Year: 1879

and that the trsdesmen refused to give
her credit. He Immediately went to
them and privately engaged to pay them
for what they supplied Toinette with.


Things went on in this way for several
months. The young dress-msker con-
tinued out o. work, until she was at last
frightened at the bills she had contracted
with the shopkeepers. When she came
to an explanation with them everything
was discovered. Her first impulse was
to run to Uncle Maurice and thank him
on her knees. Her habitual reserve had
given way to burst of deepest feeling.
1t seemed as if gratitude had melted all
the ice of that numbed heart.


Being now no longer embarrassed with
a secret, the little hunchback could give
greater efficacy to his good Offices.
Toinette became to him a sister, for
whose wants ne had right to provide.
1t was the first time since the death OF
his mother that he had been able to
share his life with another. The young
woman received his attentions with feel
ing, but with reserve. All Maurice's
efforts were insufficient to dispel her
gloom. She seemed touched by his
kindness, and sometimes expressed her
sense of it with warmth: but there she
stopped. Her heart was a closed book,
which the little hunchback might bend
over but could not read. In truth, he
cared little to do 50 he gave himself up
to the happiness of being no longer alone,
and took Toinette as her long trials had
made her; he loved her as she was, and
wished for nothing else but still to enjoy
her company.


This thought insensibly took posses
sion of his mind, to the exclusion OF
every thing else. The poor glrl was as
forlorn as himself; she had become
accustomed to the delormity OF the
hunchback, and she seemed to look upon
him with an afectiOnate sympathy
What more could he wish for ? Until
then, the hopes OF making himself accept
able TO helpmate had been repsIled by
Maurice as a dream but chance seemed
willing to make IL a reality.


After much hesitation he took courage
and decided 70 speak to her


1t was evening; the little hunchback
IN much agitation, directed his step
toward the wOrBman's garret. Just a
he was about to enter, he thought h,
he trd a strange voice prOnouncing tn
maiden's name. He quickly pushet
open the door, and perceived Toinett
weeping and leaning on the shoulder 0
a young man in the dress of a sailor.


At the sight of my uncle she Olsen
gagged herself quickly, and ran to him
crying out, "Ah, come in come inl I
is ne that 1 thought was dead; it


Julien; it is my betrothedW


Maurice tottered and drew back.


single word had told him all.


1t seemed to him as if the groun


shook and his heart was going to break


but the same voice that he had heard
his mothers death bed again sounded j
his ears, and be soon recovered himsel
God was still his friend.


2 He himself accompanied the newl
r married pair on the road when they wei
away, and after having wished them 8
the happiness which was denied to bin
e he returned with resignation to the o
/ house in the suburb.


s 1t was there that he ended his lif


torsaken by men, but not, as he said,
o the Father which is in heaven. He {
y his presence everywhere; it was to hi
!, in the place of all else. When he die
IS it was with a smile, and like an exi


setting out 'or his own country.


who had consoled him in poverty a


ill~health, when he was suffering r,
}. injustice and torsaken by all. rad ma
IS death a gain and blessing to him.