The Storyteller

New Zealand Tablet, 6 December 1906, Page 3

The Storyteller

THE THREE FRIENDS I: Nowhere are the-" inequalities of • fortune- more stride- ■ ingly displayed than in a Paris' hotel or apartment house. The first iloor, beautifully fitited up, may be occmAed by a wealthy hanker or, government official of high rank, while in the second may be lodged «a family of far less importance iti the social scale. And so up to the top of the building—the hdgfier one ascends, the lower'the rank inMife .of "the occupants. In the attic arj3 ,usually found art students, poor authors, shop women and seamstresses. It happened that-in one of these large hotels there lived three old friends—gentlemen who had been schoolmates and comrades when boys, and who had preserved an uninterrupted friendship during aM the increase of fortune which had come to some of them,,,and the vicissitudes that had befallen others. M. Beauvallon, the wealthiest member of the trio, .lived on the lower floor of the hotel ; on'the'second, "M. de Bonneval had his apartments'; while on the third,'M. Bertram! lodged with his" little daughter-Zoe, and an old servant, Madeleine, who had taken care of the child since her infancy. ~He was a clerk in the civil service department. M. Bbi*H3v'al and -'M. Beauvallon were also widowers!' The former lived-jusb below JVI. Bertram!. He had an income of a thousand francs monthly, kept - only one -sei* r ant, bub a more expensive one than old Madeleine. He-had one\child, Mirza, M. Beauvallon,. the proprietor of the first floor, l'ept three servants, had a beautiful,suite of apartments,' and a large gardeji. He, 'had" an only daughter, Eveline. The - three girls were about the same age, Zoe being the eldest. They were as unlike as they v could' possibly be, yet were firm* and devoted friends-. M. Beauvallon, having secuied excellent teachers for. hisj daughter, would nob be coi/tent "until their services" were shared by the two other children. They were - all bright and studious. - The three families led an even and happy " life. Zoe • was a quiet, meek little creature, -who moved noiselessly about, without attracting attention; but she was ever on the alert to heip and do good to others. Mirza, the daughter of M. de Bonneval,- was the most selfish of the three. Zoe and Eveline, naturally amiable, had grown accustomed to - renouncing their 'own wishes in her favor ; and were really not' aware that they were constantly sacrificing themselves because of the many brilliant and attractive qualities thaWdrew them toward her. Kveline was exceedingly, fond" of dress, and her father predicted that she would-one day become a ..devotee of society,""and .this seemed quite possible. , ' Time passed swiftly and pleasantly till the three girls were, about fourteen. Then a rich "aunt of M. de BoTineval invited , Mirza to" visit her. She lived at Lyons; where her husband was a prosperous manufacturer. Mirza was gone a year, during wWioh time she corresponded with her.