The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1908-05-01
md gross face Of Madame savarfn
appeared in the doorway, behind Lu.

lcette.
Ohio, is it thus you keep faith with
Your soldier. coquette?" she said, as
the girl drew back and went crimson
as q rose. LOT q truth, this monster
has bewitched you, and it were time,
indeed, that the government gave the
conscript his release. To the stye
with you-to the stye!" she added,
| turning upon Anatole and making the
sign of the cross as she met the fixed
look of his appraised eyes. Il will not
have an accursed thing like you set
ting foot near home Of mine!"
"Mere!" began lucette, in tone Of
shocked entreaty; but the virago who
had made life uncomfortable for her
father pushed her aside with angry We.
hemence and spat out the venom of
her tongue in gust of expletives.
Got" she screeched, turning again
upon the cripple, and pointing with
one greasy hand down the long length
OF the street. "Of truth will shrek
for sergeant de vile to drag You
away if you do not go at once. Thou
thing of horror! Thou beast of evil
omen! Nom de Dieu! why was such a
creature suffered to live and bring
curses in its wake? But for you. &C.
cursed, your mother had been happy
/ woman, and Louis had been here to
care for her, for the government may
not take as conscript. nor hold in
the army if it has so taken, the only
| n a v0yir1 1,o l><> lr..1
support"
is that the truth? Is that the
law?' he quavered forth in his thin,
high-pitched voice, and with some
thing in his eyes that was like to the
look OF bewildered pain in the eyes of
shot bird. Mere de Dieu! have |
been such burden, such curse, as
that? But for me, the poor mothers
peace! But for me, Lucette's happi.
ness
Mere Gironde was lying all alone in
the little, hot room, with the dusk of
the evening cleaning in the corners.
when the door was pushed open and
the cripple came into the ROOM
"Anatole, my hearts own, is 1t you
already?" she said, making light of
the long, weary time he had been
gone, lest he should think she had
wanted for something "Of truth,
you must be the bearer of happy news
to come back so quickly, dear?"
And then, while he held her hands
and swayed his great head and
laughed for very gladness, he told her
of the message Lucette had sent, and
OF the happiness that was coming to
them with the coming night.
This, then, is the explanation of all
those packages the commissionaire
brought two hours ago. He could tell
me nothing but that they were sent
here to the care of Madame Gironde,
and he went away. leaving them on
the table yonder."
They are Lucette's tools and pat,
terms, and the little Walls of color she
uses to tint the flowers" said Anatole,
| going over to the window and exam.
lining the contents of the packages.
OF sudden his mother spoke, call.
ing his attention to the sound of foot.
steps coming up the stairs, and Lu-
cette ran into the room.
After a brief chat, Anatole fitted
the crutches to his shoulders and
made his way to the room he had
prepared for Lucette. He was alb.
sent for minute or more, but when
he returned his face was like dead
face, so pale it was, and in his hand
| he held the cruciflx which he hail
set upon the mantelshelf so short a
time ago.
This is for you,' he said, putting
it into Lucette's hand. 1T is all 1
have on earth to give, and l give it to
you and Louis. Put out the light. and
let us sit together in the darkness,
my mother and you and L.
He blew cat the light without wait
ing for her to give sanction, and, seat.
ing himself upon the bed beside his
mother, laid aside his crutches, some
thing tinkling to the floor as he
did SO.
What is that, Anatole, beloved?"
Mere Gironde inquired as she heard
the sound. 1T was like glass. Have
you knocked over one of my medicine
vials?"
Very Nkely." he answered in Il
shaking voice. Il am clumsy tonight,
mere, and upset things easily. How
sweet is the darkness! My eyes
ache, and the light hurts them. .Lu-
cette-oh, dear Lucette!-will You
hold my hand awhile, and-and let me
Kiss you as l asked? All, do, for
this one only time in life"
"Oh, soul of kindness, how good Of
you, how good!" he said. Now, you,
mere. now you!" And, still holding
Lucette's hand, he bent over and kissed
his mother.
''Ah, it has been long, long dag
and am SO tired, so tired. Let me
lie still awhile with my face in the
curve of your neck. mere, as used to
when you were strong and well. Now
put your arm around me, and hold me
close-clcse. VIII it weary you, dear
T h 81. a. 49,