Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-08-13

III tHc SWccG HlolHlu ttll, anu oeaii
! Faye was there, and
Here her eyes filled with tears, and
she would talk no more about France
that day. Jean Faye was young far
mer, industrious and well-to-do, and
so was Pierre Belin. Jean was as
strong and slow as a great OK, while
Pierre was short and meager, but wiry
and not ill-looking.
These two fell in love with Marie,
who, with her innocent blue-eyes, soft
rose-like complexion, and gentle man
ner, might have been the belle of Il
greater place than Il Norman village.
OF the two, Marie preferred Jean Faye.
Now Jean Faye greatly admired Ma
rie's good looks. but he felt greater ad-
miration for the comfortable dot, or
marriage portion, which old Llseau
had promised to bestow on his daugh-
ter. When Pierre Belin was informed
/ by Marie-for her parents left the mat
ter to her-that she could not be his
wife, he said nothing; he only smiled,
and showed his white teeth-those
white teeth which always made Marie
think of Il dogs.
The day for the wedding drew near.
Marie was content, for her parents
were happy, and she liked Jean Faye
very we'll.
Maries parents spent much time III
visiting and talking over the match
with their neighbors, and one day
when they were not at home, and Ma
rie was preparing supper i'll the kitch-
en-. Pierre Belin entered.
Marie Liseau," he said. "a lady S
carriage, from Pont Audemer, has over
turned on the road. The lady has
tainted, and they are bringing her
here"
Marie hurried away to get her mo-
theirs room ready, and the lady was
brought in, supported by her coach
man aud peasant. Pierre Belin was
very ofiicious, and he insisted on lead
ing the way to the room.
The lady proved TO be the wife of a
notary of Pont Audemer, who had
come out for drive. Her laces, silks.
putfs and trimmings amazed the sim
pie Marie. She soon recovered, how
ever, and annouced her intention of
departing. As she was going down
stairs she suddenly uttered a startled
Exclamation, and asked:
.'Where is my diamond star: had
lit herein this bow on my bosom"
They went back to-the-vHam, and
searched. The star, which Marie had
not noticed, was not there. The lady
was greatly agitated.
what will my husband say: she
exclaimed. "it was worth five hundred
francs"
! In the kitchen they found Pierre
Belin. lie said that he was certain
madame had the cross when she was
carried into the room.
Then" she said, turning to Marie.
''you must have taken i:.'
In vain. Marie, stunned by the ac-
cusation, sobbed and protested. The
notary's wife insisted that she was the
thief. This man here testifes that |
had the ornament when | was carried
into the room. After that You alone
were with me. Confess your crime,
return the star and | will not appeal
to the law
"Oh, Marie. Marie. | would not
have believed this of YOU exclaimed
Pierre Belin. ''Here come your poor
parents, ungrateful girl.'
! The old people entered. They were
Indignant, horror-stricken at the ac-
cusation: but they never for moment
believed that their daughter was gull
ty. Marie begged that the lady might
search her. This was not agreed to, the
lady refused. Marie must either return
the star or pay its value, five hundred
francs. The latter was Pierre Belin'
suggestion. Five hundred francs
made the exact sum of Marie's dot. OF
course Marie knew nothing of the star,
and her father promised to pay the
money.
Jean Faye will not marry a dover
less girl" whispered Pierre Belin to
Marie, ..but will"
Marie turned away scornfully.-
Pierre only smiled, and said good
night.
Everybody in the village soon knew
the whole story. The old people were
crushed, and Jean Faye refused to
marry Marie, not because of the dis
grace, but because she had no dot.
sat last" said Marie, II could live
there no longer. | said adieu to the
old cure and my good parents, and
came to America, and the good God
has taken care of me. Every day I
look for Il letter from my home, to tell
me that something has happened to
prove that | am not guilty"
And vet Marie is cheerful and con-
tented, and | never see her look sad,
except after each visit of the gray-uni-
formed letter-carrier.
The house next door is being re-
paired, and employed there is young
Irish carpenter, who sings scraps of
old-world tunes at his work all day.
| notice that he watches Marie's fit
ting to and fro on her errands with
much attention. He is u handsome.
frank, honest-looking fellow. The
other day the water-pipes that supply
the houses on the opposite side of the
street got out of order, and Marie had
to come across several times with u
bucket; but each time the Irishman
gallantly filled, and carried it over for
her.
One good turn deserves another, at
any rate, Marie thinks so. Not long
after, the Irishman, whose name, by
the way, is Phil Malone, sat down on
the curbstone to eat his dinner. He
drew from his pocket some articles
which at once proclaimed him to be
an uncared-for bachelor-some thick
slices of bread and chunk of meat.
Mario had haen watnhinn from ha