-two friends. Her letters were full of th<L beautiful things she saw and enjoyed ; her life seemed to- be one--round of pleasure. , -. The aunt, who thought of adopting her, suddenly died, and Mirza was obliged to return to her father's" house. She did so reluctantly, bringing with her an atmosphere'of worldliness and" discontent, which, soonjiad -its effect on the pliable mind of • Eveline, was as fond of enjoyment as her friend. But good, gentle, little Zoe still pursued her quiet way undisturbed. Her excellent common-sense told her that the pleasures and vanities in which her friends took an interest were not for her, and - she -did not grumble that 'it -was so. She knew how hard her father was obliged to work, how tenderly he loved her, and was " content. ~* Gradually Zoe came to be left out of the conversations which so . engrossed the other two, who now had but little time for study oiT aught else- than romantic dreamings and fond anticipations of the world", of which Mirza had had enough experience jto maike. her wish to see more of it. ' One day Zoe was sitting in the garden, outside of a small arbor, when the two girls entered »it "by "a door on the other side. ' Where is Zoe this morning ? ' asked Eveline. • I have< not seen her to-day.'' 'She is probably reading or studying somewhere,' said. ' Mirza. .' She is such a little mouse! She will, never care\ for societyr'

, 'Society! ' exclaimed Eveftne. ' Poor Zoe will neyor., be able , to,- >do any thing >; but, < give?; lessons—when- - Hci\;fat3feE!,i^^Ms : -he-r"lJd •'"• governess;'*" " ' V"' ■ ''.^ : : , r^ Y :'t : '''^\^y^:T^~^^ r 1 She -has-' no '■'■ taste;--. c in ( v --dress-; either;' 5 < continued Mirza. ' "She will,:^bc■>^la^■■^•r.eaLvdowayv ii bne:• :^f^'these/^i aays.'.' ' I can't think: that exactly,' rejoined, Eveline..'.'' She'. . has 'good^ta-ste-iit'vcblorsV alwaysj exquisitely* •neat.- -But' she has no - sty-lev-'-- •:' - : ■-'■■ '"-<"•■■•— /.-~~™-l:~-.-'■,, 4 Style! -ejaculated never need .it—unless,.indeed, .she. should have to make her living in one - X 6V\ the ; : large'-dresshlaking establishments ,where ■•• the yo,ung ; ladies try ;"bn garments for;cu.s-v;, tomers.' - ■"• :: . ; .. v ,; *>J\^J-'\~- j?\ : 'That Zoe would never 'do,' replied Eyeliner ' Her father would not permit it.' ' 1 What is he but a clerk.? ■>■ ■ '-.- l: /\ •J'That is true, but he. went to school and played • with , your papa and mine, just as we three; o '. Yes,' said -Mirzaj_J im.t£-.he is, not -a-; success. I. beards papa say so.V ~.•.-. ; -?.i '-■ ■''".■;,:•: : : .'-??<.; ~;:';si ; : y^-'-■■:■'. :^%k -J: . ■' -And my papa also,' replied Eveline. ''l; -heard '.■<■■: that conversation.' But neither: of the girls added what had :> also >oe- \ L curred v that the two friends of haid ;sai<H it was because; of;? paid f his- fathers - debts, having deprived himsett of his patrimony •' and they had also said he. was-too /honest 'to succeed"'- in x life. ■' ■■ •/ . •. ■'-• :■■ ■■■" ;■•' ■/-■ ■■*-"- : :^-'■■"■"•'. ■■■''■'::-. ->■■ ' : ;W-t 'Zoe is of the samedisposition,' said 7 Mirza. ;' : Shp ' is simply a nonentity, and. will always be.' • •-'■■" " ' ! ' She is very sweet, though, Mirza',' remarked Eye- • line, still loyal, to her friend. / "I don't deny it,' replied Mirza. 'But doesn't ~ she dress plainly? I am almost ashamed to go out with her.' - ■ ■;■? • 7 -:^v> Zoe could not endure any more. N Putting' her fin-" gers in her ears, she did not hear the rest bf: the; conversation. She feared'almost to-move. But-after a while she got up and stole: silently away. Once yin : r; her own little room,'she threw herself upon the bed and shed many silent tears ; for'Zoe was not one to,make a display either of" grief or joy. But, lin spite T of - her quiet demeanor, she had a ..great deal of:' firm--ness. Seated by the ~ window,., she' reviewed-the? happy-?. years