The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1880-08-13
CHAPTER III.

the urt-yard with visitor. Courage,
my good FRIEND" hear her say, as she
parts with her; Creme will have good
lack, do not doubt" She comes
across TO me, and seats herself beside me.
"What is the matter with Madame
Gomel?" ask.
"Why, Madame knows the cOnscrip-
ton il to be drawn at Gannat the day
after tomorrow; and her boys have to
draw; for though she lost her husband
and one son in the war, she has still two
left, 80 one must take his chance. All
Madame, that | should live to that,
should live to thank God that / have
oniy one!"
"Can she not buy substitute?" /
ask.
"No, Madame; she is poor, and can
not afford 1t. IL only had the money, u
says the kindly little woman, "she
should not want it; but times have been
bad with me lately, and 1 have it not.
However" she continues cheerily,
Creme may draw good number; why
not?" A look almost of terror comes
into Madame's dark eyes. "Ah! they
never return-they never return" she
cries. "And as for no war, who knows
They say that we must get back Alsace
and Lorraine
eyes; for very certain we must, and
WILL" says the old captain, who has
strolled in and joined our group.
"Those pestilent Prussians! Let them
only come again, and this time they
shall not 60 back; we will make each OF
them q present of six feet of French
soil, concludes the old soldier grimly,
fiercely twirling his moustache.
"Ah" sighed Madame, rising and
folding her work. " France may get back
Alsace and Lorraine, but who shall give
us back our children?"
Marines sitting If over now, and she
runs to me Mt once. / have made quite
pet of the little thing. mn getting
an old woman. and like bright young
things about me; and the child has pretty
caressing ways about her, joined to hel
fresh beauty, makes her very winning.
"Will not madame look ?" she cries,
drawing me towards the easel "Is j,
not wonderful how monsieur has made il
like? See my coral necklace! All! if
only had silver chain and lOcket like
madame's, how beautiful it would look
in pictured"
laugh and look at Sterling. "The
coral necklace makes a good point Of
color, and il much prefer than my silver
chain" say in English; "but all young
girls like fashion," and / made up my
mind that before left st. Pourcain my
silver chain should change hands.
When will you have finished? &c
| ynn. s,x x.l.z A.
n call from Madame Petit.
1.-TWO more sittings will be enough, ]
think, is the answer.
~ am glad of it," say, heartily
"for do not think Oscar likes them
He is inclined to be jealous of you"
"Without cause then, am sure, say,
Stirling. "She is lovely little thing Il
paint; but should be sorry to trouble
her lovers peace of mind by even fir
tation. Besides" he continues, with
the frank look in his handsome eyet
which had first won my liking, 81 should
be lOath to do discredit to your recon-
mendation. You have have been 6
sponsor for my good conduct, you know,
/ shall leave here the day after to-mor
row. am in a hurry to get home nov
and to work hard"
l am sorry to lose him, and say 10
We have been on several sketching expo
ditions together, and have found him Q
most pleasant and helpful companion
But still, with that look in Oscars oyes
fresh in my memory, I am glad.
The next day, after the sitting is over,
he goes off to the neighboring town fol-
the rest of the day; and /, feeling "ofl
guard |" as it were, sally forth to complete
n sketch Of quaint old house had be-
gun some days before. l am interested
in what / am doing, SO that it is late
when put up my sketching materials
and prepare to stroll homewards. 1t il
market day in st. Pourcain, Sd I &C
through the place to get some flowers
and also because the gay scene always
delights me. The women in their quaint
costumes sitting under blue, green ani
red umbrellas, and with fruit and vege
tables In glorious masses of color piled
up before them; the picturesque buildingl
with their queer old carved beams ani
overhanging stories and gables, and tn,
gray old Norman church-which formi
one side of the little square-on til,
steps Of which the women deposit theil
baskets while they go in to tell thei
! beads. The market il almost desertei