American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1880-04-17

In hard work at Brussels the winter
went by coldly, the spring more coidly
still; then came fiery summer, and
thought gladly of rushing back to my
nest in the Ardennes-
"They were to be married at the
New Year." I said. "She Is quite a
matron now. All, well! hope Antoine,
the blacksmith, will make her a good
husband-good and true. for he has the
fairest flower of the Ardennes."
l asked no questions of my house
summer home, and in the morning the
good dame was busy, so 1 strolled down
to the village and called at the good
cures.
Yes, he is at home," said the priest 6
sister; ''but he is engaged"
"Then l will wait awhiles" 1 an
swered, and I stepped into the little
parlor.
When the door was closed and was
left alone the hum of voices reached
me, and looking into the garden 1 saw
the cure seated on a rustic bench near
the window. A mufiied figure stood by
him. but she leaned against the wal,
and could not see her face
"No, my father; let him who caused
my pain partake of it. It seems that l
must die. Well. let him see me die.
Let him know what he has DONE"
The book had taken up fell from my
hand. This was kulalie's voice, changed
and broken, but no less sweet and mu-
steal.
my child" said the priest. "you
are wrong; these feelings are sinful;
q 90 xy<,S -
No, father; not revenge; Heaven has
avenged me. The girl for whom he left
me is dead-cut down in the midst of
her triumph and joy-dead. after only
one days illness. How, then, can
have thoughts of vengeance in my
hearth And although l. too. die, the
good God has been merciful to me. l
die slowly, inch by inch, and not in
joy. rs she did. No; joy and l parted
long ago."
ssBut, my daughter. surely for one
80 near the end, thy thoughts are toe
much engrossed by this world. Come
to me in confessional and hear of Heav-
emily things, and put the thoughts Of this
marriage behind thee as q temptation
of the enemy"
Oh. father. you mistake mer' cried
Eulalie. and there was slight ring of
indignation in her voice. do no
wicked thing in marrying Antoine. l
love him. He is come back to me in
sorrow and remorse, and no one will
believe that have forgiven him if 1 do
not become his wife. II he is my
husband he can nurse and tend me; he
can come to my bedside and receive
my last prayer, my last word; but if
refuse him must die away from his
presence and my mother viii hate
him."
Say no more. poor child; I viii mar
ry thee, IL thou wilt
Thanks. father. Allthe formalities
the law demands are done; we will
come to church tomorrow"
She went down the garden with q fee
BILE step, and as she turned to shut the
wicket gate saw her face.
Was this the Flower of st. Etiennep
Poor flowerl how changed and sad, how
pale and broken, since saw her. but q
year ago, radiant in the joy of her first
love.
..What has happenedr' I asked the
cure. as he shook me by the hand.
a. Eulalie is sadly altered. She has Q
dying look upon her face that grieves
!" Her face tells but the sorrowful
truth, my friend. She goes with the
first breath of autumn; she is In . deep
decline.n
..And how IL this, that she is not
married to the blacksmith I over
heard you talk; you marry her to-mor-
row."
Eyes; and I am sorry for it. The
man looks upon this marriage as an ex-
piation Of his sin. and would not grant
him this. poor salve to his conscience
could help it."
:. But they were to have been married
ct the New Year." cried al cannot
understand this delay"
SAT the New Tear Antoine was talk
Sit down and will tell Won the tale.
IAN went well with Antoine and Eu-
lalie till the feast Of St Barbe, last No
vember. At the little village of st.
Barbe, across the hill, there was dance
ON their fete day. Antoine went to it.
Eulalie did not go. The weather was
rough. and he persuaded her to remain
at home. OF late, I think, he had
wearied little Of her love and her
calm temper, which never tried him
with caprice and coquetry.
There was . procession and much
extra service at the Church of st. Barbe
ON the fete day. and I went there to
assist the cure. So it happened that l
passed down among the dancers in the
afternoon and observed Antoine dane
ing vigorously with . handsome girl
named Therese Dufresne."
IL have ever thought him tickle
man." said. interrupting the cures
story with useless sigh.
Tickle and heartless. The dance
49, n