spent with her'ybung companions, which she now,; felt were gone forever. She could not conceive of : h a friendship which could vanish as that of Mirza had done. Eveline had been less he.artless; ' but Zoe felt , that. she, too, had changed toward her, and that the-time had pome to sever -their relations. . ''" ""*" " She must, however, do this-without ' 'the suspicions of her father or his friends. There/ need to grieve, his devoted heart. Still, Zoe -,was scarcely more than a child; she felt the need of;;':a/ confidant. in whose bosom she. could pour her sbrrow.; and when Madeleine came to telt her that luncheon? was' waiting, and noticed her red. eyes, :Zbe had soon told her the whole; pitiful, story. •■'-''' 'lt is- not what.. I heard" to-day that has decided me,' concluded Zoe v; , '.This ; has. :i been going ;on ever .since , . Mirza's return. T have felt that they were: both,changed ; that I did .not,,and- could not, share their-plans and pleasures ; as *!•.■ had always "done before. '"'. "'::/ Arid perhaps . it : is best, Madeleine,; that it has happened', fbivyou know very/> well- that.": both will soon be young ladies, that they will move in. a different sphere .from mine, and that it would be impossible for me ; to attempt to join in/: their amusements. I will soon -getover it, Madeleine ; for now I must begin to to prepare for work.' '_' [ ' ■ :?? -'What do you. mean?' asked the indignant old servant. ' You do not. need to work. For - wh'at do your papa and ;I practise/all'our? economies but that you" may . have something when-.'he is gone ?- For "* what do I hoard; and ' treasure^ 'every eent. that I can spare from\ ; ?rny" wages- but -"for- the" same" purpose—to add to the /Slbre he is laying; asidje for /our darling Zoe'? Ah, those ?;mean,~ungrateful- crea'tures ! ' she wound up bitterly. "'-'"But for the,-/ fear that it would. cause trouble among -the gentlemen, 1 should-'denounce them; -before : ," »/??. .■?' •■.-. ■?■■■>■>. ' ; Madeleine?! "cried Zoe, throwing . her arms around -the bid//woman's neck. ' How can L ever thank you ! But you- and papa sWalt.practise your,- 'J little: economies,'' v as you .call them'i no longer.' Do hot say a word of aii this to papS,' I implore. you. Only>uphold ; all I "shall-askoi; him,'?and? confirm all the statements I shall make. Will you " promise me;?^ \^JJi- '•'■ - '-Yes, 1 will- you ask,' replied "Madeleine, ' L^haye^nevervknown/: ypu ; tp say-or do .anytbing'that \y*as riot right. . ! will say,' li Yes ".. to' every thing you proposed- ; --vo Zoe -dried her tears went to luncheon../ :She did ;hot go downstairs again during the day, and no onb v ca"me'-to seek *er...With a. pang; she.leflected that

until, lately, no dayVeould have pa'ssed in which her friends ..jyoujid not sought her, had She failed! to make her- appearance. Bub her mind was .so busy with plans f6r the\ future that it toolt^a : -the poignancy of /jjfei: regret. ■"•■ ~.;"■■ ' I , ■ she;'; , saw Mirza aSd tfaoQ mai;dsppas& v gave her; a desired bpp|>rbuhityy'" ran; :; tq;. th %; pavilion; /-in the garden,:; {where /tjhey-ha?d beefealccujstbmed '£* to .study,---.trpqijc h'ejp. books the corneKo> A; whfere she always; placed - upstairs, S her eyes; overflowing with t^rs. v oiviidhood was '&' over ; her .friends had grown ihEi%rent ;, she had' bidden adieu to "the past. And then, as she~paused in frontvof a picture of her parents,.; takenvcin:th6:'early their^afiarriage,, .herfe w ;afiec;tipnate heart went : out i: to bot'iir-the""dear, dea-d mother . wtioin sher had never;.,., - known ; the -loving: lather in; .her .service, , ; dno .thought .