Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1880-01-23
ST. JOHN'IS EVE.
by the Author of"Pat'y."

YES OR NO.
After that night grent change showed it.
self in Marie Gourin. Her bright archness,
her sunny butterfly ways which had made her
SO popular in the little village, were scarcely
ever apparent. The only times when she
sparklcd into one of her old smiles was when
she was trying to cheer Jehan's blind cousin
Michel
She and her mother never spoke of Jehan.
Louis Mellac came often to the cottage, but
he usually talked to Barba, and Marie had
not guess, d that his visits were meant for
her. He had promised Barba that he would
find tenant for his cottage, and she had put
away her anxiety. Marie must not be hur-
red, she thought, but surely this marriage
with Monsieur Mellac would be the best pos
sible arrangement at was meant to hap
pen !" Rarba repeated this till she believed
she was piously doing Gods will in encourag
ing the hopes of the rich farmer.
1t was warm evening in June. Barba
sat in her cottage spinning, thinking over
Mellac's suit, aud wondering how all would
end. All at once she heard step outside,
and she left her spinning and went to the
door to meet her visitor He came into the
cottage with q determined look on his face,
and seating himself he said, Marie has wait
ed long enough" without any greeting to
Madame Gourin.
Barba was startled out Of her dream of Sc
curity, as he went on roughly, II have been
doing all | can to please and comfort you,
neighbor. Most landlords would have asked
for their rent at the quarter but il Marie is
to be my wife there need be no question of
rent between you and me. But now it is
time for you to try and please me i'll this mat
ter"
Marie had said that her mother had forgot
ten Jehan, and truly Barba had tried to for
get her own affection for the true and gener-
ous-hearted young fisherman but at these
words it seemed to her that Jehan stood be-
fore her, his dark eyes full of mournful re-
proach. Involuntarily she crossed herself,
and murmured an ejaculatory prayer.
Mellac started.
What did you see ?" he said. "You
looked as if you saw the Ankou beside the
hearth"
Barba shook her head. II see nothing
present" she said. Your words alarm me.
fear you are over hasty-Marie is still so
young"
The farmer rose. His face looked hard
and stolid, as usual, but there was menace in
his small, sunken eyes.
bah am tired of excuses, Barba Gour-
in. | mean to wed Marie therefore, if you
shrink from telling her so, will tell her my
self. You can choose. Tell her tonight, or
| shall tell her tomorrow" he said roughly.
Barba hesitated but the farmers face told
her that she must yield.
II will do your bidding" she said simply,
and Louis Mellac walked out of the house,
without 80 much as saying goOd-day TO her
Barba sat with her hands in her lap till Ma
rie came in then she reused and told her
daughter Of Mellacs proposal
The girl listened, looked hard at Barba TO
be sure she was in earnest, and then she gave
a sad smile.
Mother" she said, "Jehan is not dead
cannot wed Louis Mellac while my heart is
with Jehan Kerrec."
BarbR gave her back a scared look that
startled Marie "Child. she said "but now,
while I listened TO Monsieur Mellac, l saw
Jehan he passed by me with the sad smile
of the departed Stay, Marie, the girl
shook her head incredulously, but Barba laid
her hand solemnly on her arm, lit is that
that makes me sure. When my mother was
young she too lost her lover, and she went a
long journey beyond Douarnenez, even to
the shores Of the Bale des Trepasscs. There
she waited as long as she dared for il is a
perilous thing to do. She watched one misty
shape after another assemble at the edge of
the water, and wave long shsdow-like arms
to hasten the boatman who flies between that
fated shore and the Isle de Sein. But she
did not see her lover She told me he was
perhaps there, after all for every face she
gazed on wore so subdued and sad a smile
that she could not distinguish one from an
other; they seemed but mournful repetitions
of the same face. And for this reason know
that Jehan is among those who have left u.s."
Marie stood thinking. She had heard this
story before, but that was when her heart had
been hardened against sad impressions by
present happiness. A wild idea of going TO
the shore of the departed now thrilled through
her. 1t seemed TO her that she would recOg-
nize her beloved among the sad faces how
ever many there might be and then hope
rose, and told her it was folly TO seek Jehan
among the dead.
when did you think you saw him ?" she
asked abruptly.
Just before you came in. will tell you
all the truth, Marie. Louis Mellac has long
loved you, he has often asked me to speak to
you for him, and l have said no. and bade
him wait. But tonight he said he would
wait no longer, and then, all at once, saw
Jehan's pale, sad face"
Marie broke in impetuously, "You saw Je-
han yes, and what did that mean A? Mother,
you are wise for other peoples visions, but
you cannot read your own. Jehan's face was
shown you to remind you of him, TO bid you
beware of giving his promised wife to anoth-
er man for 1 am no longer yours TO give"
the girl said passionately. ''You gave me to
Jehan am his his only, Here and for
ever, mother / am his. Maid, wife or wild
ow, l can never put one in the place of my
love. There is no place here, she put her