The Sierra citizen., 1854-07-15

= - -/ M "a sss
At the announcement Of her lovers e
turn, NansiAs's heart leared with Jug; but
when she beard he had been back soisas
without coming to see her, her spirits
sank, for she continued TO love the absent
soldier in spite Of the notary's son and
her hundred Other admirers.
"He is come back in sorry plight,
though" continued the gossip, "lame, a
beggar, and with but one arm. He is
sick at heart, too, and so ashamed that he
will not show himself; he is not fit to live
among the young and happy
Poor Nanette! her heart was full of
pity for her lover She turned aside to
conceal her tears. Yet she still wondered
why he did not come to see her, and she
felt almost angry again when she thought
of it.
He tells me news, too, which I never
knew before, you are so sly about it,
Nanette. He says you are to marry the
notary's son. do believe from the way he
spoke, he has never forgot his old love for
you; when he spoke Of the notary's son he
sighed, looked at his tattered garments, his
stump Of an arm, and his lame ley with
travel. ~
Nanettc heard on more She under-
stood all. She left her mother to entertain
the gossip and hurrying up stairs, attired
herself in her holiday garments; and then,
selecting the choicest fruit from the gar
den. arid filling her apron with flowers, she
hurried to the cottage of Pierre's family.
Never had she looked more charming
Her white head dress, falling low oh her
shoulders, relieved the dark tresses, and
added greater effect to her brilliant, black
eyes. A handkerchief, worn around her
neck, modestly concealed her swelling
bust. Her arms, rounded and mellow as
antique marble, were bare almost to the
slouders-in word, always beautiful,
ler dress and her high spirits now made
her perfectly bewitching.
Who's there?" said voice, as she
knocked
She knew the family were all abroad at
this hour at their work. and that the voice
mast be Piere's, else she would scarcely
have recognised it, so Disseminated and
hopeless was the tone once so happy and
bright. But she knew a magic, she b.
licved, to call back all its Old sweetness.
1T is y she answered, Disgusting h.r
voice; and as she thought of the joyful
surprise she had il store for PIERRE, she
archy smiled.
Sac heard muttered growl, and som,
one coming to the door, "On the great
jealous bear, she said to herself. show he
liates to be disturbed but we shall see.'.
When the door opened, and the laughing
girl stood before him, Pierre staggered
buck. Surprise contended with gloom in
his features, but the smile of Nanette
gradually rs-asSured him. at last he
stammered out, "you here, Nanette; what
does it mean?"
The unhappy girl read in every look OF
that haggard face how truly Pierre loved
her, and she could no longer contain
herself, but speaking amid smiles and tears
while she put down her basket of fruit,
and emptied her flowers on the table, said:
" 1t means. dear Pierre, that as you won't
come to see me / have come to see you;
and as ! heard you were i'll and tired, |
have brought all these fruit and flowers
for your acceptance; yes, and myself too,
if You will have mel And she, weeping,
ciasped him in her arms.
What and do you love poor Pierre
still ? And you won't have the notary's
son ?" he murmured III amazement.
MOL will have none but you. Oh.
how could you think could desert YOU .
Don't you believe, dear Pierre, that We
women can be constant as well as you
menu
but, Nanettc," said Pierre, looking
at his stump. Il am MANNED now ,and-and
I q
l have come back without my cross
"No you have not said she, touching
the mangled shoulder kindly, "rhere is
your Gross of the Legion of Honor, a
nobler one than piece Of mere ribbon.
do believe" she said, bursting into tears.
that shall love you all the better for
having lost yorr arm" a
Happiness soon restored the bloom of
Pierre's cheek, and on the morning Of his
marriage, be looked the handsomest man
in the whole gay company. Nor was his