£uj./ for her future.. .. Thai aiight; after vthe_table v had,^en : cleared, and • ■M. Bertrand- sab usu'arfor" "a~. quiet,talk with ... Zo>e to ; two friends in M, rßeauvailoii's^flen, '■■-he observed re r flectiveLy/L.. ' ' Zoe, my dear,'lvhave J&ften th'o'ug>nt : that, in •spi'teof our.-circumst'ajice.s,,.. you .' s and/.!, have...been, favored | all . youri^tHife^ at least—with" every ; advantage, almost,, .that our richer • neighbors ppssess;'- ; -''> We r are/ -.fill liker oner family;.,. No- . thing lias ever occurred to disturb tions; And you, my ohikl, have participated '.'- in '""the""' studies pf v Eveline just as though..ypa were-her sister. 1 I? couldf'never have been ,:able'; tibi p&y ■-f or--the lesions 7you. have with your, friend! ' Think what it;=, /would have hj mean b if 1 had been obliged away irbni ; me to at convent :How 3boieiy>^''l?v ; should>.liave been! loften think „of it, and. ihljank Crod--for His goodness.' ; "' / . . Zpe 'looked c at her father. For a moment-she 5 won.dered;if he or had never But 3iis calm : . tenance, JAs, 'gentle eyes filled with gratitude, assured her that ■. he meant every word he said.;,,. and. she.:;:'lfelt? 'grateful for t'he'-"-oi)portunity orfered lief to- unfold herC' plans. ■*■ ■" " , V^'-.// : 'Papa,' "she observed •slowly, are- right in all '- -you say; and I -have, I think,,. r been.^ery::gratef^t,Xfor---;" I the advantages I have enjoyed Your" words ""'have '"" given me courage to say something that has been o'vcum >' mind for some time. You. know" tlVat my .future r inrust be veiy, different from that of. Mirza s and~: i;;Eyeline;• - Their fathers are .wealthy?: ■■:, they>>will ■>:^v.e ; their living. But we are ;p6or,;'ybu "'':::■. ioare..not ;asl£ybuhg as you once were ;, and_l have.Jrei/spived—with/ your permission; 7of /-my - the"- girls, and choose ?some-means •of ' a /living.' ::^^h:< : ■ -;:~; l M:/Bertrand looked aghast at-liis quiet, ifimid little / Zoe.'/.' . '■- -.. :: - : ,X' . ? -;.iii. ; ,;.-: ;n sVr -■^, vr '. 'What do you say, my ohild fT-,, he exciaimed. ;?' Make a living ! I had. never, thing:^ irl rtrust; it wilk ; not be work-in me yet, I hope ; sayingsXarefhbt:^6^? ; •;.sm'all.' :-"-.'■- :'"-■:.:; '■•■■•r-; -;■;.'-,;..' ':..■-. ■'■^■^■•• > - 'fe:'K. ' But your pleasures aiuK luxuries -are, jpapa,^-*';-an- v - swered Zoe. 'Do no b ; think that I; have hotiobserved*" your economy and self-sacrifice. y:lt~ has :]>een. J:: .in my mind to s help when I was old- enough, and now ...I think the time has come.' >'. 4'. But,. my ; dear—' \ ■. : -/-.-^:-u-y^-^y.^j^^) ~ i '\ 'No,'papa, ' unless positively forbid;'' ; i-t^wbicn'-' would make me; very unhappy— no -objection ypu' can \ make will •" have any effect on : :. ->-me'. . There -is - nothing for me to dp in the house, Madeleine is? so x uofficient.,' ..Let; me. _ prepare myself for some odcup'atidn ; ; • I cam help .•_..* - '■'■■■■ ' But -what- could you do ?■•-' ;-i."'"-"•.'■ •■•./ •-■:; .; v' I/had; thought of ■ going to the Polytechnic, where improve niy drawing. :: toid^Arie: several times, that 1 had some talent for designing-; . and she, said also that young, girls (sometimes make a that way.', (Mdile, r B6ulin,was:the ;:,lady; r \vho;; : girls) she continued, ' among;;.the i .vpupils../ ' 'at''Mme. Rigaud's ■ ~per\sib'ri,"' there are bhen„AmejiCan ""'\ '..ladies who wish 16 take rrcnch lessons,, and ; they pay "well;''' ' "\X\ r y. ■■,■;."': \-.,'- : .