Helena weekly herald. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1867-1900, 1885-08-27

They drew forth a bundle Of hay, spread il
upon the floor. and Fisee threw herself upon
il. Mederic watched at the window.
"Sleep, | will protect you" and as She
closed her eyes, one arm under her head, he
watched over her with the pride of man
who protects.
The afternoon sun Tell upon the roof, the
doves alighted upon the plgeon-house; in the
distance the tic tao Of the threshing machine.
Fisee seemed to sleep. The sunlight fell
upon her closed eyes, a fresh smile played
upon her lips.
Long kneeling beside her Mederic looked
at her in eestacy. lie felt that she was beau
tiiul, more beautiful even than the woman in
the picture, of whom he now thought. and
chastely bending over her as over a cradle
he said, as he closed his eyes:
"Oh, Fisee, your breath is sweet
Mederic had passed twelve years At Saint
I Jean; FiSee eleven at Ia Chandeleur. II was
now necessary to think Of their future life.
Madame Ferard was not ambitious for her
son. She wished him to be an honest man,
/ living conten,edly upon hiS farm. When the
I priest spoke toher Of sending him to the sem
mary of Iaciot she refused to be separated
\ from him She feared that a students life
would lead him into a reckless career, which
would estrange him from her. Her husband
/ had been taken from her. she would guard
| her child
Notwithstanding the insinuaiions Of NJ.
/ Camas, the Able Breulot was neither visionary
or mystical. His teachings were simple and
/ easily comprehended. lie told OF the infancy
| of Christ. and unfolded 10 his hearers n life
Of beauty and purity.
lie spoke Of the vague trouble Of the soul
at the approach Of the one who comes to I'll
| The heart with his power; Of the impulses Of
religion in its grandest dawning. Mederic
and Fisee listened earnestly to his pure teach
ings lie spoke of the vague yearnings OF
the heart, unfolding to the knowledge of re-
ligious Joys; and by the side of this divine
love of which their priest so eloquently told
them, they learned to dimly feel and know
human love.
Thus passed year. They guarded un-
spoken this love, as something too choice and
sacred for speech. Ii was . vagee, sweet
emotion, like the trembling Of young birds
standing on the border OF their nests, their
wings auivering with a delicious fear of the
immenzity Of the unknown world beyond.
CHAPTER V.
The months passed on. A farmer Of
Dernetol came to the abbey upon business
affair. lie saw Fisee, was enamored, and
asked her hand. AS he was 4 young man
who was highly esteemed in the country
Mage gave MS consent.
Upon his knees al his mothers feet Mederic
knel edin his hands, his breast
heaving with sobs, painting under the weight
of great sorrow.
"Oh, mother give me fisee, or viii die.
Visions passed before him which maddened
him. lie heard the music OF the wedding
feast; he saw Fisee in her bridal robes, the
guests crowdng around her; then the car
rage rolls away, carrying from him all that
made life dear. lie remained alone, his
arms extended in the darkness. lie dragged
himself to his room and buried his face IN
the bed.
"Where is he p
On hearing the voice of the priest the poor
child arose. His eyes gliitered, his cheeks
burned feverishly.
The priest drew near and laid his hand
upon his shoulder.
"Niy friend, why DO you weep"
"Oh you will listen to US. You are good
and kind you will marry us You will tell
them that they have not the right 10 treat US
as children and torture Us thus"
The mother burst into tears. The priest
led her away. lie was alarmed at Mederic's
state Of mind lie feared that should Fisee
marry another the poor boy would be driven
TO desperation.
'Would you be opposed to this marriage Z"
Certainly not. She had no false pride.
She would prefer to give fisee to her son
and see him happy than to run the risk OF
driving him 10 a Course Of reckless adventures;
but Mederic could not think OF marriage be-
fore four or five years, and what TO do IN the
meantime?n
The priest reflected for few moments.
ain the first place break off this be,rothal
of Fisee with the farmer. ! am going to see
Mage about the matter. The latter resisted
long time. lie admitted that his daughters
marriage with Mederic was an alliance Of
which he would be proud, but he had given
his promise to the farmer and he held it Al
matter of honor to keep his word. When
assured, however, that Fisee's future happi-
ness hung upon his consent to her union with
Mederic, he at length relented, and the con-
sent was obtained.
The prelimnaries were arranged and
betrothal feast was resolved upon. IL was
also to be a farewell dinner, as Fisee was to
leave on the following day for the Ursulines
Nj. Camas was TIE orator. As the village wit
he was always in his element on these occa-
sions. AT the dessert he arose, and carefully
wiping his mouth with his napkin proposed
the health of the lovers in most fowery terms.
AT length the lovers Withdrew from the table
and talked by the open window.
"You are going away, Fisee, and will be
left alone. | have often asked myself how
could live If were obliged to leave you. !
could think Of no greater grief than to go far
away. But | was mistaken; when lovers
part the one who remains at home is the most
to be pitied."
1t was daylight when the dinner was ended,
but gradually the shadows had heightened,
and as the night was clear they had not
thought Of bringing the lamps. The Able
Breulot dozed in his easy chair; Mage re-
fiected in his corner; NJ. Camas, excited by
the success of his toast, continued to perorate
to Nine. Ferrard, who, with her thoughts
upon her children's happiness, listened alb
stractedly.
IL can not sufficiently express to you,
Madame, with what pleasure assist at this
betrothal feast. You have courageously
braved the prejudices Of caste. From these
unions, the commingling Of the wholesome
STRENGTH of the peasantry with the culture of
the patrician comes the grandeur Of our re-
publics.'
ado you remember" said Fisee, ''that
March day when you arrived with your
mother' | watched you from the window,
and was afraid to 60 near you. If any one
had told me that day would come when you
would be all the world to me.'
Encouraged by the general silence, which
he. al IA, Cou,aS