Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1910-06-10

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" Il was Father O'Mara who lifted
the crumpled little form from the
ii forest mold. He reached her side
even before L'Acadienne, and
that was quickly indeed. He bore her
back to Valette, and he and the one
old servant left Of the many of other
days did what they could for her. She
came TO herself at length. Round,
wondering eyes opened. But she said
no word; only little moan passed her
lips.
Father O'Mara brought the candle
closer. Round eyes turned up to his.
He started back. for in those eyes
there was no expression save a great
emptiness. He shivered little. Old
Louise crossed herself.
"The soul is gone" she cried. "God
be merrifr to us!'
1t was 10 more than day and a
night ere she was able to rise from
the bed. She seemed to know people
their faces: she seemed to know her
surroundings. She did not suffer. for
there was neither pain nor joy nor of
that which lies between. All was a
great emptiness and nothing more.
Father O'Mara. his heart pain wrung.
spent much time with her-much hope
less. helpless. cruelty rewardless time
Old Louise waited on her ceaselessly.
Her father knew that she was there,
vet he came not to see her. and he
forbade those of his household to go
except Louise.
They spoke Of NJ. de valette, did the
old organist and the priest. who came
to visit the girl.
"A strange hearted man-monsieur,"
mused O'AIarq He must take care.
AS We do unto these little ones"
"Strance hearted" repeated Le-
maitre. wagging his old head. I'm the
night you can hear him walking
walking-all night. Then you hear tho
door open and close. and he has gone
out to the chapel again to set fresh
candles on the altar. Seventeen he
keeps there, always. Strange heart
ed!'
He turned to go. Some one. passing
without, cut the sunlight from, the win
dow. He looked. then turned back
aghast.
otis Mile. Marguerite!" he cried.
'Tf she finds out that I've been here
Father O'Mara indicated another
door.
Go out that way. them" he said.
Mile. de Yalette came with the 9TH
er's going. Father O'Mara greeted
her.
She said crisply:
1--WE suspect Lemaitre of having been
here"
THAT Is" observed Father OMara,
you suspect one member of your
household Of having a good heart"
at is a question Of obedience. Our
household Obeys my brother"
Even when he Is wrong" There
was q trace of bitterness in the priests
tone.
She said coldly:
"In what touches the honor Of his
family my brother cannot be wrong"
"ls it your heart that speaks" que
ried O'Mara slowly, ''Or your head"
The color rose to her cheeks.
81 cannot listen," she declared quick
ly. And then. 81 came here to dis
cover
You came to find out" he inter-
rupted, IF that old servant of yours
had heart. so that your brother could
punish MIN for it. Well, you shall not
90 until you have seen what your
brothers kind of honor has done to
the most honorable Of all the De Va
lettes."
"I'li not stay" she cried.
"You will!'
you're wrong to compel me to do
thisp' she expostulated agitatedly.
"And If what they say Of her in the
village is true
"What is that"
''That her mind" she began hesitat-
ingly; then, "I'm afraid!
"Afraidr' he said slowly. 1T is
only little white butterfly that has
broken It's wings"
He might have said more. But then
she came-the little figure that they
had tortured the Oil from. She came
slowly into the room. and calmly, and
the great emptiness might have been
a great peace had one not known.
Under her breath her aunt cried,
my niece" And then, as she came
nearer, this slender figure with the
empty eyes. she said:
you know me"
Empty eyes turned to her. Empty
voice answered:
Eyes; you're Aunt Marguerite"
you looked at me as though were
stranger. All. to think you brought
this suffering on yourself"
Empty voice said slowly. evenly:
"Suffering?"
"She does not suffer-" declared
0Mara. Her very incapacity for
pain is her disease. If only she could
feel, even to suffer! The day that
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