The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1920-03-27
THE Dali
SHORT STORY
The Friends.
ny g. q. HAcKLEY

4 WAS long, long before. the
great war, and the clocks OF Mar
ennes told that II was noon. The
sroups OF GIRL workers In the oyster
culture chatter, Laughing over then
simple lunch
Atthe approach OF cart in which
sata young man In a peasants blouse
an aged. shrfveled man in shiny
piaek coat, and slim. dark girl. wear
ING WOODEN frock. Rene Rious,
grou1s
You'll not forget, susanne," she
cried In passionate tenderness, "if
ever you need anything of me in that
iar7aSay country. I'll send 1t to you If
the heart out of my hody!"
Fhe black eyes OF Susanre DuFais
mo dark Cyl, filled. She laid her
cneek on Rene's bright hair
'Tal MOI forget" she whispered
tbs bon Dieu keep you. little one"
Joachim Talk touched his horse,
Old Paul, Susauna's father. stiffened
himself and the cart rolled away.
How they love each other-Sus-
anne and Rene!" exclaimed Mignon
Gillette. "How hard for them old
Paul thinks he may get more for his
breadmaktng in America!"
But listen, Mignon." her cousin
lowered her voice. there's RudeI
Lamotte. Were he TO come to choose
between them. an, there's no friend
ship between women that would stan !.
that test, Mgnon!"
In the new country, old Paul pros.
nered Every month, Susanna wrote.
he was able to put by little toward,
paying Father Henri, the good cure,
who had loaned them their passage
money When the letters came toll
Rene, Rudel; who worked at the fish
y ng with Rene's father, came in TO
hear them read. Now and then he
himself sent notes inolosed in Rene'sl
letters 70 Susanna and old Paul.
But after a while when Rene and
Rudel became betrothed. feeling oil
awe, in her happiness kept Rene from
writing the news to her friend.
Will wait" she thought, until
susanna too finds lover then / viii
toll heri"
In provincial France young won
oiien 70 go the near city to sew forI
tew months where they may Sc
something OF the great world" When
they return home they have little
money saved and much to tell.
Soon after Rene's betrothaI. AdeI.
ireyear and Mignon Gillette persuad.
ed ner grandmother to allow her to 20
Win tnem TO stay with therlgreat-
anmnt, fvonne Treveau, in Paris, for a |
little time at the sewing.
y will have other things about
which to write to my dear Susanna
tnan the oysters, the salt marshes 'ant
me tishtngip Rene reioiced, land Ru.
deGRudel will love me better when
come home at the Christmas time, |
That is the way OF the men, grand.
mere is it not?"
What ais you, Rene? Your tongue
is as still as one of our needles at !
evening. since the assembly forbade
ntghtwork. Eat your lunch, cherrie
the letter will keep"
The midinettes strolled along thei
sunny street in front OF the big shop
in which they sewed, eating their |
sausage and bread.
Perhaps Rudel has wrtteen 1.-THE
81 wedding will have to be put off an
other year! Has he lost his boats.
Renee Cheer up, cheerie.,-Mignon
laid little needle pricked forefinger
on Rene's heavy waving yellow lock, !
when the wedding time comes, I'll
Rudles pockets are empty, You ca<.
sell this (the price would stock you al
barnyardl and put on your wedding
Golf" =
But who sells the hair nowadays
when the colt is often laid?" demanded
Delphine LIE Mere. girl from Roche
fort.
PLENTY Of folk" declared Mirnon.
"old Mere Nannette D'Auria has 300l
francs in her purse she sold hers for"
Rene folded her letter. ST must goI
y home" she faltered duly. "Susanne
is very H."
bon Dieu!" thought Rene in the
train that evening. When wokel
this morning and smelled the honey
suclsle though Of Susanne ana was
happy
She had had terrible fall, and she
had only a short time to live. Susanna
had written, but whether weeks oil
months, the doctors could not tell. But
she must tell Rene her secret Since
she had come to America Rudels !
beauty and tender ways had been con-
stantly on her mind. and now since |
she had nothing to DO but think, she
had coma the know she loved him!
She must see him before sho died
she wanted him to Tc4rrY her and to |
hold ner in his arms vixen the life |
went ont Of her.
Send him quickly, Rsne," the letter
ended. -tor the love of the Bon Deiur !
II he has not the passage money, hel.
him to 1t beloved, some way, only |
send him soon"
The click of the car wheels resolved
itsel in to refrain of three wards:
Send me Rudel! Send me Rudel!'- !
A darkness came before Rene. ShA
ptnched her arms to keep off the faint.
ness.
Maybe If Rudel married susanne the
happiness might make her well. Rene
had heard Of such. If when he married.
her Susanne got weh-ah, she want
I'D Susanna tn get tzalli RIit ndal-l