Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-29
TContinued from first page

lNouliuutu ifOn paSSsI
10 the centre of the village. where was not
the inn, but foundation where cattle
might drink, and where the knots of peo-
pie were for the most part assembled.
Cattle, maidens. aud young men came
along together but in the midst of all
was one brown and-white COW. wreathed
with flowers and leaves, led by Pierre
Gruning, smiling and radiant, and on the
other side, holding his hand, came young
girl-a girl with dark wavy hair. bright
face and elastic step with the snowiest oil
white caps, and against her scarlet bodice
lay the cluster OF lilies. None OF the 9TH
er girls had flowers but she. Lisette Pig
non was the queen of the day. 1t was her
fete day, and she loved lilies more than
any other flower; so that Pierre, who was
to be her husband one day, had gathered
them.
So they came along-he, manly and
strong, the son of the wealthy landlord OF
La Belle Maria; she the daughter OF
old Veuve Plignon, whose husband had
died three years, and left her lone and
PROOF. But Lisette and her little sister
were the prettiest and the best girls in the
village, and Pierre was thought lucky
fellow TO have won Lisette.
r
cows decorated in honor of Lisette's fete,
belonged to Veuve Plignon, and Lisette
of Therese took them every morning, and
brought them back at night. That night
it was Pierres hand, not Lisette's, that Sc
cured them in their nights resting place,
and Lisette only looked on and played with
the lilies.
She loved the lilies, their purity, and
fro nj oil lint hn
more and as she stood waiting for him,
she daintily fingered the snowy flowers.
and bent her lips to kiss the cluster at her
breast. Her bright face flushed over the
white blossoms, for she was thinking OF
him and all her love for him. For many
days after, she kept the lilies in water,
and when they would live no longer, she
pressed them and carried them always
with her.
Perhaps on her next fete day she would
be Lisette Gruning, but she would always
keep the lilies.
That summer she and Pierre were very
happy. He worked well with his father
at the inn, was steady and shrewd, and
was making money, and showed he knew
well how to keep it-a virtue to be priced
in the old mans eyes, who had worked
no young man equal to his son in aught
else, had looked out for promise OF this
one quality as necessary finish TO all his
other good points. And in due course
finding it, he was satisfied.
Now and then, Pierre, hardy noun
taineer, like all the youths OF Melnotte,
would guide one or other of the few trav-
elers who came to the village up the
tain ri aIu hal
and his companions, too, had scaled the
precipitous sides of the old giants tower
ing above their heads amid the clouds
Even the dark peak of the Ritterhorn was
no stranger to their steady feet and daunt-
less spirit of adventure. The more dan
gerous the climbing, the better the lads
liked it, and no foot was surer, no leading
more to be trusted. than that Of Pierre.
Rarely did the summer tourists attempt
the terrific ascent of the Ritterhorn. Only
once or twice had any one come to Mel
notte daring IL; but then it had been a
signal for the widest and bravest lads to
volunteer as guides under Pierre's lead
ing. Gold was earned by it OF course
but to these reckless daring spirits, gold
was nothing in comparison with the glory !
OF conquering danger and difficulty.
DhS S'Sh'uSs thCb, al tHC SuIIfDtI lldl
followed the spring OF Pierre and Lisette's
bethrothal, two travellers came into Mel
notte at about the same hour when we first
saw Lizette with her cluster of lilies. The
lilies were faded and dead, but Lisette had
them by her still and that summer even
ing, as she and Pierre were standing to-
gether by the old fountain in the little !
Place OF Melnotte, she was thinking OF
them, and how her love for him had grown.
He had often given her flowers since, but
there were none she loved like those fair
white ones he had given her on her fete-
day.
The knots of people stood about as on
that other evening the village looked very
much the same. Old Hans Gruning was
at the door of La Belle Maria, as was his
wont; the children played and screamed
Plerre and Lisette stood together. All |
was the same, except that perhaps the sun
was brighter and the air hotter than on
that spring evening.
Very hot indeed the two travellers SEEM
ed to think it. They were knapsack laden
and had evidently, by their dusty gar
ments. been walking for miles along the
valleys. With an exclamation of relief
and joy at coming to rest, they disappear
ed beneath the hospitable portals OF La
Belle Maria, to be cheered and fed by its
smiling host.
Continued to morrow