Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1915-04-08
and his shadow fell across the two

Mime. Wales raised her hands. She
was going TO cry out, but somehow
she did not. Instead she managed 20
get to door; 1t opened into her
bedroom.
Put him here. Maurice. Can you
get q doctr7'
Beaujon laid Jean down on his
mothers bed. He patted Nine.
Valles' cheek so softly In his pity.
No Jean does not need doctor.
Mama Wales"
He went ont. closing the door on
the two. There was q 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 vas 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 paIlor She
ran to the kitchen and called Marie,
the young girl who assisted Nine.
Wales an kind OF underhousekeep-
err. to bring hot coffee at once.
They have brought home Nine.
Valles' son dead" she exclaimed,
"and think the man who brought
him 10 Ill. He looks 80 white"
Yes. mademoiselie," answered
Marie. Her hand shook 30 she kept
pouring the coffee into the saucer in
stead OF the cup.
Here" said Miss Dewey. Il viii
attend to that" She seized the coffee
pot and poured the coffee with q
steady hand. Nov you bring 4 basin
OF warm water to wash his feet. They
are bleeding and his stockings are cut
In shreds."
Yes. mademoiselle." answered Ma
rte 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 Beauton. TRY to take y little
OF this coffee. II will do you good"
Beauion lifted his heavy eyes to her
face. Thank you"
Marie came hurrying In with towels
and basin OF water and, kneeling
down. peeled or 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.
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.
ting his feet drop into her lap and
looking up pitifully at him.
Nov. shall have no husband.
He saw her poor. little. dropping
mouth. the woe In her eyes.
It was more than grief for Jean. Il
was desolation come upon her. The
issues OF life were cut or. She would
have no husband. ne cl ildren. Why
was ahe left wom1n?
This was what war did for women,
Bcaujon spoke with diflculty, for
his throat was tired Marie, Ii I i've
! will return and be your husband"
When she saw the kindness on his
face she bent forward and laid her
face against his breast. sobbing. He
patted her shoulder until she grew
quiet. Then he sad: 'tNow, must
DO going"
Miss Dewey was crying. too. She
ran out to get him another cup OF
coffee. What q good man." she
thought.
Mario knelt and dried his feet and
put . pair OF clean stockings on aim.
They were Papa Wales. as s.Ac also
the boots, she brought. Papa Wales
had gone to the war. too: and he was
. big man like Beaujon. not slight
like Jean. Jean was SO pretty--like
a girl Her tears fell more gently.
Beauion 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 us,"
She stood on the steps OF the hotel,
while Marie followed him to the road.
Wait" he said: Il was forgetting
something"
He thrust his hand into his pocket
and drew forth big key and gave II
to Marie. 1T 10 the key to my shop
II ] do not come back all Ii yours"
She took II a. . child might.
Yes" She kept her eyes fixed visit.
fully on Beaujon's face.
"Good.by," he said. and bent 10 kiss
her cheek: then suddenly drew her
into his arms and kissed her mouth.
"Good.by. my wite."
The blood coursed freely through
his veins once more. That kiss--so
fresh, 20 sweet--had revived him II
was as though Marie had become
stranger with whom he had fallen
In love at first sight.
Their lore sprang new born from
this moment: Il had no past. He went
on down the road with q swinging
step. his shoulders squared. The good
God meant well BY man. His hand
must be over this somehow-yes--
over Il all