The Carbon County news. [volume] (Red Lodge, Mont.) 1924-1931, 1928-01-12

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With a reassuring wave of his
hand, Fabien picked up his hat and
reluctantly left the room.
For a moment Manon's heart sank.
She loved Fabien tenderly and was
sure that she wanted to spend the
rest Of her life With him alone. 1t was
not easy to be parted and left in 4
strange room, but of course they must
eat and he would be back with some
food before very long.
Manon threw herself down on lie
bed beside Fiji and played with the
punk Iibhon slound her neck. Sudden
| ~ she reM9mi cred her new locket ana
took it out Of the little box with an III
concealed fl cling of disappointment.
q am ashamed of myself! 1t is
much better than l deserve, and Fa-
bien was a darling to get it for rLe''
Manon always talked aloud when she
and Fiji were alone. 1t had made her
solitary girlhood days seem less lone
ly 81 think | should wear it-don't
you, Fiji, dear? But have no chair -
know what viii do! l will just bur-
row your necklace for awhile" Manon
removed Tie ribbon collar from Fiji )
neck and used it as a chain for her
little iocket the locket for hich Fa-
ben had exchanged lis. silver slipper
buckles.
Fiji, dear, I am so sleepy l can
lot stay up q moment longer" Ma
r,n kicked OFT first one slipper and
then the other. "You are lucky,
preciouskins, when you get tired all
you have to do is curl up and drop eff
to sleep-I wish I could do that"
In the meanwhile Fabien dashed
about in the rain from one little store
to another searching for food that he
thought Manon would like.
Since The beginning of time it has
been mans duty to supply food for his
mate, but never before had mortal
man taken as keen pleasure in stalk
ing home with laden arms as did Fa-
bien in that first night to the little
attic 70 III.
Not even Marie's wise smile as she
let him in the door could destroy his
happy contentment. Manon was his
very life, and she was waiting fol
him.
AS Fabien opened the door to theil
little attic room he whispered, MA
nom" No answer. God, what has hap
pened?" he cried as he rushed in anc
looked wildly about
Then he paused in speeches. rev
erence as he saw Manon, in little
white, high necked night dress, curleC
up on the bed, fast asleep, with FIT
at her side.
: For a long time Fabien stood an,
] looked at her. Knowing her had mad
different man of him. Her love
beauty and trustfulness had eaten in
to his very soul. His only sniff any
one dares call it that-was that h
loved Manon to the exclusion of al
else. There were many who were say
ing that girl had ruined his life, bu
if they could have heard the praye
he uttered would they have been s.
sure of their condemnation?
"Dear God in Heaven" he prayed
"help me take care Of her! Help m
to keep her always as good, as sweet
loving and tender as she is now. Hell
me to protect and provide for her al
ways. I am grateful that she has bee
, assigned to my care and | pray tina
| shall prove worthy Of her trust
Help me, dear God! Amen!"
t After this prayer Fabien resolutel,
: turned his back on Manon and wen
l over to the table with his bundles a
: though he had just entered the room
With trembling fingers he fumbled a
2 the knots to unite the packages. TIL
: picture of her, lying asleep, was s
wildly impressed on his mind tina
he could concentrate on nothing else
Unable to resist the temptation an.
longer, Fabien turned and again
Toasted his eyes upon Manon. She wa
still asleep. To him her beauty was in
comparable. Her golden curls wer
spread out on the pillow and her beau
tiful pink lips were parted in sleep
ing smile Pressed against her cheel
with the palm Of her hand was hi
locket!
|
To have such forbidden loveIines
so temptingly near him was almos
more than Fabien could endure. Will
labored breath and clenched fists h
turned resolutely away to keep from
Selling her in his arms. He strobe tt
the open window and stood looking on
at the approaching storm. The storm
within himself was at the moment jus
as impossible to control. With Sc
face he peered unseeingly through thu
rain. Mad thoughts were setting hi
brain on fire, his temples throbbed
his blood flooded his heart so fast ana
furiously that he thought it coulC
never stand the strain.
Exhausted from the strain Of thi
first fight with himself, Fabien sanl