The Mercur miner. [volume] (Mercur, Utah) 1895-1913, 1905-09-13


sion, vacant just then. The inclosin,
wall made semiclrcle. which wal
furnished like small park with som,
benches. one could sit here withou
being seen from the road.
Tortillon, about to avail herself OF
one Of these, drew back startled. A
child was there playing with flowers
which she scattered over the benches
In graceful profusion, or made into
bouquets Never was an angel more
beautiful Great, blue eyes she had
a rosebud mouth parted in laughter
her shoulders were bare-soft, white
and dimpled: and. to crown all, a
wealth of long blond curls tumbled
| about her face over her shoulders.
The unhappy bcggar stifed cry in
her throat Then she stood immovable
bewitched with admiration. The child
II she should see her, would try to es-
cape like a bird from a snake, no doubt
| The eye Of Tortllon-wide open. full OF
light charged with magnetism-dwelt
on the divine face Of the child. The
latter still played, without looking up.
An intense desire. irresistible. furious.
took possession Of the beggar. At last
she could not restrain herself longer.
casting about her look, jealous and
defiant, She saw that the road was de-
serted. There was no one TO disturb
her. All, what joy Illuminated her
facet
But at this moment the little girl saw
her, uttered cry and tried to Zee.
calling for help. The unhappy woman.
dropping her stick fell despairingly on
her knees. Her eyes had a look so
sweet. so suppllant, so angelic. indeed.
that the child, surprised and conquered,
stood waiting for what might happen.
TortillOn, overcome with Joy. adj
dressed TO heaven silent tribute Of
thankfulness, and plunged into few
cred ecstasy; she seemed spellbound
by the child.
Unfortunately, II was an intoxicntlon
that demanded to be satiated by still
depeer intoxicatlon. The little girl cast
shy glances at the hunchback from
time TO time. The latter beckoned her
nearer. There was now such gentle
ness in the beggar's eyes-such love.
such beauty-that her hideousness
seemed to disappear. and the child was
treasured
what is your name?" asked Tortll-
lon
'Lucette GARNER"
The poor woman seemed to hesitate
then formed n sudden resolution.
'Lucette, would you do me a great
charity"
"Ah, yes; but I have not n SOU"
A tear fell on Tortillon's cheek.
"That is not the charity | mean"
Lucette. who did not understand how
one could give aims without sous, was
silent. Tortlllon crept nearer and,
softening her voice, as well as her eyes.
said: will you kiss me?"
Her plaintive tone. and the effort she
made in saying this. would have
touched n savage. Nevertheless. the
little girl recoled filled with fright.
Sobs burst from the mendicnnt's
throat. Speeches., Lucette felt that
she was going to weep also. Tortilon
saw this, and made an effort to con-
troll herself.
81 do not know how to tell you. yet
I must Lucette. there is not in the
whole world anything more beautiful
than little chidren-than You. To-day,
I'm this sunlight. they are divine. Lu-
cette | would give my life II Won
would kiss me. This desire has been
nj 4 ,,,,
derstand. perhaps - no one has ever
kissed me-no one. have imagined
that | would faint from joy II were
to ser child's arms stretched toward
me-if | were TO receive n kiss from
its little mouth. am not old | am
frightful, that is ALL but have a heart.
All could | hut be a mother-to have
child would be mad with JOY"
Lucette. amazed. looked at Tortilllon
without fully understanding what she
said; but singular emotion disturbed
her, and in her eyes was a great pity.
81 do not wish to die without having
been kissed by child" the wretched
woman continued, with great intensity.
at must be n wonderful sensation
delicious--lke something from para
disc. That is why run after the little
ones. Fools say that IL is because /
wish to kill them--that l am n witch.
To kill theml A witch! All. II were
a witch should desire that woods.
roads and the whole world were filed
with children. If I were witch.
Lucette, I'm order TO thank you for hav-
ing listened. would make you queen
Kiss me, beg you. Do not look at me
so-but kiss me-"
She stretched her arms toward the
child. In her celestial eyes was so
much duplication that Lucette, con
quered, drew nearer. What contrast
there was between the sweet child
and that horrible creature. However,
the little one put forward her sweet
face and slightly touched Tortillon's
forehead with her lips.
Tortillon. then all trembling, wrapped
Lucette In her arms, and covered her
with kisses.
Al the same instant the poor woman
heard something hiss through the air
near her quick ms lightning. She re-