The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1915-04-09
and mis- shadow fell across the two

was going to cry out, but somehow
she did not. Instead she managed to
get to door; it opened into her
bedroom.
Put him here, Maurice. Can you
| get a doctor?"
! Beaujon laid Jean down on his
mothers bed. He patted Nine
Wales cheek so softly in his pity.
mo. Jean does not need a doctor,
Mama Wales"
He went out, closing the door on
the two. There was a stranger in
he dining room, and he remembered
Nine. Wales did not like curious eyes.
He sat down in the first chair he
reached, exhausted.
The guest in the hotel was an
American-Miss Dewey. She had ex-
pected to join friends in Berlin. She
Kept saying to herself that she had
never expected this war when she
went abroad
When she saw Beaujon's pallor she
ran to the kitchen and called Marie,
the young girl who assisted Nine.
Wales as kind of underhousekeep-
er, to bring hot coffee at once.
They have brought home Nine
Wales son dead" she exclaimed,
and l think the man who brought
him is i'll. He looks so white
Yes, mademoiselle," answered
Marie. Her hand shook so she kept
pouring the coffee into the saucer in
stead of the cup
Here" said Miss Dewey. 81 will
attend to that" She seized the coffee
pot and poured the coffee with a
steady hand. Now you bring basin
of warm water to wash his feet. They
are bleeding and his stockings are cut
in shreds.'
Yes, mademoiselle," answered Ma
RE please tell me-where is Jean ?"
His mother has him in her room
She has shut the door Hurry with
that basin, Marie" Miss Dewey went
back to Beaujon. TRY to take a little
of this coffee. It will do you good"
Beaujon lifted his heavy eyes to her
face. Thank you.'
Marie came hurrying in with towels
and basin of water and, kneeIing
down, peeled off the ragged stockings
with tender fingers. She was young
and dark and richly colored.
Suddenly she pressed Beaujon's |
bare feet to her bosom, sobbing,
while she murmured: MY Jean. nv
Jean!"
She was to have married Jean
Wales in the autumn.
BeauJon's brows contracted with |
pity. Poor Marie," he said. Poor
Marie." His mind seemed entirely
clear again.
The coffee helped him He watched
her as she sat back on her heels, let
ing his feet drop into her lap and
cooking up pitifully at him.
Now, / shall have no husband"
he saw her poor, little, dropping
mouth, the woe in her eyes.
1t was more than grief for Jean. 1t +
vas desolation come upon her. The
ssues of life were cut off. She would
lave no husband. no children. Why
vas she left woman?
This was what war did for women,
Beaujon spoke with difficulty, for
lis throat was tired. Marie, if / live
will return and be your husband"
When she saw the kindness on his
ace she bent forward and laid her
ace against his breast. sobbing. He
atted her shoulder until she grew
uiet. Then he said: Now, must
e going"
Miss Dewey was crying. too. She
an out TO get him another cup of
Office. What a good man." she
bought.
Marie knelt and dried his feet and
ut pair of clean stockings on him.
hey We're Papa Wales, as were also
he boots, she brought. Papa Wales
ad gone to the war, too; and he was
big man like Beaujon, not slight
Ike Jean. Jean was so pretty-like
girl. Her tears fell more gently.
Beaujon pulled on the boots. He
'se and shook hands with Miss
ewey. "Good-by," he said. when
)u return to your own country re-
ember us
She stood on the steps of the hotel,
lille Marie followed him to the road.
Wait" he said; Il was forgetting
mething"
He thrust his hand into his pocket III
ID drew forth a big key and gave it IL
Marie. 1T is the key to my shop u
do not come back all is yours"
She took it as a child might
es.' She kept her eyes fixed visit VI
lily on Beaujon's face. VI
'Good-by.7 he said, and bent to kiss
r cheek; then suddenly drew her III
% his arms and kissed her mouth
ood-by, my wifet" M
The blood coursed freely through e'
veins once more. That kiss-so az
sh. so sweet-had revived him. 1t ~
6 as though Marie had become a 40
anger with whom he had fallen
love at first sight.
Their love sprang new born from
S moment: 1t had no past. He went sa
down the road with a swinging fri
p, his shoulders squared The good lea
d meant we'll by man. His hand
st be over this somehow-yes-l mi
II it all res