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La Petite had detere,

narrow existence which she kneaited her at Cote Joyeuse It went

well enough at first Soie into the

fields to note how the cotton was opening, ripe and white; or to count

the ears of corn upon the hardy stalks But oftener she ith her

aunt Pauline, assisting in household offices, chattering of her brief

past, or walking with the older woiant oaks

Marew very buoyant that suht as a bird's, unless La Petite were away

froht but one of uneasy

expectancy The girl seely Tan'tante But as the time went by, La Petite becahtful, and slow in her an to pale, till they were tinged like the crearew in the ruin

One day when she sat within its shadow, between her aunts, holding a

hand of each, she said: "Tante Pelagie, I ,

you and Tan'tante" She spoke low, but clearly and firmly "I love you

both,--please reo away froer here at Cote Joyeuse"