The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1874-10-13

cite suddenly hppehrtu. Her ch1chS
were pale aud stained with tears. Il
know all, she said, 'and there must be
an end of this strife
And so there will be, if you will let
us alone for about an hsur,' exclaimed
Pierre, provoked at the interruption.
Hold your tongue, When | choose
to have the matter end it will do so. and
not until then responded Jeanette.
How could you give me so much trouble
So you were going to fight, and perhaps
kill each other, in order TO gein my
favor? Foolish fellows not to remember
that had one of you been spared, he
would have been hateful to me. owing to
the loss of the others
Il did not think of that. said Pierre.
'Woman.ike, would have dearly
loved the dead or wounded continued
Jeanette and your trouble, if victorious,
wonld have been for nothing but frown.
Jean sighed, and regretted silently not
to be either dead or wounded
The matter can be amicably settled,
added the young girl but first | must
receive your promise to do just as | bid
you
A unanimous promise was instantly
given. and Jeanette resumed
Il love you all now rs though you
were my brothers but the day in all
probability will come, when will choose
one of you for my husband. In order to
decide the question, you must each leave
the village and remain away three years.
On your return, you will tell me in what
manner you occupied your time during
your absence. He who loves me best
and merits me the most | will accept
will marry Now let us shake hands and
part
And so it was arranged The under.
standing being concluded, the three faith.
full subjects conducted their queen to her
cottage. and there bade her farewell
1t was bright summer morning when
the friends set out on Their journey, de-
termincd to abide by the promise faith.
fully pledged.
The curate. who had known them from
their birth, celebrated mass for the bene.
III VI tutiT sOuis anu 'he Wuulc NhiaBt
bade then God.speed
After the departure of the three young
men, Jeanette lived as she had always
done rising with the sun. singing with
the birds, gathering the sweetest flowers,
doing good to all, particularly the poor,
and toiling faithfully to add to her little
store At times the shadow Of faint
cloud would gather upon her fresh young
face. and she seemed absorbed by some
secret thought.
She is thinking Of Pierre. murmured
old Father Simon, her neighbor but
sometimes Andre contested the point,
leemins Claude the subject Of her
thoughts No one mentioned poor Jean,
or if they did. it was to quote his usual
ill.luck and want of success
jeanette danced less and prayed more
frequently. Her friends found her in
church kuceling before tho image of the
Virgin, and the alter sacred to the Bless.
P s,,..,-~. ~ ~,o-..-.i ..-:.h
flowers. which were the young girls
peace. offering The three years had
almost expired and the travellers weic
hourly expected.
Il am sure Pierre ha. become 4 grea,
man, said old Simon.
And Claude millionaire responded
his friend Andre.
One day. quite in the middle Of sum
mer, three travellers stopped at the only
inn the village contained. The first ar
rived in carriage, the second on horse
back, and the third on foot. The first
was followed by a servant, the second
wore the uniform of 'chasscur d Atri
que, and sported epeulettes and cross
but as to the third. he appeared poor
and his garments we're threadbare. They
we're the three old friends. Claude, Pier
re. and Jean The news Of their arriva
soon spread, and the population en- maSSe
turned ont to welcome them. Claude
carriage was much admired. Pierre
| uniform pronounced magnificent. AS tt
? Jean no one paid him the slightest atten
: ton, for it was easy to see that trave
0 had been of small profit.
J, jeanette arrived, as rosy rs uherI,
a and looked more beautiful than ever.
;. The three years have now elapsed
Y said Pierre, and We have returned
e hoping you have not forgotten you
@ promise, dearest jeanette.
i remember, and will keep my word
!, responded the girl,
r Jean raised his eyes limidly, lookin
c first at jeanette and then upon Pierre
II who seemed radiant with the hope of col
G quest.
!. 'All must promise to bear no rumlt
o towards the one | choose. said jeanette
d Good promise for myself and III
rest, replied Pierre. twisting his mou
10 tache confidently.
ID each, resumed jeanette. y on. Claud
,e shall commence.
When lett the village, said Claud
ut Il had but few hundred francs Fo
d. tune, however, favored ne. speculate
he and soon doubled my capital before Il
Of expiration Of the first year had iocreaS'
it immensely; and, to make long stol
ve short. am master Of large iortun
which now lay at your feet eou
have married my partners daughie
girls have smiled upon me by the scor'
"a have seldom been weak general
faithful to all my VOWS, and now prese
81 you my fortune and myself
Bravo, Claude = exclaimed Andr
i always bot on you.
ut And you. Pierre, what have y
done ?" inquired Father Simon
lie We'll about five leagues from
village | Ioet detachment OF soldier
d said r.erre. They were on their "
'us to Join the regiment in Africa, \
know always like fighting so | voll
t. teercd. In every battle felt that Jel
nd eite was beside me and spurred Inc on
ou glory. received three balls. and sew
al sabrecuis, but my captain called
no brave and was earnest. In Il word
,c,l,l ~, Ia ha oarUioa a,,l Guallu A,