Sioux County pioneer. (Fort Yates, Sioux County, N.D.) 1914-1929, 1915-04-02
ana mis- shadow fell across the two

was going to cry out, but somehow
she did not. Instead she managed 70
get to a door; it opened into her
bedroom.
Put him here, Maurice. Can you
get 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 Valles"
He went out, closing the door on
the two. There was 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 Reauion's pallor she
ran to the kitchen and called Marie,
the young girl who assisted Nine.
Wales as a kind of underhousekee
er, to bring hot coffee at once.
They have brought home Nine.
Valles' son dead" she exclaimed,
land 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 a 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 little
of this coffee. 1t 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, kneeling
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, my
Jean!"
She was to have married Jean
Wales in the autumn.
Beaulon'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.
ting his feet drop into her lap and
looking up pitifully at him.
Now. I shall have no husband -
He saw her poor, little. dropping
mouth. the woe in her eyes.
1t was more than grief for Jean. II
was desolation come upon her. The
issues of life were cut off. She would
have no husband. no children. WHY
was she left woman?
This was what war did for women.
Beauion spoke with difficulty, for
his throat was tired Marie, if / live
l will return and be your husband"
When she saw the kindness OH his
face she bent forward and laid her
face against his breast, sobbing. He
patted her shoulder until she grew
quiet. Then he said: Nov, must
be going.''
Miss Dewey was crying, too. She
ran out to get him another cup of
coffee. What good man." sho
thought.
Marie lSnelt and dried his feet and
put pair of clean stockings on him.
They were Papa Wales, as were also
the boots, she brought. Papa Wales
had gone to the war, too: and he was
a big man like Beauion, not slight
like Jean. Jean was so pretty-like
a girl Her tears fell more gently.
Beaujon pulled on the boots. He
rose and shook hands with Miss
Dewey. "Good-by." he said. when
you return to your own country re-
member u.s."
She stood on the steps of the hotel,
while Marie followed him to the road.
Wait" he said; II was forgetting
something"
He thrust his hand into his pocket
and drew forth a big key and gave it
to Marie. at is the key to my shop
If | do not come back all is yours"
She took it as child might.
Yes" She kept her eyes fixed visit
fully on Beaujon's face.
"Good-by,'' he said. and bent to kiss
her cheek: then suddenly drew her
into his arms and kissed her mouth.
'Good-by, my wife!"
The blood coursed freely through
his veins once more. That kiss-so
fresh, so swcet-had revived him. It
was as though Marie had become
stranger with whom he had fallen
in love at first sight.
Their love sprang new born from
this moment: it had no past. He went
off down the road with swinging
step, his shoulders squared. The good