The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-05-12

morning the miraculous flowers lay
upon the rock, and upon the strip OF
paper wound round them she always
read the silent sigh, DEAR MARIETTA
Such an incident would have made
even the most Indifferent inquisitive.
But curiosity at length became II burn
ing pain. Fourth vcXation.
W1CKEDNTss UPON w1CKEDNEss.
Now Father jerome, on Sunday, had
again preached from the text, "Mystc-
rious arc the dispensations of provi-
dcncc." And little Marietta thought
if Providence would only dispense that
| might at length find out who is the
flower dispenser. Father jerome was
never wrong.
On summer night, when il was far
too warm for rest, Marietta awokc very
early, and could not resume her sleep.
Therefore she sprang joyously from her
couch, as the first streaks of dawn flashed
against the window of her little cham
bcr over the waves of the sea and the
IN i7iN'', NlNHNNNi lNlNNll, W tlll Dlil
to wash her forehead, breast, and arms
in the cool spring. She took her hat
with her, intending to take Il walk by
the sca-shorc, as she knew of retired
place for bathing.
In order to reach this retired spot il
was necessary TO pass over the rocks be-
hind the house, and thence down
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 Il tall
young man, in profound slccp-ncar
him nOsrgay Of most splendid flowers.
A white paper lay thereon, from which,
| probably, Il sigh was again breathing.
How could Marietta get by there?
She stood still, trembling with fright.
She would 90 home again. Hardly had
she retreatcd Il couple Of steps ere she
looked again ut the sleeper, and remain
cd mOtionlcss. Yet the distance pre-
vented her from recognizing his face
Now the mystery was to be solved OF
never. She trippcd lightly nearer tc
the palms-but he seemed to stir-thcr
she ran again toward the cottage. His
movements We're but the fearful i'm.
aginings of Marietta. Now she returned
again on her way toward the palms
but his sleep might perhaps be only
disscmblcd-swittly she ran towards
the cottage-but who would flee for 6
mere probability? She trod more boldly
the path toward the palms.
With these fluctuations Of her timiC
and joyous spirit between fright anG
curiosity, with these to and fro trippings
| between the house and the palm trees,
she at length nearly approached the
sleeper; at the same time curiosity be.
came more powerful than fear.
"What is he to me? My way lead,
me directly past him. Whether he
sleeps or awake ! will go straight on.''
So thought Manon's daughter. But she
passed not by, but stood looking direct
~ in the face of the tiOWcr-giver, in
order to be certain who it was. Besides,
he slept as if it We're the first time in Il
month. And who was it? Now who
else should t be but the arch, wicked
Colin?
So it was he who had annoyed the
gentle maiden, and given her 50 much
trouble with Herr Hautmartin, because
he bore a grudge against her; he had
been the one who had teaspd her with
flowers, in order to torture her curiosity
Wherefore? He hated Marietta. He
behaved himself always most shame
fully toward the poor child. lie avoid
ed her when he could and when he
could not, he grieved the gOOd-naturcd
little one. With all the other maidens
of Napoulc hcWas more chatty, friendly,
and courteous than toward Marietta.
Considerable had never once asked her
to dance, and yet she danced bewtch-
inSly.
Now there he lay, surprised, taken in
the act. Revenge sWcllcd in Murictta'S
bosom. What disgrace could she sub
icct him to? She took the nOscgay, un-
loo,cd it, Strcwcd his present over the
sleeper in sCorn. But the paper, on
which appeared again the sigh, "Dear
MarettA,n she retained, and thrust
quickly into her bosom. She wished to
preserve this proof Of his handwriting,
Marietta was sly. Now she would go
away. But her revenge was not vet
satisfied. She could not leave the place
without returning Collins ill-Will. She
took the ViOlet-cOlorCd sill<cn ribbon
from her hat, and threw ii lightly
around the slCcper's arm and around
the tree, and with three knots tied Colin
fast. Now when hc awoke how as
tonishcd he would be! How his curl
osity would torment him to ascertain
who had played him this trick! That
he could not possibly discover. Somuch
the better; it served him right.
Marietta had only been too lcniont
toward him. She seemed to regret her
work when she had finished it. Her
bosom throbbcd impetuOusly. Indeed,
| believe that Il little tear filed her eye,
as She compassionately gazcd upon the
guilty one, Slowly she rctrcatcd to the
orange grove by the rocls-she looked
around often; slowly yaScendcd the rocks,
looking down among the palm trees rs
she assembled. Then she fastened to.
mother Manon, who was calling her.
THE II NT-BANp,
THAT very day colin practised new
mischief. What did he? lie wished to