-:■:,■':. - '.■ ■ c::i. : ..-r.;.; . ,;,;'u ! .,My. dear VZoe,' said M. ' I confess - that ; I ; ; ? am ; surprised ; but ..'-at .> ithe,. ; same time I admit • you are- yeryi sensible. For "the /realise you are- ho longer a bhild. I shall Let .us consider the... matter a ..little, r , in order.tp" ' seeo.what will-be best. What. do.^you;-thiiik, ;TyTade:ieine ?' he inqUred of the old "."'woman', whowas busy .-"putting away; the dishes iri the china closet. '; ■ -

, ...i I. think-; Mile. Zoo -is righty'- she saM/ - it- " . is the you could : accompany her there " every onC,ydtir way lov the office. If L'Ecole it^iSi-i : r v^s^-wherever .she" should be," £- couid call the afternoons.' i.'■)..';. >=. .'.-.:-.=,-.' .*i„ .'\-.Yes,,th;at,3vilL ; hp ;7 ypur v ypu£: friends.'; , \ ,:■■(■■ -\ "•*''' That done-. some-timer --' .said : .the: girL. '.';?. .Tiiby,. are not children andy eiMier.' ' ~"' - '," : - V--•>-•-'•>-- • ■ '■ That "'is\, tfueV' "/answered;j- ; ;her-'-faiilier ; , reaching for;;j ! preparatEujr .'tby'Vgohig .' Jt iy.-.,a-•■■■■•■ 'that grow' upJ^■-•;^i,fe : • v Mirza and 'EVeliiie' .accepted: dcrful equanimity, .considering howclose i relations f with;: in the ipasb. hiad jbeeirja} d;ra% ;t]seirV jfodlish and/'romantic^—eoh-: versatio«s, in Aylvich ' they could "now indulge:, Mvefr.;.hearts" content;"." ■'" Their intercourse \vith jthedr ;_fprmer ; :/; friend soon beckane v ; ; liihlted' -to ; an--6ccasiphai,,salut : e/'?i , n v! . :r passing through;\r:;;the;:;cpurtyaMj c vas/ "Zoe \hatf entieroct"' E'EcoleAdes Beattx - s gress;> vShe" hadtHiwo rAiiiericaliv pupils with whom she conversations daily for anyhour.j S'ioisal^pangpat^theV^tlrouglrt-of" ; tfe frail tenure of a ..-• •friendship wlA.ch.- seemed eternal.' :■"■'■" ;-•-.-• "-,,; Strange ; . to say,'; neither;; of;~;tbey three fathers seemed . tc observe anjr change. But after a>time.;M. Beauvafe; lon■•;began ..to '■•...noticeythajnyrZoe Cywas never others,- One; day.;he-saidCtp Eveline.: '. ■ ..' My dear, how. is""it-that '■-' Zoe v is ; .jno/-,longer^••aU sharer in ;youry little.ypleasuies ;.and. talks':">,.' ; u : y;" xkjecr^yi: '■■■■■ ■•'- She is busy all day,- papa,' ; replied-Evelineyc«K^->*rj ■..-._ ■/:;: But on 'Oh, I don't khdw t" Gii Sundays, as always, she; likes to be" with;b.er- father,,! Suppose.' .':.■■,•> i> :ufe : ;: ' But I -never sec her: : readihg ; :iri the as - ci.-. USed to.'- ' '■■-■ ''.','■ ■■■.:.- -■:;-■■ .'"' . v.: ■' * '""' . T .ri-"-:r ■ ■.; AT-hat is not our fault, papa. She does not come, : tltat-is v-ali:' ■ - r ?tr :^ ( You have- had hd' : quarrel"/ -np-\-:misuiiderstahdiii'g i ;?S. ? '' i v-~" ■'■' ' Papa, we never- had: a-'quarrel j in _ ; 'Still, you do 'not ;seem to :; regret;her. ot ' I have Mirza,: v -v-'V v^os^'.-^M 1 'That is a very ;selfish remark, my child, particuT-. : > ; larly when one remembers 'the' length'and extent of yourintimacy with Zoe.' ..■• '.'."..-'i , ■■^. -:,•;;>.:: , ; v.-o '.%'.' E.veline -bljushcd-, but said nothing. Her hear'fc,.., had, often reproached ,'her for .her coldness toward the-friend;-_ of her childhood,' who was of much better fibre ••'tWah'' v Mirza. Still," she was 'at the age when cruelties .are' of ten perpetrated un t hiiikihgly,; and the delights-which.