Paula the Waldensian - Eva Lecomte

Tenderly my father cut off two locks of that beautiful hair of our dear
one, and as the woman went out he said. "Take this one and keep it always in
remembrance of the rescuer of your little boy; and this other one," and he
held out the second to her also, "keep it for him until he's old enough to
understand."
Taking them from my father's hand she silently kissed them and placed
them in the bosom of her dress as she and her little one glided through the
outer door.
Louis had gone out on a special errand, and he soon returned, bringing
with him from the factory the object of his search. The poor Breton, followed
by his sons and all the other "scholars" of the night-school, started to enter
the room and then stopped abashed at the threshold. At the invitation of my
father however, one by one they all came to the bedside, pale and shaken
with emotion.
"I'm glad you were able to get here before the end came," said my father.
"Oh, if you could only know how she loved you all!"
The Breton suddenly broke down and cried like a child. When he could
control himself he said, "It was but this very morning that I passed her on the
street. She seemed just like a happy bird as she waved me 'good day,'--and
now--now--to find her dying here!"
"May the dear Lord's will be done!" said Teresa.
The poor Breton had buried his face in his hands, but suddenly looking
up, he said humbly,
"You're quite right, Mademoiselle Teresa--but, you see, Mademoiselle
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