The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-03-26

Then she tried to sleep hut her eyes would
not close.
Through the thin partition she heard the
mother talking IN whispers with the little
girl who had been wakened by the
strangers coming and who did not wish TO
go 10 sleep again. The mother rocked her,
soothing her with caresslng words that
strangely affected Ia Bretonne.
This outburst 81 tenderness awoke a con-
fused instinct Of motherhood in the breast
Of the peasant woman once sentenced for
killing her newborn baby. La Bretonne
remembered that If things had not turned
out 80 badly" her own little one would have
been the age Of this child.
At the thought and the sound Of the low
whispering she shuddered. A fash of
heart and she longed 70 be able to weep.
Come, little one, said the mothers voice,
coa1tngly, hasten now and 90 TO sleep.
II you are good, will take YOU tomorrow
10 the fair Of Saint Catherinel"
That is the fair for little girls, isn't it.
Yes, my treasure
And il il true, mamma. that on that day
SAINT Catherine brings toys 70 little boys
and girls2'
Yes, sometimes "
Then, why hash the good saint ever
brought any to our hmise3"
Hush, dearest one. think IL must be
because we live 80 far away. And, then,
We are too poor.
Does she bring them only to rich peo-
pie, mamma? ! wonder why? 1 should
like 70 have some playthings, too
An we'll Some day perhaps, II You arc
good and go 70 sleep quickly, perhaps Saint
Catherine will bring YOU some.
DO You think ~ really Then / will 20
To sleep night away, 40 she can give them
70 me tomorrow"
There was silence. Then low. even
breathing. The child had fallen asleep and
the mother with her.
Only Ia Bretonne was still awake. An
emotion both tender and painful throbbed
in her heart and abe thought more than
ever Ut the tiny boy who had lain for but
a moment in her arm.
Thus the night passed and the gray light
81 the dawn stole through the narrow win
dow. When the sun rose the mother and
the little girl were stall aaeap. Ia Bra-
tonne rose qui tly from her bed Of heather
and pushing open the door, stepped out
side.
Hastily she walked hack over the wea y
mile that she had travelled the night before.
returning in the direction Of Aubariva
Not once did sha pause until she reached
the hrst houses Of the town. Then, walk
ing along the single street she looked
closely at all tho store windows
AZ length one seemed 20 strike her at
tentlon. knocking at the door, she called
20 the shopkeeper 10 open 10. In the win
dow, among the calicns and ribbons and
toys, rag dolls Noah's arlSs and stuffed ami
mails.
The tradesman appeared and to his great
astonishment his early morning customer
bought AL the toys in the shop, paid for
them and went ont
Her bundle under her arm. La Bretonne
once more turned In the direction NJ the
little hin on the way 60 Langres. Suddenly
a heavy hand fell upon her shoulder.
She started and trembled 70 see at her
side an officer of the guard ~ police. The
unhappy woman had forgotten the strictly
eaforoed rule that newly discharged pris-
oners may not linger IN the vicinity Of the
jail
why are you not al tanRres, where YOU
belong, instead OF lingering here2- de-
manuel the officer ssve4ely Come now.
star along"
Ia Bretonne tried in vain 70 explain.
II was useless IN the twinkiing Of an eve
wagon was procured. the woman was
hfted 10 her seat beside q policeman and the