Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-06-03

 l i~f S'Ns own wax-dol face. and the dress for -ss.s- S&RS her next dance. .and 7- the now kir,lo for the village feast Is not by any means the best wife for hard. working man like Pierre Leroux."
 You arc very harsh on tho young thing, Rose Michel She is SO fair and sweet, and so dainty in all her ways, the only wonder is 1 she is not a thousand times moro vain with all tho flattery she has received since ever she could run through the village alone." She's come ofa bad stock. and will bring no luck to any honest mans house," muttered a brown.faced Norman peasant-woman who stood gossiping in the market-placc with her neighbors this fair summer morning. "Ay. ny. true enough" exclaimed a fresh- looking country-woman. joining in the con- versation with alacrty. II remember her mother: the girl is just like her. She was beautiful If you like-handsomer far than even Ninette will be. They came of n good family, and were very proud. The girl had 8 craze for the staSe--she ran away to Paris"
 "Yes. yes, we know all that" chimod in the market-woman.
 "Ah. wOll she came back, you remember so changed; all her beauty faded, all her gay bright ways gone. And then tho child wns born. l nursed her. Dear heart, how she wept over the babe! It was so like it's father, she said. And tho pretty tales she told it, Of how he would come to see 1t, and what 1t must do, and how it must look she was such a child herself; and then time went on and he never came, and she pined and faded, and grow pale and 30 thin one would not have known her for tho same.'
 And he?" asked the Sossips.
 "He of course. mover came. She died with his name on her lips. A life thrown away for mans sakel An, well. it is common enough"
 'Do you believe she was married2"
 "I saw her wedding-ring Sho always said he married her; but in that great vile city it would be SO easy to deceive, and thon-he never came."
 'He has never been near the child, cthnr?"
 ''No; and the grandm other Is so old now. and the girl so fair. An it isa good thing for all that she will marry so soon, and have one so loving and steady as Pierre Lcroux to look after her.
 ''It is to be hoped Pierre Leroux won't find itmore than he can manage to do that" said the sour-vIsaged Rose Michel.
 'True." echoed the others "she is so gay and flighty. pity one so well-to-do as P1erredid not choose steady. well ordered maiden to keep his house and study his well fare. Ninetto will want everything and give nothing"
 "You have all daughters moro suitable for Pierre Leroux than the girl he has chosen, is Nnot SOP" laughed the cheerful-facad country woman who had spoken before. "A pity that he could not see 1t as plainly as you p and laughing and nodding to the knot of market-women, she passed on, with hor basket poised on her head.
 Hush hero comes Ninette herself"
 The gossiping tongues ceased. score of curious eyes turned toward the street, up which gir, was coming-a girl with fnco fair and fresh as q spring blossom, and a figure whose swelling curves and delicate outlines were shown to perfect advantage by the pretty Norman costume. She came gaily up to the group, nodding to one, laugh ing to another, chatting to all in her free, giHlish. graceful fashion. Some answered her cheerfully, others seemed constrained and i'll at ease.
 "Iou will wish me joy for tomorrow, will you notP" she said. as she turned away at laat. "Tomorrow I shall be Ninette Le. roux."
 ''No good comes of using your new name before It's your own," said the surly voice of Rose Michel The girl laughed brightly
 "You were always one to croak, Rose," she said. "At all events there's no foar of you ever committing that mistako" Tho old maid looked sourly at the winsomo face.
 "A day may come when you will wish your self In my place." she cried, with a spiteful bitterness in her raised and cronktns voice. "1t Is not married life that brings the great est joy. though the young and foolish always think it."
 "Well. at all events. mean to try" said the girl gayly. Perhaps you wouldn't mind being in my place for once, Rose Michel, and doing the same;" and without waiting for further words sho turned and went on her way up the sunny village street.
 6he did not hear the muttersd curse thnt followed her. She did not see the vengeful expression on the wrinkled face,and trembling lips; but Ninetto iu all her fair and happy life. had never made a foe 90 force, an enemy so vindictive. as Rose Michel was now.
 
 Pierre Leroux was well-to-do miller-a man young and handsome, and accounted great match in this quaint little Norman town. His mill lay some way out. set amidst 0elds and orchards. and with an arm of the river winding through to turn the great wheel. whose sound was so sweet to Ninette's ear e 1t chSened tho foam bells at her feet and dashed the cool shower of water over her sweet flushed face.
 She stood there now in the hot summer noon. herlover by her side. her eyes down. cast her little hands clasped round his arm, her fragile girlisb .Jveliness looking oubly fragile and "h.s,fish in contrast to the stal- wart frnms and sunburt face of the younR 0lller.