II.
A LETTER FROM AFFAIR.