The Middlebury register and Addison County journal. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1883-1885, 1883-11-02
A MANS SACRIFICE.

her round, bare arms on the little wicker
gate in front of cottage, whose white
plastered walls were half concealed by
the vines trained over them.
She wore the picturesque holiday cos
tune of the upper class Of French peas
antry-a short skirt of bright colors, and
black velvet bodice laced with scarlet
cord, while the braids of her dark hair
were fastened with golden pins.
On her neck was suspended a large
cross of jet and gold, below which she
had coquettishly fastened in her bosom a
bunch of half-blown roses.
No one, to behold her thus standing
and gazing eagerly up the poplar-bor
dered road to where wicket opened
from large vineyard, but would have
known that she was watching for her
lover.
She had not long to wait. In few
minutes the wicket opened and a tall and
handsome young man advanced with a
free and graceful step, and a certain air
of dash and gallantry which an aristocrat
might have envied-though he, too, was
clad in peasants costume.
Bon soir, Mile. Marie" he said,
gayly, dofiing his cap. "Truly, you look
this evening as fresh and fair as your
own lovely rosesl'
And truly, NJ. Louis, you are as
skillful as ever in the art of flattery," re-
piled the girl, in the same tone. 4" But
you deserve a rose for that pretty com
pliment and l will put it on with my
own hands"
Louis bent his head and kissed the
lorpttv fir nprc pprhoOc 1,I1rnOonl,r en- nnor
his lips He seemed inclined to bestOw
the same salute upon the cherry mouth;
but Marie, glancing up and meeting his
lover-like gaze, drew back with blush
and smile.
"What made you so late this evening,
Louise And what music is that which
have all day heard in the villagc?n
Did you not know? 1t is a recruit
ing corps, and they have enlisted six of
our best lads. You know there are
rumors of speedy war with the Germans.
"Ah, yes. What great misfortune"
Louis shrugged his shoulders.
&c So the women all say but for the
men, my little one, there is glory and joy
in war"
Marie looked up anxiously into her
lovers face.
" Louis, you do not think of going to
the warsl"
Not until am needed, and then it
will be my duty. But rest in quiet, my
dearest he added taking in his own the
hands that rested on the gate, and look
ing down tcndcrly into her eyes. - So
long as | have my Marie, nothing can
draw me away from this. "
He passed within the gate, and the
two walked slowly up one of the straight
garden alleys, bordercd and shut in by
trellis work. AT the end, on bench
near a plot of wild thyme and row of
beehives, the lovers sat down, Louis
having, in passing, exchanged pleasant
greeting with tall old man, who was
pruning young fruit tree.
This was Marie's father, and the magis-
trate of the neighborhood.
"Do you know, Marie" the young
man commenced; and suddenly stopped
short at sight of the gold and
jet cross which had hitherto been
concealed by the roses on her
breast. He glanced at it, and then
looked into her eyes. Marie" he said,
sternly, "you have not accepted this
The girl looked down at the cross and
answered demurcly;
d" Jean Didier broke my ebony cross.
You heard him offer to replace it by a
handsomer one"
:" saw him, when you dropped it,
step upon it with his great clumsy feet,
and heard him awkwardly apologize.
And you have actually" he added, while
heavy shadow lowered upon his brow
--''you have actually accepted this
thing from him, and are wearing it on
your breast"
Marie laughed at his excitement, and
looked up saucily.
"Jean is good and true" she said
"He has been my friend all my life
much longer than you have, Monsieur
Louis Lebas. And he is rich, you know,
and can afford to give handsome pres
ents. Why should l not accept this
from him?"
"Why2" cried Louis, in burst of
jealous rage; "why, for only this reason,
mademoiselle, because no wife Of mine
snail ever wear jewelry given her by the
hand of another man."
In Maries eyes had hitherto lurked a
Hdll-lduSHlnS, HllSCnlcNOuS lSnl. llau
her lover been less angry he might have
sen that she was enjoying his jealousy,
But his last words aroused in her another
spirit.
"Your wife, monsieur. Upon my
word you begin early to play the role OF
husband. You forget that you have as
yet no right to dictate and tyrannizC
over me-"
AS your betrothed husband | have
the right to object to your bringing your
self into contempt and me into ridicule
I
Stop, Monsieur Louis!n said the girl
drawing herself up with great dignity
"You have said enough. must reminc
you that | am still free to break an i'm
prudent engagement, and to marry whom
i please"
Louis's eyes blazed with jealous fury
He started to his feet.
"Go then" he said, "and marry you