-_-.'. Mirza .constantly portrayed to her were far. more wel- " come than the quiet company of Zpe, whom she V 1 now £ouird : very uninteresting. . : _ : " r \. >. : VZ':^'-'Z^" •■-■■: M. Beauvallon- -was a keen observer ■■ he : soori began to comprehend -the situation,- and resolved .to let things, take their course. ; He knew-;his daughter pretty- .well,;.:; ami he also" gauged : ,;.the . character 61-Mrza. ;He felt' " confident' that in. some way Eveline would be'taught aJ. lesson, and: concluded to,, watch; and .be. silent. ~;v.4....-,;: \ T: *" About three: Aveeks :"after- .this,' .as ; Zpe was : : r; ing the; stairs^6ne_. morning,,, she .met the doctor the Beauvallpns' W her in thei .evening, ......she'" her' that-^Evelin^-^hM^ smallpox, and that, all the tenants except Hhe'mselvesv> wele iea.\tng the- hpteL -. ; ; ..r /- ; ;-/ .....'y- \ .i^ : ;^S .• ' How absurd; .!' r exclaimed the gentle poor Eveline ! VVhat if ...she should be" '""'4 'Or die,' 'saiclJMadeleine. ' But, d.ear^^it i absurd as you think, to go away fr,onv ; ; th%-~lii r P>usc. , r j"he * disease ,is very infectious.' People :'do?nob want the risk of getting smallpox.' -,--_ ■-' Papa wiir not move ?? asked Zoe. - '"'-: '".':"■""■ ' L do not kifoyv. ". i'.Hc! is" not yet -aware;' of;- -the ; circumstances 1 , 'l\ladempiselle.'" -' ;y .■■■.-■■*•>:■:■&.■'■^■'a. When M. Beltrand'came, the,,evcning and;--; learned* the-- yltuationi. he ■resolved-, to stay in the hotel.'"l! Tliey we're two -storeys removeS, from ; the Beauvjallons;,;;. : c he Aftei:. were vallOn's, -'how quarantined by sickivess. ~,■■;..) *7nvi: ;'-;.. ■ttiird\"day":Zoe; the I 'garden- tor- 7i ihe jri weeks>, 'Seatingr::herself oh' a Jiicy iookod' up at.L of JM. Beauvalloiv's v: -aiiart-*' 1 ments.A~"white hung loosely an>frontCdfS OEve-•-"Jine's window.. monients a hand- pushed it . aside and a sm'ai.r bisket-'descend edj;by va, rope ,toi;,the. ■; Quite: uticorisfcioilsSthat she was exposing :;.-herS :■. ;.;self ; to danger, Zoe went forward and picked it up. Pn, a small piece, of. pa»er,' "were words : ' The nurse ; ' ; ha&;;:-gprieV;.; I Vam., n yl daughter, G-et : sdiriev '•!• one.'- """' '' '•-" ; .".

.Zoe. -ran--^.uickly ;-_- upshairs•■- and-• told -Madeleine. The '■bl'd~'wanVa i^-: it beslT.; to wait■'" for "the doctor, who. would v jmqrning call. -When lie' carne, jZoe metSiliiMlti^.^tSeldo6r/^still holding the paper itf her hand. ~, V . .1, .. , .. ■■■.|;j; -A Another' gone U'^said gefrbjrio ~. oncU : , The wbihau I had; r .,almQst to be "dri^h'-^tliierer^'l ) don'ti'kiibjvv. \ Avjiati.J to^ .pSu^ ; ., who -t01d..-you.,, of; it, ; : my-"cMldT : ' :: - r^ vZvoe''shbsvjed ihlm; the paper:--k;-^.^t^isvv-":•'. '■■''. . '-■■■ i■.■:. ■!? Very impludentoorf r .jvl. BeauvaHon— .; imprudent, ' observed : the doc'tbrv ■*•* -Probably-'wf the •sick-room. Do you ••-■know,, Mademolselle rr run great danger now .of ity, 'rioughjb tor toe quarantined'!"^ 1 "^ : --;^- ; >'-" <v.i' :> .'•'...',■ 'T.am iio.t ;ibr Cmy 7-father, 1 should go myself and. take care .of ;li6r/.\:;>:;~;\;.-;\';;:;;\y..^ '•■..■:■>..;, < Ybii ■'"'aria''a':brave J^fri;^^^j'tlife^dclpr.''" ''. -''"Stay here till: : T ; return. ibe\ fumigated: i 'sMf'' cbasciehceMAvili'reproach ..me.i.un.less something is-<lonW"^ T&-' : ;'~~hty .^v-'-.-:, " ■--Zoe/. sat on'"' the:" stairs;-;- In ten: minutesi the doctor -roMrneuvf .• :\.- &-■:'■ Z+U:-. < ..''