The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1908-01-10

and then they penetrated into the
sands which began to roll down CON.
tinually, filling up the shaft.
Haggard and grim, the workmen
persisted for q time, but soon they
threw down their tools in despair and
the band dispersed. CIaudine was left
alone upon the ravaged ground amid
the results Of the abortive labors.
broken, inert, feeling only one de-
sire within her-the wish that she
were dead.
"Claudine,' whispered voice near
her.
She recognized one Of the quarry
men; she knew that his name was
Pierre, and remembered having seen
him at work with the others. He
showed his callous hands, his soiled
clothing; and suddenly. before he had,
spoken, as she saw the look Of gentle
sadness which he gave her, she burst
into fit of tears.
He, finding nothing to say, knelt be-
side her, allowing her to weep. only
pressing the young woman's hand the
tighter at each sob, with an express
sion of anguish on his face.
Gradually she became calm. She
heard him saying things the mean
ing of which escaped her., leaving her
only the sensation of vague and
very gentle murmur that lulled her
into childlike docility. And she suf-
fered herself to be led away, almost
unconscious, he, full of precautions
and attentions, addressing her in
caressing tones, as though she were
an invalid, while, from time to time
also, she stopped to heave long signs
that suddenly broke into tears, after
which her head would drop upon the
mans shoulder.
Days passed. The quarrymen were
lost, and undiscoverable, dead, 1t was
declared, crushed by the rocks. This
thought was a satisfaction to Claud-
inc. In the long idle hours in which
these things were talked over, she
listened silently, in mournful atti-
tudes, finding gradually a soothing
charm in being pitied. Little by lit
! tie she seemed to awake as from a.
! long sleep, and to return from great
distance; and at the same time, in
sensib1y, the exigencies of life pre-
scented themselves to her mind; she
began to live again, with the progress
siye growth of slow fear, that of
poverty and solitude.
Then she became interested in the
news, in the subscriptions opened for
the relief of the victims. And sud-
! denly she had feeling of rest, al
most of Joy, when Pierre, returning
from the city, told her that the sums
subscribed were sufficient to warrant
an annuity for the widows, and that
she had been allowed one of 600
francs.
Then, idle and patiently awaiting
events, she daily returned to the quar-
ries Often Pierre accompanied her,
with his accustomed gentleness. There
they spoke in low voices and walked
with muffled tread, respectful of the
grave. In these habitual visits as to
a cemetery, where both went, over
i the hillside, through the melancholy
4 of the thick woods, under the per-
petual influence of the same thoughts.
Claudines tears gradually ceased to
flow. Insensibly they arrived at con-
versations and slow and gentle rever-
les In which new possibilities began
to shape themselves.
Gradually a weight was lifted from
the young woman's breast; the hori-
zon, long confined, enlarged about
her, and in the trembling dawn Of a
new future there was new and in
defnable impression that grow rap
idly in the penetrating charm of ST.
lence. Little by little, in the heat
of summer, under the breath of the
trees, her sorrow wore away, and Ia
inevitable death vanished in the dis.
lance. while slowly, like sap, new
love grew up that irradiated and en-
yeloped them, but of which they
dared not speak, out of respect for
the grave which enabled them to med
itate.
"Claudine." said the man at last.
Pierre"
/ Suppose We marry?"
1T has been only two months Z,
said she, suddenly becoming sad.
ooh, ! do not hurry YOU I meant
later would your"
| Yes she sighed, later"
Thenceforth it was an understood
thing between them. upon which their
thought centered more and more, ac-
cording the dead only friendly mem
DRY, feeling of tender gratitude.
They began to make plans. They
wandered about in their accustomed
walks with the manners of open loy-
ers; and soon. upon the hillside tomb,
amid the entwinings of the flowers,
laughter was heard. and then kisses.
One evening they went among the