The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 18??-1882, 1882-03-17

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seat; then came Father Matthieu vi
the hill, half a dozen children of th'
habitans, with their wax.like features
and glittering black eyes, tugging a
his gown. At the foot of the hill roll
cd the silent, fathomless tide of tn,
Saguenay-that mystery of the North
black as line drawn by Death through
the live beauty and comfort of tn,
hills and village. Just then the notes Of
a French horn filed the air with q
melancholy sObbing. Louis gave 6
quick nod of satisfaction. This was
his father; he always knew that the
old man was happy as long as he was
filling the world write his melOdiOus
piping. Some young fellows, his com.
rades, on the pier caught sight OF
Noel.
Hill hill Louisp they called.
He shouted back, waving his hat to
Pere Matthieu, who laughed and nod
ded. Two Sisters of Mercy, pacing
decOrOusly in their black robes to the
church, glanced furtively up and smiled
to each other. The whole village knew
and liked the merry fellow and the old
father of whom he was 80 fond.
The gate clicked, Wall, tired of
waiting on him, had gone angrily
away.
Thanks to GOdr chuckled Noel.
He hurried towards Hester. then stop
ped short in spasm of shame. Who
was heP To 60 to her to ask her to
give herself to himp The first man in
the world was not fit to touch her!
Look at her sitting there, the sun shin
ing full on her! Her hands went with
their work, in and out, in and out.
The mOnotOny of motion maddened
him. For two years he had followed
her faithful as dog. 1t had been al
most enough to see her, to hear her
speak now and then. If he told her
now that he loved her he would risk
all this: she would drive him away.
Never to see Hester againp Neverp
If she married Wallp For moment
he could not get his breath-the
world gaped empty about him.
Then his blood swelled with sudden
triumph, Why, he was not a child; he
was man, and that was the dear
woman that he lOvedl He went to
her, leaping over a fallen tree, and
threw himself breathless on the grass.
H ester, amused, locked down at his
sensitive face and burning eyes.
Il heard you singing. Monsieur
Noel she said after a while.
Obi Did you like my voice ? eager
ly. My father does. 1 don't know.
He is great musician. Perhaps
would you like me to sing to you
n0wT
No. Hester smiled. 'YOu-yOu can
talk to me instead, she added shyly.
Noel did not answer. He rose slow
ly, and leaning against tree looked
steadily down into her face. She saw
how he trembled though she did not
raise her eyes. The very wind was
still. A cricket chirping in the stub
BILE counted off the long minutes; far
away swelled and sank the low chant
ing in the church. Hester's fingers
still went in and out Of that wearisOme
net, but they shook now; she could not
see her work. 1t seemed to her as If
all had been already said between
them.
Hester he broke out at last, you
must have known it this long time.
1 suppose it seems mad folly to you.
/ know! I'm only Louis Noel. I'm
headlong, good-for-nothing fellow.
But He caught her hand and strok-
ed it passionately in his cold fingers
Hester glanced up at the pension
windows. She did not forget to be
decorOus.
Mol Don't speak YETI he cried.
Don't send me away yeti know the
Americans think me 6ighty-a vau-
rien. But 1 can work! 1 can make
you such happy home here in Tad
Ousac. Oh, know all your whims and
fanciesl I'm a weak little fellow, but 1
love you so that l could keep trouble
away from you as If were god
Hester looked at him thoughtfully.
She had known for a year that each of
these two men would ask her to be his
wife, and she knew precisely what au-
swer she would give them, but she was
not going to be hurried out of her
orderly course.
Louis drew back. You will not
take my lover
His sudden pallor, his relaxed fea-
lures annoyed her. What was the use
after all of such wearisome tragic emo
tiOnsp
Il will see yon again, she said coldly;
we are not alone now. Mr.. WALL
Wall stood within the gate. Noel
turned and Joined him without word.
As the men went out together branch
of woodbine struck against one of their
faces. Miss Page when she was alone
broke it of and shyly put it to her lips
with bright blush.
Bring the reports and money have,
said Wall when they reached the
house.
The money stammersd Noel; 1T il
in sealed package. Is 1t necessary to
count itT
Noel's suppressed excitement as he
left Hester had startled wall. He eyed
his dazed face now with sudden sus.
picion.
Bring me the money he said sharp
ly.
Louis ran up to his chamber. There
were steps overhead, then pause. Ter
minutes, half an hour passed. Then
the door opened and he stood in it. He
looked shrunken and years older thar
when he went out.
The money is gone, Wall he said.
The money! Gone? What do yOr