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

broken cup and the Paradise lost. Ma
rictta wept bitterly.
The Justice, when he saw the broken
cup and his beautiful bride in tears, flew
into so violent rage toward Colin
that his nose was as Violct-cOlOrCd as
Marrictta's well-known hat-band. He
Immediately dispatched his baiills to
bring the criminal before him.
Colin came overwhelmed with grief.
Mother Manon now repeated her COM
plaint with great eloquence, before JUS
ticc, baililis, and scribcs. But Colin
listened not. He stepped to Marietta
and whispered to her, " Forgive me,
dear Marietta, as ! fOrgave thee. l
brokethy cup punintentionally but thou,
thou hast broken my heart !"
"What whispering is that?" cried
Herr Hautmartin, with magisterial au-
thority. "Hearkcn to this accusation,
and defend yourself"
81 have nought to defend. broke tho
cup against my WILL" said Colin.
THAT | verify believe" said Mari
eta sobbing Il am as guilty as he ;
for / offended and angercd him; then
he threw the ribbon and flowers to me.
He could not help it,"
"Well, should like to knoww cried
mother NIanon. "Do you intend to
defend him? Mr.. Justice, pronounce
his sentence. He has broken the cup,
and he does not deny it; and I, on his
account, the window-will he deny that?
Let Us see."
"Since you cannot deny it, Mr.. Colin"
said the Justice, "you must pay three
hundred livres for the cup, for it is
worth that and then for"
"No," interrupted Colin, "it is not
worth so much. ! bought it at Nencc,
at the fair, for Marietta, for one hum
drcd livres."
" You bought it, sir, brazen face ?"
shriclicd the Justice, and his whole face
became like Marietta's hat-band. He
could not or would not say more, for he
dreaded disagrceable investigation of
the matter.
But Colin was veXed ut the imputa-
ton, and said, "I sent this cup on the
evening of the fair, by your own SER
want, to Marietta. There stands JAG
qucs in the door. He is a witness.
Speak, Jacques, did not give thee the
box to carry to Mrs. Manon?"
Herr Hautmartin wished to inter-
rupt this conversation by speaking
loudly. But the simple Jacques said,
"Only recollect, Herr Justice, you took
away Collins box from me, and carried
what was in it to Frau Manon. The
box lies, even now, there under the
papers"
Then the bailifls were ordered to re-
move the simpleton; and Colin was
also directed to retire until he should
be sent for again.
every well, Mr.. Justice" intorposed
Colin; :" but this business shall be your
last in Napouc. know this, that you
would ingratiate yourselfwith Frau Ma
non and Marietta by means of my
property. When you want me you
will have to ride to Grasse, to the Gov
ernOr's." With that Colin departed.
Herr IIautmartin was quite puzzled
with this affair, and in his confusion
knew not what he was about. Mrs.
Manon shook her head. The affair was
dark and mysterious to her. "Who
will now pay me for the broken Cup?'
she asked.
"To me-" said Marietta, with. glow
ing, frightened countenancc, "tO me it
is already paid for"
MYSTERIOUS DISPENSATIONS
COLIN rode that same day to the Gov
crnor, ut Grasse, and came back carly
the next morning. But Mr.. IIautmar-
tin only laughed at him, and removed
all mother ManOn's suspicious by
swearing he would let his nose be cut
off if Colin did not pay three hundred
livres for the broken cup. Healso went
with mother Manon to talkwith Father
jerome about the marriage, and i'm
pressed upon him the necessity of earn
estly setting before Marietta her duty,
as an obcdient daughter, of not oppos-
ing the will of her mother in her mar
riage. This the pious old man promised,
although he understood not the half of
what they shouted in his ear.
Marietta took the broken cup into her
bcd-chambcr, and now truly loved it;
and it was as if Paradise were planted
in her bosom, since it had been destroy
ed on the cup.
When Monday morning came mother
Manon said to her daughter, Dress
yourself handsomely, and carry this
myrtle wreath to Father Jerome; he
wants it for bride" Marietta, dressed
in her Sunday clothes, took the myrtle
wreath unsuspiciously, and carried it to
Father jerome.
On the way Colin met her, and greet
ed her joyfully, though timidly; and
when she told him where she was taking
the wreath Colin said, ~ am going the
same way, for am carrying the money
for the Church's tenths TO the priest"
And as they went on he took her hand
silently, and both trCmblcd, as if they
designed some great crime against each
other.
"Hast thou forgiven me-" whispered
Colin anXiously. "Ah! Marietta, what
have done to thee, that thou art SO
cruel toward mc""
She could only say, "Bc quiet, Colin,
you shall have the ribbon again; and
will preserve the cup, since itcamc from