Connecticut western news., 1874-09-25
'' True," responded Claude. Jean was silent and sad.

Have you nothing to say 2'' inquired
 "Yes," replied Jean; "I have a proposition to make."
 "What is it?"
 "Jeanette, you know, can marry but one of us."
 "No one will be fool enough to dis pute that fact" said Claude.
 "There are two too many in the field; let us fight, and whoever is vic- torious shall claim her as fairly his."
 "I have something else to suggest, D said Pierre. 'Let us play for her, and the game decide her choice. Are you both willing?"
 "The result will be the same to me, no matter what we do," replied Boileau; Gas, no matter what course is taken, I must lose. I, however, prefer fight, because I have the chance of being killed, which is preferable to life wit h out the woman love-"
 Well, let us draw fate shall de- cide," replied Claude.
 A cent was thrown into the air, and the decision made that they should fight. +-..
 The following day the three rivals met in the cemetery, the place appoint ed for the combat. The proper pre- liminalies were observed, and the bat. tie was about to commence in good earnest, when Jeanette suddenly ap- peared. Her cheeks were pale and stained with tearss "I 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 hour," 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 gain my favor? i Foolish fellows, not to remember that had one of you been spared, he would have been hate ful to me, owing to the losh of the others"
 "I did not think of that" said Pierre.
 Woman-ike, would have dearly loved the dead or wounded" continued Jeanette, "and your trouble, if vic- torious, would have been for nothing but frown."
 Jean sighed, and regretted silently not to be either dead or wounded.
 "The matter can be amicably set- tied, added the young girl but first l must receive your promise to do just as bid you."
 A unanimous promise was instantly given, and Jeanette resumed:
 love you all now as though you were my brothers :; but the day in all probability will come, when I 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 faithful subjects conduced their queen to her cottage, and there bade her fare- well.
 It was a bright summer morning when the friends set out on their jour. ney, determined to abide by the prom ise faithfully pledged.
 The curate, who had known them from their birth, celebrated mass for the benefit of their souls; and the whole village bade them God-speed. After the departure of the three young men, Jeanette lived as she had always done, rising with the sun. sing ing with the birds, gathering the sweet est flowers, doing good to all, particu. larly 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" mur- mured old Father Simon, her rneighbor {; but sometimes Andre contested the point, aeeming 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 kneeling before the image of the Virgin. and the altar sacred to the Blessed Mother was always adorned with flowers, which were the young girls peace-ofering. The three years had almost expired, and the travellers were hourly expected.
 "I am sure Pierre has become great man," said old Simon.
 "And Claude a millionaire, re- sponded his friend Andre.
 One day, quite in the middle of sum- mer, three travellers stepped at the only inn the village contained. The first arrived in 8 carriage, the second on horseback, and the third on foot. The first was followed by servant, the second wore the uniform of a |" chas- l seur d. Atrique," and sported epauIettes and cross, but as to the third, he ap- peared poor, and his garments were threadbare. They were the three old friends, Claude, Pierre, and Jean. The news of their arrival soon spread. and the population, e's naGSse, turned out to welcome them. Claude's carriage was much admired. Pierre's uniform pronounced magnificent. As to Jean. no one paid him the slightest attention, for it was easy to see that travel had been to him of small profit.
 Jeanette arrived, as rosy as cherry. and looking more beautiful than ever.
 "The three years have now elapsed 5 said Pierre, land we have returned, hoping you have not forgotten your promise, dearest Jeanette.
 "I remember, and will keep my word," responded the girl.
 Jean raised his eyes timidly, looking first at Jeanette and then upon Pierre, who seemed radiant with the hope of conquest.
 "All must promise to bear no enmity towards the one I choose" said Jeanette.
 "Goodl I promise for myself and the rest" replied Pierre, twisting his moustache confidently. "I must now hear the experience oi ) each" resumed Jeanette. "You, } Claude, shall commence"
 "When I left the village" said Claude, "I had but few hundred