The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-27
~ II. shadow fell across the two

and his shadow fell across the two
women. Che
Nine Wales raised her hands. one
was going to cry out. but someno"
sbe did not. Instead she managed u
get to a door; it opened into ne'
bedroom. or
"Put him here, Maurice. Can you
get doctor?" 81,
Beaujon laid Jean down on MS
mothers bed. He patted Mnne'
Wales cheek so softly in his pity.
mo. Jean does not need doctor'
Mama Wales"
| He went out, closing the door on
the two. There was a stranger III
he dining room, and he remembered
Nine. Wales did not like curious eyes
He sat down in the first chair No
reached, exhausted.
The guest in the hotel was an
American-Miss Dewey. She had ex-
pected to join friends in Berlin. ohe
kept saying to herself that she nad
never expected this war when sne
1
went abroad.
When she saw Beaujon's pallor sne
ran to the kitchen and called Marie
the young girl who assisted NINE
Wales as a kind of underhousekeep'
er. to bring hot coffee at once.
"They have brought home NINE
Valles' son dead" she exclaimed.
land I think the man who brought
him is Ill. He looks SO white"
Eyes, mademoiselle," answered
Marie. Her hand shook so she kept
pouring the coffee into the saucer IN
stead Of the cup. 49,,
Here" said Miss Dewey. Il will
attend to that" She seized the co1ee
Dot 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."
Eyes, mademoiselle," answered Ma
RE. please tell me-where is Jean!"
Ills 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. II will do you good"
i Beaujon lifted his heavy eyes to her
face. Thank you"
Marie came hurrying in with towels
and a 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
Jeah!"
She vas 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.
1t was more than grief for Jean. II
was desolation come upon her. The
issues Of life we're cut of. She would
have no husband, no children. Why
was she left woman?
This was what war did for women
Beaujon spoke with difficulty, fol-
thPaot u q
l will return and be your husband"
When she saw the kindness on hi.
face she bent forward and laid hel
face against his breast, sobbing. H,
patted her shoulder until she grew
quiet. Then he said: "Now, I mus
be going"
Miss Dewey was crying, too. Sh,
ran out to get him another cup O
coffee. What a good man." sh,
thought.
Marie knelt and dried his feet an,
put pair Of clean stockings on him
They were Papa Wales, as were ais,
. the boots. she brought Papa Vale
had gone to the war, too and he wa
!. big man like Beaujon. not sligh
like Jean. Jean was so pretty-lik
girl Her tears fell more gently.
|, Beaujon pulled on the boots. H
J rose and shook hands with Mis-
2 Dewey. "Good-by." he said. "Whe,
you return to your own country r.
member u.s."
She stood on the steps Of the hote
while Marie followed him to the road
o Wait he said; 81 was forgettin
something"
p He thrust his hand into his poke
and drew forth big key and gave
to Marie. ut is the key to my shor
" II l DO not come back all is yours"
Ia She took It as a child miph
!. Yes" She kept her eyes fixed wis
% fully on Beaujon's face.
Good.by." he said. and bent to kis
y her cheek; then suddenly drew he
Into his arms and kissed her moutl
- "Good.by. my wife,"
% The blood coursed freely throu.
his veins once more. That kiss
- fresn, 90 sweet-had revived him.
- was a. though Marie had become
u stranger with whom he had falle
In love at first sight.
II Their love sprang new born fro,
:. this moment: 1t had no past. He wer
- on down the road with a swinein
"a step. his shoulders squared. The goo
u TOD meant we'll by man. His han
must be over this somehow-yes-
10 over It all.
70 where Is his shop, Marie?" asso