Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1880-09-30

/ And as for no war, who knows They
/ say that we must get back Alsace and
/ Lorrainei "
Yes; for very certain we must and
will" says the old captain, who has
strolled in and Joined our group "Those
1 pestilent Prussans Let them only come
again, and this time they shall not 20
/ back; we will rake each of them a pres
eat Of six feet Of French soil,n concludes
/ the old soldier grimly, fiercely twirling
his moustache
"Ah!" signs Madame, rising and fold.
! ing her work, France may get back
Alsace and Lorraine, but who shall give
US back our children?"
Marthe's sitting is now over, and she
runs to me at once. | have made quite
pet of the little thing. l am getting an
old woman, and | like bright young
things about me and the child has pretty
caressing ways about her, which, Joined
to her fresh beauty, make her very win
ming.
"Will not Madame look ?" she cries
drawing me toward the easel. rs it not,
wonderful how Monsieur has made it
like? Sec my coral necklace. All. if
| only had a silver chain and locket like
Madame's, how beautiful it would look
III the plcture!'
| laugh, and look at Stirling. 1.-The
coral necklace makes good point of
color, and is much prettier than my silver
chain" | say in English; "but all young
girls like fashion," and make up my
mind that before leave st. Pourcain my
silver chain snail change hands.
When will you have tinished?" | go
on, as Marthe leaves us in obedience to a
call from Madame Petit.
1.-TWO more sittings will be enough |
think" is the answer.
81 am glad of it," say heartily, for |
do not think Oscar likes them He is in.
clned to be jealous of you"
Without cause then, | am sure" says
Stirling. She is lovely little thing to
paint; but should be sorry to trouble
her lovers peace of mind by even flirta-
ton. Beside" he continues, with the
frank look in his handsome eyes which
first won my liking, Il should be loath to
DO discredit to your recommendation.
You have been sponsor for my good col-
duct, you know | shall leave here the
day after tomorrow. | am in a hurry
to get home and to work hard"
| am sorry to lose him, and say go. We
have been on several sketchng eXpedi.
tons together, and | have found him
most pleasant and helpful companion.
But still, with that look in Oscar eyes
fresh in my memory, am glad.
The next day, after the sitting is over,
he goes off to the neghboring town for
the rest of the day; and |, feeling "otf
guard" as it were," sally forth to com
pete sketch Of aquaint old house had
begun some days before. | am interested
w I u n, 1nincr Gu tho II is late w hon
[ put up my sketching materials and pre-
pare to stroll homeward. 1t is market
day in St Pourcain, so go through the
place to get some flowers, and also be
cause the gay scene always delights me.
The women in their quaiut costumes sit
ting under blue, green and red umbrellas,
and with fruit and vegetables in glorious
masses Of color piled up before them;
theipicturesque buildings with their que
old carved beams and overh, n ging stories
and gables, aud the gray old Norman
churCh--whiCh forms one side of the lit
tie square-On the steps of which the
women deposit their baskets while they
90 in to sell their beads. The market is
almost deserted when | get there; the
buyers have nearly all gon5 home, and
the sellers are beginning to put up their
remaining wares before leaving. How.
ever, | am able to procure my flowers,
and am waiting tor some change, when,
looking over tow,rd the church, | see
group which interests me. Marthe is
standing on the steps beside Stirling; she
is holding something in her hand which
he has just given her, and is looking up
at him with such genuine delight written
on her face that can read it even at this
distance. Then she says something to
him, at the same time putting her hand
into his. He raises it laughingly to his
lips, and in another moment she has
turned away and is Fastening in the di-
rection of the T'r0ts Etoiies, But there
has been another spectator to the scene
beside myself; for to my CONSERVATION |
see Oscar emerge from the shadow of the
church and follow her quickly.
"Neyer mind the change" | cry TO the
market-woman; "you can give II to me
to morrow" for something tells me that
there will be "scene," and that it will
be as we'll for me to be at hand But
when arrive at the I'rOiS Et0ills | find
that | am day after the fair-Oscar ana
Marthe are alteady having 1t OUT under
the lime tree.
have no preteXt for lnterrupting them,
so 90 MP to my own room. My window
/ stands open, and can both see and near
! them, for every word reaches me distinct
/ ly through the still evening air. Round
! Marines neck is a silver chain and locket
| handsomer than mine; add Oscar is point
| ing to them angrily. i will not have
| lido you hear, little traitress?' he cries