Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1883-12-20
The Stnrp Trller.
A MANS SACRIFICE.

A pretty, dark-eyed girl stood resting hel
round, bare arms on the little Wlcker-gatt
in front of cottage, whose white plastereo
walls were half concealed by the vines
trained over them.
She wore the picturesque holiday cos
tune of the upper class of French peasant
ry-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 large cross
of Jet and gold, below which she had CO.
uuetishly fastened in her bosom bunch OF
half-blOwn roses.
No one, to behold her thus standing and
gazing eagerly at the poplar road
to where wicket opened from large vine
yard, but would have known that she was
watching for her lover.
She had not long to wait. In few min
utes the wicket opened and tall and hand,
some 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 peas
ants costume.
''Bon soir, Mile. Marie" he said, gayly
doffing his cap. ''Truly, you look this
eveing as fresh and fair as your own lovely
roses ~
"And truly, NJ. Louis, you are as skillful
as ever in the art of fattery," replied the
girl, in the same tone. "But you deserve
a rose for that pretty compliment, and
will put it on with my own hands"
Louis bent his head and kissed the pret-
ty fingers perhaps purposely so near MS
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 a blush and q
smile.
"What made you so late this evening
Louis: And what music is that which ]
have all day heard in the village:"
''Did you not know? 1t is recruiting
corps, and they have enlisted six of our best
lads. You know there are rumors fspeedy
war with the Germans.
"Ah, yes! what great misfortune"
Louis shrugged his shoulders.
$50 the women all say; but for the men,
my little one, there is glory and joy in
war;"
Marie looked up anxiously in her lovers
face.
"Louis, you do not think of going to the
wars:"
'Not until am needed and then it will
be my duty. But rest in quiet, my dear.
est," he added, taking in his own the hands
that rested on the gate, and looking down
tenderly into her eyes. $50 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, bordered and shut by the trellis work:
At the end, on bench, near plot OF WIG
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.
'sDo 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 present from
Jean Didier?"
The girl looked down at the cross and
answered demurely:
"Jean Didier broke my ebony cross. You
heard him offer to replace itby a handsomer
one"
81 saw him when he dropped it, step up.
on it with his great clumsy feet, and heard
him awkwardly apologize. And you have
actually" he added, while a heavy shadow
lowered upon his brOW-"yOu have actually
accepted this thing from him and are wear
ing it on your breast"
Marie laughed at his excitement and look
ed up saucily.
"Jean is good and true" she said. "He
has been my friend all my life-much long
er than you have, Monster Louis Lebas
and he is rich, you know and can afford to
give handsome presents. Why should no,
accept this from him."
"Why? ?" cried Louis in burst ofjealous
rage "why, for only this reason made
moiselle, because no wife of mine shall ever
wear jewelry given her by the hand of an
other man."
In Marie's eyes had hitherto lurked 8
half-laughing, mischievous light. Had hel
lover been less angry he might have seer
that she was enjoying his jealousy. But hi:
last words aroused in her another spirit
"Your wife, monsieur! Upon my wore
YOU begin early to play the role of husband
dictate and tyrannize over me-"
GAS your betrothed husband have the
right to object to your bringing yourself in
to contempt and me into ridicule. l.
'Stop, Monsieur Louis!" said the girl
drawing herself up with great dignity
"You have said enough. l must reminc
YOU that am still free to break an impru
dent engagement, and to marry whom
please"
Louis eyes blazed with jealous fury. He
started to his feet
$50 then, he said, ''and marry your ricf
lover. | am but fool ever to have trusted
to a fair face and false tongue. Adieu, ant
joy be with you and the handsome love
YOU have chosen"
He strobe up the garden walk, dashet
open the little wicket and disappeared.
Marie sat for an instant perfectly still, al
most frightened at the violence she had wit
messed.
1t was not the first time that she had seer
Louis jealous and angry, for in her thought
less coquetry she had often teased her pas
sionate lover, confident in her power o
"making up" afterward.
But this time she felt that she had gon
too far, and she leaned her head and arm
on the back of the garden bench and crie'
bitterly. Why had she not told him tina
she had refused jeans offer Of replacing tn
broken cross, and that this one of jet-and
gold had been given her by her father?
''No matter. He will come back to-mor
row." she thought, as at last she raised he
head and wiped away her tears. "He viii
come back and ask forgiveness ; and then
when l have punished him a little for hi
rude speech and unreasonable behavior
we'll make up. AS if would exchange m
own Louis for the richest man on earth ~
Tomorrow came, hut LOuiSdid not max