.lt -.is a .terrible state of affairs,' he -salia: : : /-'The. -child the She will; dieLunless- 1., ca^#g^ii.. ; ,sQme4on'e i l :^, \,„.:,... '. 'Where arc thc^se^yaiitf'^' 'They! have -all •fled.' ;"'.v- .-=•'., '~ -■• '■'■ '"■ ~"" : ■;Z"~'"'"~ - ..' All ?.'".,... = " '■/:■■'■.. ': :";■ •';";'-.; %.". : -."'.: _ . ■T;'- : -.--U Every •■ one. .;• is •odaughter,;-!.;-: ;;w-t.sMr^^Vf-. t'' ? • Zoe. stood -up. All memory r ofr past coldness and 'vanished;irom tier saw only . the i kindrfaces of' ?her former friends shiiling*"-in ; ;iove.. ; upon,--her -.■-- think 1,-, am,.in. danger"? shejnqui'red. ' I know--it beew ■ ; - doubly in;, danger:.; ' J 1 '";'" have . the rsick-room. : ''"' • \ - : '"'V '■-' :,v ■"''■' ; .{*';..r t^'^''.''"''"f "' v '■•'• ■ ...-•• Shall..l also, havcto be -qMVahtincd? '"] ; ' y'• ; ; I fear.so, if'l ani•-honesti''^ '■■■' •■'•••• '• ■-■■ i ■;. < well,. : ;my ' God will 1 ftake care of ine. i-I:-. -caimot-iet my" v -" best ■ , suffer,- perhaps'■■'■■.die-,- -for want, of -Assistance--■'.■.a-t 'i.sucii- a" ; -time-?sas; ':UiiiS;'\'^#^^ - ---And before Hie could realise what Slie was about to doVZoeJiad iiftedg;the pojrtiere the infected apartment ■'■&s^~s^£^,'ys^^;; , ''^'i3£-.Six-weeks laier she arm' around- Evs- - line's shoulder, leading... her. for- -the-first time into thja garden.''.'"Neither-:she nor M. contractual the disease,- but: ;their. labors* "had" been .'.herqiev Doctjbir Velot declared that if : had- ; n6t : befen'fpr 'hourly " application of lotions to Eveline's face, she would , have been badly scarred; but, thanks -to tlie ,; Of; her; faithful friend), „skih' would' soon- be : as fresh and fair'as .:v ■■:': .r M; : Beauvalibn was already; •■ iii '.., the gardcn_AVi|h cushions ■- and wrapsV ;' 5 Mid. ;• awaitingr ;tlie i thje: twb girls;.- ,; ~A"t'_a s'hoT-tVd'i stance •M^a'e^'Bo'n'ncv&l^A^ ing?the; hat he held♦ tn. his 'hand.;,; He, felt;_as ;;nervbus as . heV looked ; for"" r his - :: daughter ; 'iiad"^declined"Acdomhini, saying that she would; not risk'-../taking K;smallp/)x for all the friend's" she" ever -had irv tHe^world^ ".-•■ :; -'-v'''''A'fter..thiBy;. had All greeted and congratulated-Eveline, ■'-'a^d:--Zb^ ; ha(l ; wepthn her fatlief's : and; been kiss©l "and.Jiugged by Madeleine, and. complimented.by r eyeryZ bipfdy on her-heroic; devotion, frii^di-:::E^eli^e-^urn-,. ' cd to ; M.- de Boimeval. - -.- r ~ --.•-■ %.;■■■•: -s : ■ ••■■ 'And how is Mirza ?" she inquired, .'.;,. ;..„■'...„ „ ; r ~ -.-.:■" ' well,' he-Ariswpi'ed, iii . ner. "And ,then, in "tlio bungling-way not 'unusual among 5 nien, panying me tor-day r ; 'but latcf' she -will; come, EveTne.' •- 'And- when do you return; apartment?'' asktd ■ M.,- BeTtran-d.-. ■-■•'".--■ - : -- -,h';-i '-■'" ,-■ ■■' .■■;/' ••,,i..;;^~.":,; ' ":^J' : think woj will remain "where; w6 'atej''res-i)6hde'd the ! ?pdor; ; man, sOill tactlessly. ■ t .:M\&y rooms are Krahd'Mi'r/.a very childlessly'has a horrD,r.of. : possible infection.' '•" "'-'•;■ ;.■...'"■-:-••'-...,■ ■» :v;."./' •.•■■.•: X~r -,; C V;' '/ ?■■■ -.;;: That- danger was over.-' weeks:-ag«,; Monsieur,' - sai'd; : Madelctrie' ; grimly.. ~ " ' C;< ; 7;^y : ?•■ :^; ' i; Ml de" Bohneval wiped hisjvlieabed. brow :witlta-large "-^hite'•handkerchief ;. M. Hertrand-beamed Aadbringly on 'VIVc-two T -giris, ; sitting -with ..their • arms about each bjbher; \. aAv(l'3T; : his 4 daughter,:. """ she. 'fed 'learned : a lessoirof;;a:lifetime:s: .yalub,