Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-18
CHAPTER IX-(Continuedl

CHAPTER K-(Continuedl
I n such spirited fashion was the busi-
L ness OF homeless Evang eline Beau
lieu prosecuted for her. Such zeal
requires its reward. A half.hour later
Father Leclair came down the hill,
slowly, calm and content in his heart.
A new teacher had been engaged for
the summer term OF the big school
on his recommendation.
The woman came from her door
again.
This time will come in. for | have
business with YOU Madame Ouillette,"
he said before she could speak again
OF her own business. The big school
has just hired very fine young maid
from St. Basil, as new teacher, and
she will be pleased to engage room
in Your house and buy her food from
you. shall bring her here, eh?"
He was indoors as he finished speak.
ing.
That is good news" she said, but
her face had suddenly lost its smile
-
widow needs the few pennies she
can earn. 1t is good news" She rolled
toil-stained hands in her apron. She
sighed. "It must be because of this
he has been smiling"
Father Leclair understood. As real
pastor of his flock sharer Of the
secrets of his people he understood.
He frowned momentarly. then he
chuckled. lie drew his spectacles from
their case and hooked them across his
nose. He peered up at huge por-
trait on the wall-a crude thing done
on Bristol-board with crayons.
"Yes, he smiles today agreed
Father Leclair.
Something else had happened. It
was not about the new teacher! He
has been smiling for some days. /
was to ask you about it, father. But
I suppose the good news you have
brought is why he has been smiling.
Her disappointment was evident.
The priest examined the warped pic.
ture with which moisture and sun had
played it's pranlis for 50 long.
This time it was a fine smile she
went on, wistfully. But it must have
been about the new teacher"
'Ah. l see there has been another
suitor, Madame Ouillette. II was ON
that affair you called me, eh?'
ut is Napoleon Lajeunesse, the
brave riverman. He thinks he will
leave the river and settle in Attegat
He has spoken to me-
Father Leclair gazed up again, Ju-
dicially. at the features of the departed
Monsieur Ouillette. He always hu-
mored the vagaries OF his poor people
did Father LeclaIr. He did not scoff at
the little superstitions. In the case
Of the simple-hearted folks, the honest
and the great faith is often built on
the foundation OF the little supersti-
tions. For ten years he had humored
Madame Ouillette in her belief as to
the haunted portrait" He had been
called to translate for her its demonia-
cal scowls. it's placid resignation, its
grotesque grins. With a few brusque
words he could have destroyed her
comforting belief that the spirit OF the
departed Ouillette was with her TO
counsel and TO understand for her
with spiritual misunderstanding his
pictured face to make her know. But
Father Leclair, indulgent and tactful
with the children OF his flock. did not
MI,
tions away from his people.
And, in the past, he found that the
picture had helped him in winning
the lonely widow-too credulous, too
soft.hearted-away from suitors whom
he, in his wider knowledge OF men,
did not approve.
II think good friend Xavier smiles
because he knows that the girl who is
coming will be sunshine in your lonely
house. Madame OuiIlette. For is it
not settled that shall bring her? As
to Lajeunesse. we shall see. we shall
watch the picture. But I think II
will soon begin to frown." The priest
had had ten years experience with
the probabilities in the matter OF the
warped cardboard. 1T will frown when
the matter of Lajeunesse comes more
TO the fore, IL he persists in courtine
you. For Lajeunesse is a very lazy
man, and he loafed while his first wife
toiled. Yes, it is as you say; he is
brave man. But a brave man who
sits in the kitchen becomes very much
OF a nuisance. You will not be 81
lonely when the girl is here. And sh'
will be a boarder who will pay-not G
boarder who will boss and refuse tC
pay. as a lazy husband might"
II am the fortunate woman" sh'
declared. Her face had cleared. 81
have the spirit Of my good husband
10 watch over me, and the good Father
Leclair speaks the words as my
Xavier would speak them. SO shal
never worry. And I will have my bes
room ready for the new teacher wher
you bring her"
THE good God tempers the winc
10 the shorn lamb" said Father Le
clair TO himself. as he trotted dow
toward the village. II hope I arr
fsrgiven for diluting the truth to thu
understanding OF the poor lambs who
. aro thereby saved from the pitfsll'
ana the shears"
On his way to the school he hs'
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