The Elk Mountain pilot., 1920-12-30
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ga GRAND SURPRISE s
BY ARIsTA E. FISHER.

llOil II huge fDeul1. slltl lODklDk
the grayer and more faded sor the ac-
cusing ray of sunshine slanting across
it. Pierre had made IL. afte- porienr
tous selection of paint, hoards anu.
hinges. and Pierre had hung II on the
ancient old beam above the door. The
words. "La Place de Bons Surprises"
held a great meaning. fer was not
Pierre Pastoreau the prince of pastry
cooks, "sans rivale." as his admiriEg
customers said of him?
In the CHEEKY little shop on the cor
ner of Rue Royale and La Champlesse
the CHEEKY little ''marmiton" and his
CHEEKY little wife conducted the busi-.
ness that had made them famous.
Great long names did Pierre apply to
his masterpieces. "Merveillevendant
sucre" was the name of marvellous
pie, and observation-disclosures" this fat
little chef, in burst of inspiration.
had called gorgeous tart.
His customers accepted each new
masterpiece reverently, as one would
regard something sacred. Madeleine.
his wife, as she sat in her chair by,
the window, would greet each custom
er with a "Bonjour. Madame" or a
Belle journee, Msieu." She greeted
everyone with a smile, but many there
were who knew that an effort was be-
hind it.
For, more than two years ago. their
son. their Jean, had given her last
embrace. had clasped Pierre's hand
again and again, and marched proud
ly out of the little shop, down the sun
lit street around the corner, and off to
the war. Ever since they had been
watching for the trim figure, listening
for the firm step, waiting for their boy
to return.
Perhaps he is dead" said Made
leine. solemnly, when word from their
loved one had ceased.
A swirl of dry leaves ratified at the
window of La Place de Bons Sur
prises," bringing with them the tidings
that a great wind storm was coming.
The sign creaked in the wind, but up
above there was an ominous cracking;
the great beam was giving way in the
gale, and from the ancient old wall to
which it was attached, stone fell now
and then to the pavement. Pierre had
been preparing TO mend the wall.
He was recalled to the front of the
shop by cry from his wife:
"Pierrei Come. A letter!" and the
excited Madeleine thrust paper into
his pudgy hand.
"Peste" he cried. my glasses"
He adjusted them and excitedly read
the letter.
"Chers amis," he spelled out nerv-
Ously. Il must tell you that have
something at once painful and COM
fOrting for you to know. Yesterday
there was brought to us young man,
n victim Of shell-shock, who does not
know his name or his past life, and
who is exactly like your son. had
determined to summon you here that
you might learn the truth. when dis.
covered, this morning, that he had
wandered Off in the night. can find
no trace of him, but feel it my duty,
to tell you of my criminal careless
ness. will never cease searching for
him. My dear friends, some day 1
will find him, and If 1t is in my power.
will cure him of his terrible affiic-
tiOn.
IN lie Docteur Paul Duval,
''L'hospital des soldats, Paris"
After long while, Pierre breathed
heavily. then stopped to pick up the
paper which had fiuttered to the floor
And then the two old people were
together on their knees by the window.
offering silent prayer for their boy to
be sent back to them. For long while
they knelt there.
They listened dumbly to the furious
wind. until Madeleine said slowly:
"If our boy should be out in this
somewhere near us"
sudden. loud crack, as of over
strained wood giving way, and then a
mufIled thud from outside their door.
"The beaml" cried Pierre. at has
given way at last! God help anyone
who happens to be near it'll"
The gale roared more furiously than
ever, and suddenly stopped for brief
moment And then the two rushed 70
the door. Could they be mistaken, or
had they heard a human voice-of
some one In pam!
On the steps. lying across the pave
ment, was the great beam, and under
1t the form of a man. They raised him
up, and in the black shadow Of the
corner struggled to drag the uncon-
scious figure into the shop. They laid
him very gently upon the couch in the
back room, and then Pierre brought in
light.
They stood transfixed and stared at
the face of the man before them.
Madeleine uttered piercing cry, and
then she was on her knees at the side
of the bed.
water. brandy-hurry she cried.
Gentle fingers undid the coat and
rested for a moment over the heart.
ale is alivei God be tharkedi" she
sobbed. And as Pierre rushed in she
,Dnt- tnn tn,pnc ha held nnt and did nIl