The Illinois free trader and LaSalle County commercial advertiser. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1841-1843, 1841-08-13


But in order to reach this retired spot
1t was necessary to pass over the rocks
behind the house, and thence again down
wards, through the orange and palm trees.
On this occasion Marietta could not pass
through them. For under the youngest
and most slender of the palms, lay in pro-
found sleep a tall young man-near him
nosegay of the most splendid flowers.
One could easily see thereon white pa
per, from which probably again sigh was
breathing. How could Marietta pass by
there
She continued standing, and trcmbled
with fright in every limb. Then she
would go home again. Hardly had she
retired a couple of steps, ere she looked
again at the sleeper, and remained mo-
tionless. Yet the distance prevented her
from recognizing his face. Now or never
was the mystery to be solved. She trip
ped lightly nearer to the palms. But he
seemed to stir Now she ran again to-
wards the cottage. Yet had his move
ments been nothing but the fearful imagi-
nings of Marietta. Now she returned
again on her way towards the palms. But
his sleep might perhaps be only dssem-
bled. Swiftly she ran towards the cot
tage. But who would flee for single
perhaps! She trod more boldly the path
towards the palms.
With these fluctuations Of her timid and
Joyous spirit, between fright and curosi-
ty, with these to ard fro trippings between
the house and the palm trees, she had at
length always by few short steps more
nearly approached the sleeper, whilst at
the same time curiosity became more
powerful than fear.
"What concern have | with him My
ways leads me directly past him. Whe-
Their he sleeps or wakes, Ego straight on"
so thought Manon's daughter. But she
passed not by, but remained standing !;
for she must look directly in the face of
the flower giver, in order to be sure Of the
fact. Besides, he slept as if he had not
slept for a month. And who was il (!
Now, who else should it be but the arch
wicked Colin.
SO it seems he had been the one, who
first on occount Of his old enmIty had gi-
ven the gentle maiden so much annoyance
with the cup, and had brought her into
loathsomc contact with Herr Hautmarin !;
he had been the one who had teased her
with flowers, in order to torture her GU
riositv. Wherefore He hated Mariet-
ia. He behaved himself always in all
companies, towards the poor child most
shameiully. He avoided her when he
could and when he could not, he grieved
the good natured little one. With all the
other maidens of Napoule was he more
chatty, friendly, courteous, than towards
Marietta. Consider, he had never asked
her 10 dance, and yet she danced bcwitch-
ingly.
Now he lay there surprised, taken in
the act. Revenge swelled in Marietta 5
bosom. What disgrace could she subject
him to She took the nosegay, Embossed
it, s,rewed with just scorn his present
over the sleeper. Only the paper, on
which appeared again the sigh, dear Ma
rictta, she retained, and thrust quickly in
to her bosom. She wished for future
need to preserve this proof of his hand
writing. Marietta was sly. Now she
would 90 away. But her revenge was
not yet satisfied. She could not leave
the place without Furnishing Collins ii
will IN similar manner. She took the
violet coolcd silken ribbon from her hat
and threw it lightly around the sleeper:
arm and around the tree, and with three
knots tied Colin fast TO the tree. Now
when he awake, how astonishcd woult
he be? How would his curiosity tormen
him to ascertain who had played him thi
trick That ne could not possibly disco
YER. SO much the better; it served hin
right.
Marietta had only been too lcnient to
wards him. She seemed to regret he
work when she had finished it. Her be
som throbbed impetuously. Indeed,
y believed that little tear filled her eye
with which she all TOO compassionate
gazed upon the guilty one. Slowly sh
went back to the orange trees at the rock
:, often she looked around-slowly a!
+ cendcd the rocks, often looked dow
" among the palm trees. Then she hastel
&c ed to mother Manon, who was calm
n her.
THE HAT RIBBON.
ar That very day Colin practiced he
y mischief. What did he lie wished
G. shame poor Marietta publicly. All =! 81
III never thought that every one in Napou