The prairie news. [volume] (Okolona, Miss.) 1851-1875, 1859-05-12


dence;" and little Marietta thought, ii
Providence would only dispense, that
might, at length, find out who is the flow
er dispenser" Father jerome was neve
wrong.
On a summer night, when it was ia
too warm for rest, Marietta awoke yer,
early, and could not resume her sleep
Therefore she sprang from her couch a.
the first streaks of dawn flashed agains
the window of her little chamber, owe
the waves Of the sea and the Laviniar
Isles, dressed herself and went out IL
wash her face, neck and arms in the coo
spring. She took her hat with her, in
tending to walk by the ea-shore as sbt
knew OF retired place for bathing.
In order to reach this spot it was ne.
cessary to pass over the rocks, behind
the house, and thence down through the
orange and palm trees. On this ocoa.
sion Marietta could not pass through
them; for under the youngest, and most
slender OF the palms, lay tall young
man, in profound sleep-near him nose
gay of splendid flowers. A white paper
lay thereon, from which, probably sigh
was again breathing. How could Mari
eta get by therel She stood still, trem-
bling with fright. She would go home
again. Hardly had she retreaied a cou-
pie of steps, ere she looked again at the
sleeper, and became motionless. Yet the
distance prevented her from recognising
his face. Noc, the mystery was to be
solved, or never. She TIPPED lightly
nearer the palms--but he seemed to stir
then she ran again towards the cottage.
His movements were but the fearful i'm
aginings of Marietta--now she returned
on her way to the palms-but his sleep
might perhaps be dissembled-swiftly
she ran towards the cottage--but who
would flee for a mere probability. She
trod more boldly the path to the palms.
With these fluctuations of her timid,
Joyous spirit, between fright and curios-
lty, with these to and fro trippings, be-
tween the house and the palms, she at
length nearly approached the sleeper: at
The same time curiosity became stronger
Than fear.
What is he TO ne! My way leads
me directly past him. whether he sleeps
,r wakes, | will 60 straight on" SO
ihought Manon's daughter But she
passed not by, but stood looking directly
n the face OF The fower-giyer, in order
o be certain who it was. Besides, he
dept as if it were the first time in a
month. And who was it? Now who
Use should it be but the arch, wicked
Colin!
. So it was he who had annoyed the gen
lie maiden, and given her so much trou-
lie with Herr Hautmartin, hecause he
,ore grudge against her; ne had been
he one who had tcased her with flowers,
n order to torture her curiosity. Where
ore? He hated Marietta. He behaved
limself, always, most shamefully towards
he poor child. He avoided her when he
'ould, and when he could not, he grieved
he good natured little one. With al!
he other maidens of Napoule, he was
more chatty, friendly, courteous, tn n to-
Yards Marietta. Consider--he had new
i once asked her to dance, and yet, she
anced bewitchingly.
Now there he lay, surprised-taken in
he act. Revenge swelled in Marietta's
osom. What disgrace should she sub
act him to. She took the nosegay, un-
Dosed it, strewed his present over the
leeper in scorn. But the paper on which
gain appeared the sigh, Dear Mari
tta," she retained, and thrust quickly
lto her bosom. She wished to preserve
his proof of his handwriting. Marietta
1as shy. Now she would so away. But
er revenge was not satisfied. She could
OF leave the place without returning Co
ms i'll will. She took the violet. .colored,
ilken ribbon from her hat, and threw it
ghtly around the sleeper's arm, and
round the tree, and with three knots
ed Colin fast. Now when he awoke
ow astonished he would be! How his
uriosity would torment him to know who
ad played him this trick. That, he
'ould not possibly discover. SO much
he better; it served him right.
Marietta bad only been too lenient to-
ards him. She seemed to regret her
ofk when she had finished it. Her bo-
,m throbbed impetuously, Indeed
elieve that little tear filed her eye,
5 she compassionately gazed on the
uity one. Slowly she retreated to the
range grove by the rocks-she looked
round often--siowly ascended the rocks, |
,oking down among the palm trees as
10 ascended. Then she FASTENED to
Ioiher Manon, who was calling her.
CHAPTER VIII.