The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1905-06-29

"You haven't forgotten me, then?"
| place to a look of agitation, of dis
| tress. She clasped her hands nervous
| ly and worked her fingers. A vision
of Burgundy and other dainties for
| her Pierre had suddenly foated across
| her vision
81 would give you a fair price for
the bird" the stranger went on. Il
would like to have it for my little
daughter. In fact, you may name
| your own price"
Pierre was about to repudiate the
offer again when he caught Babet's
eye. She was already speaking.
"And monsieur's little daughter
would be very good to the bird?" She
| lifted up her worn, gentle face, and
eyed him anxiously. Poor Pierre hest
tated and stumbled little before he
was able to stammer vaguely:
''You are going to sell our Chrysos-
tome, Babet?"
Eyes, yes" she said, decidedly But
she gave her head a sort of helpless
nod, and looked down at her blue
apron.
The artist paid double the sum
| named, and said he would send
servant that afternoon to claim his
purchase.
u hen the servant arrived at the
chalet with the bird, the cage was
placed in a iacge window in one OF
the drawins.-rooGss<Th The window open
ed to the sun and to the fragrance and
greenery of the garden. But not
note. not soundt came from the mel
ancholy thrush It dropped and hung
it's head as if mouIting. They fed,
they whistled, they coaxed; but It re-
NAMED motionless and moping.
The artist was indignant. He Had
not really pressed the old people to
sell their bird; he had given them
double the sum named and now! IL
was not in his nature to be suspicious
but it certainly looked as it another
thrush had been palmed off upon him
in place Of the magnificent songster
he had heard that morning.
However, he gave the bird several
days trial. At length, patience was
exhausted, and he sent for its late
owner to demonstrate with him upon
his deception.
Pierre trudged heavily into the
room, hat in hand, and the artist turn
ed around, armed with some righteous
| rebuke.
But neither he nor Pierre was al
| lowed to speak; for no sooner had
| the old man made his appearance IN
| the room than the thrush leaped down
! from it's perch, tapped it's wings JOY
ously and burst into so triumphant
a song that the whole room seemed to
vibrate with it's melody.
What Chrysostome, lie jolt Chrysos-
tome" said the old man. going up
close to the wicker cage, you haven't
forgotten me, them
Forgotten him, indeed! The bird
extended it's slender body, expanded
its soft chest and filled it's little lungs.
It's song of greeting rose upon the
yoluble air with the splendor OF in
visible color and the artist found him.
self thinking. And all the while 1t
kept moving from side to side in the
cage-dancing with joy, one might
say.
Yes. there could be no doubt about
it; it was the same bird that had Sc
charmed the ears of the artist and is
little daughter at the foot OF the hill
near Champrosay. But. like the He
brew captives, it had not been able
to sing it's songs in strange land.
"You can have your bird, my ole
man." the artist said with a smile
And then, to Carolyn:
1--WE would not part such loving
friends for boxes of bon-bons. would
we, dear?"
, So of together they trudged, happ!
. Pierre and Chrysostome, ChTysos
tome still in full song. And Babe
wept for Joy at taear return.-Nsv
, York Press. - -