Year: 1879

aud that the tradesmen. refused to give
her credit. He Immediately went 10
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-maker con-
tinued out of work, until she was at last
frightened at the bills she had contracted
with the shopkeepers. When she came
to Al, explanation with them everything
vas discovered. Her first impulse was
to run 10 Uncle Maurice aud thank him
on her knees Her habitual reserve had
given way to burst of deepest feeling.
1t seemed as.it gratitude had melted all
the ice OF that numbed heart.


Being now no longer embarrassed with
a secret, the little hunchbsck could give
sSe.=~sS efficacy TO his good offices.
2'Vi., -s,y3azssszs.sS.ssai-S sister. for
xs.fvas The first time since the death OF
his mother that ne had been able TO
share his life with another. The young
woman received his attentions with feel
ing, but with reserve. All Msurice'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
stepped. Her heart was 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 longeralone,
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 girl was IS
forlorn as himself; she had become
accustomed to the deformity Of the
hunchback, and she seemed to look upon
him with an affectionate sympathy
what more could he wish for Until
then, the hopes of making himself accept
able to a helpmate had been repelled by
Maurice as a dream but chance seemed
willing to make it reality.


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


Il was evening; the little hUnchback
in much agitation, directed his stepi
towardsthe workman's garrett. just a
ne was about to enter, he thought h'
heard strange voice pronounciDg th'
maiden's name. He quickly pushed
open the door, and perceived Toinett,
weeping and leaning on the shoulder o
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 inI 1
is ne that thought was dead; j. a
Julien; it is my betrothedp'


Maurice tottered and DIV back. a
single word had told lsin all.


1t seemed to am as if the ground
shook and Els heart was going to break
| but ite same voice that he had heard by
RS mothers death bed agsin sounded il
his ears, and he soon recovered himself
God was still his friend.


He himself accompanied the newly
married pair on the road when they wen
away, and-aiter having wished them al
\ the happiness which was denied to him
he returned with resignation to the olC
house in the suburb.


1t was there that he ended his life
forsaken by men, but not, as he said, By
/ the Father which is in heaven. He fel
his presence everywhere; it was to hin
in the place of all else. When he died
lit was with a smile, and like an exil,
setting out for his own country.
who had consoled him in poverty


ill-health, when he was suffering II n
injustice and forsaken by all. had mad
| death gain and blessing to him.