The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1880-12-30
[From Macmillan's Magazine.1
THE STORY OF YVES.
A BRETON LEGEND.
Oct. 2S, ISsO-6n
CHAPTER VII.
A MISTAKE,

It was now September, the grea
heat had departed, sometimes tht
mornings were even chilly, and wher
Eileen came into the shop one morn.
ing she was wrapped in a large, dark.
blue shawl that suited her beauty
though it made it yet more pale. She
had sat silent for about an hour
Yves had at last made up his mind to
ask how he had vexed her, but he still
had to frame his sentences before he
uttered them, and speech was there
fore slow and labored. Mr.. Smith
was away ON business.
Yves looked at Eileen, and her pale
face aroused keen pity which showed
in his eyes. Eileen looked up at that
moment and their eyes met. There
was an anguish of despair in here,
but while his look of pity changed
quickly into alarm the girl burst into
sudden tears, aud then drawing her
shawl over her head hurried away in
to the parlor and closed the door be-
hind her.
For a moment Yves sat stupefed,
and then his tenderness of heart as
serted itself. His kind friend, his
dear Eileen, who had so devoted her.
self to win him from his own sorrow,
was suffering, and he had not even
asked her to tell her grief to him.
Il have been as stupid as pig" he
said; II ought long ago to have found
out what this trouble is-thou hast
grown selfish, my friend Yves
He was full Of penitence, and also
of anxiety to soothe' the poor girls
sorrow. He went to the parlor door
and opened it gently.
Eileen had flung herself on her
knees, and her face was hidden on the
cushion of the sofa. The slender
body was shrouded in the folds of her
shawl, but Yves could see that it
shook with sobs. But he scarcely
stayed to see-he hurried forward and
knelt down beside the sobbing girl.
"What have you-what have you,
Eileen ?''-his voice had such a tender
ring in it-''why do you cry, my dear
friend?"
Eileen only cried the more bitterly
and clasped her hands over her face.
Yves tried to draw them away. He
was so gentle, so very tender with her,
the shawl had fallen aside, and he
stroked her fair hair with one hand
while he tried to loosen her hands
from their hold with the other.
My poor Eileen he said, chow
can yon cry and grieve yourself and
not tell to me what makes you sad?
You must tell me. | am your friend.
[ love you"
He felt a thrill run through her
fingers. She raised her head and gave
him shy, piteous glance, that in
creased his compassion.
What are you saying, Yves?' she
said passionately; you care nothing
for me.
But her heart beat with wild hope
as she waited for his answer.
''I-not care for you!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, Eileen! | love you. | have al
ways loved you
His eyes were full of eager affection.
Perhaps Eileen's tears dimmed her
sight, but it seemed to her that a mist
had cleared away, and with a sob Of
Joy her head sank on Yves's bosom.
is it true-really true?" she whis-
pered then very softly. Il have loved
you too, so dearly, Yves, that |
thought must die.
His arm had fallen almost mechan-
ically round her waist Dear Eileen y
he said. Even then he only half re-
allied what had happened l..
The door leading from the staircase
opened, and there was Mr.. Smith.
Yves started up, and so did Eileen.
She went to her father and put her
hand on his arm but the clockmaker
did not look angry. He stood smil-
ing, looking first at one, then at the
other.
well DONE" he cried heartily; 81
began to wonder when you would
make it all right. You may have her
my boy!' he said encouragingly, fol
he was struck by Yves confused look
of dismay, and he thought it was
caused by bashfulness. Then taking
his daughters hand he put it in th1
young Breton's. Take her." he said
with much feeling, ''she is the only
payment | can think good enough fo
the service you have done me-she i
the bess [ have-she is so good is m.
Eileen"
Yves tried to speak, He looked an