Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-30
NO. IT,.
Gales aud Sketehss.
A CLUSTER OF LILIES.
Continued from Yesterday

Before the evening had faded into night,
a rumor had floated out from the hostelry,
in and out amongst the knots of villagers
that the Ritterhorn was to be scaled on the
morrow. The two travellers had come to
Melnotte for the express purpose of see-
ing the hoary head of the rocky giant face
to face. Hans Gruning's one word of
prudence in warning of the danger was
unheeded. They knew all about that
had braved as great danger; were firm of
foot and steady of brain, and would not
be gainsaid.
To the daring Melnotte lads their speech
was as the first shout of war song. Vol
unteers sprang more than was needed;
only Pierre the leader hung back. His
flashing eyes told how he himself was
ready; but Lisette was by his side implor-
ing, and he wavered between the sum-
mons of his courage and the pleading of
his love.
Lisette said
"Ask Jules Kerdrel to lead them. He
IS brave and strong-and | am afraid for
| thee"
pierre only answered.
SILLY one! have come back safe SO
many times; and now | have thee to
think Of l should not tremble now,
surely"
"Ah, no " sighed Lisette; but do not
go"
So he yielded to her; and when they
shouted for him to come and make plans,
he said he should not guide them, and
asked Jules to take his place.
What followedP Shouts that he must
come that he was the best leader-the
only one who knew so we'll the Ritter
/ nd ha Of 7
| good tempered raillery, and laughs. The
praise and the confidence he smiled back,
and stood erect; but the raillery shook
him, and his glance wandered from the
men to Lisette, where she stood as he had
left her by the side of the old fountain.
What was the end? Pierre was but q
man, like many another he could be firm
against the wiles and praise of fattery.
and brave in the thew and sinew, but he
could not stand being laughed at, or listen
second time to a sneer that woman
| was his master. One such whisper he
had heard, and Lisette's pleadings van
ished into nothing and when he came
back to her by the old fountain he told
| her he was to be the guide as usual.
Lisette's eyes were fearful. but her cheek
| flushed, and she said quickly
"Ah, you do not love me ~
Pierres words were tender, but he was
| firm; and he scolded away her anger. and
laughed away her fears. But as Lsette
| smiled quietly at him, the tears welled up
| into her eyes, and her heart was sorrow
| full with great fear she had never known
before. She was frightened at herself:
her love for Pierre was growing to be
terror instead of the peaceful joy it had
been.
| But she kept the great terror to herself,
and when at the first dawn of day the
travellers and Melnotte youths started. she
was up 10 show Pierre she was no longer
angry with him, and to give them all
Bon uoyaqe!"
The night came, and they had not re-
turned. They had been seen at various
stages OF the ascent; even tiny specks
were watched climbing up the rocky peak
and straining eyes knew they were safe so
far. The specks were counted all were
there. They were seen again descending
but crags had shut them out from view
and once the summit gained and the home
ward journey commenced, the watchers
turned aside with a surer trust that all
would be well.
Men started on the road to meet the
| hOme-comers, and for uhile breathless
waiting reigned in Menotte; but by and
| by sounds were heard, and hushed whis-
pers grew into uttered words.
They come, they come' ran from
mouth to mouth and piercing through the
darkness, the women and watchers saw
come, tollng with weary steps, the group
of looked-for ones.
A stream of lamplight and freight
flashed out over the road from the open
door of La Belle Maria. Hans Grunlng
stood there waiting, his CHEEKY face grave
and stern. The party came into the stream
| of light mothers, sisters, tiancees, crowd
ed round, and forth from all rushed Lis
cite. her snowy cap and scarlet bodice
brilliant in the stream Of light. She seiz-
ed travellers arm, foremost in the group.
| pierre, my Pierre !" she cried, "why
is he not here? What have you done with
him.?
| Even in the darkness she had counted
had distinguished those who had left in the
morning from those who had Just gone TO
the nine who had started only six had
come back Pierre was not there Jules
| kerdrel was not there; one traveller, an
Englishman, was not there.
The tale was told. Jules kerdrel Slip
|
moved to save him, and fell For one sec
ond their companions saw them-that
was all,
The three would never come back to
Melnotte.
Lisette stood and heard all. One word
only she uttered Pierre Pierre ~
pressed her hands tightly ON her breast,
and ran like a wild thing across the place
over 10 her mothers house
From that day Melnotte. the sunny. JOY
Gus little village, was new place. Hans
Gruning had lost his hope; La Belle Maria
was no longer CHEEKY hostelry; the vii
lage politics were no longer discussed in
its capacious rooms; Lisette went about her
days work sadly and listlessly, and the
whole life of the place was saddened.
The gossips whispered as she passed. and
some one said 'Lisette will die she cries
not she is so silent" Others said; "H IN
no such thing She grieves-ah. yes,
that is natural. But wait--wait only a
year and she is young--she will forget"
Soon after lett MeInotte. Bat in the
| snr;nO.tima nf tho naxt yaar 7 Waa y,aar III