Waterbury evening Democrat., 1889-02-26


 "Who ,cas that seipneur ,0fth you las'
 night, Bebeef"
 But he was walking with youT"
 "He was in the lane as came home las. night-yes"
 What does he give you for your rosesr'
 "Oh-he pays me we'll. How Is your mother this day, Jeannotr'
 "You do not like to talk of himr'
 "Why should you want to talk of hima-he Is nothing to you"
 "Did you really see him only two days ago Bebeeg
 "Oh, JeannotEdid I ever tell a falsehoodj you would not say that to one of your little sisters"
 The forester swayed the gate to and ire drearily under his folded arms.
 Bebee, not regarding him, cut her flowers, and filled her baskets, and did her other work, and set ladder against the hut and climbed on its low roof to seek for eggs, the hens having green tastes sometimes for the rushes and ichens of its thatch. She found two eggs, which she promised herself to take to Annemie, and looking round as she sat on the edge of the roof, with one foot on the highest rung of the ladder, saw that Jeannot was still at the gate.
 "You will be late in the forest, Jeannot, Y she cried to him. Ut is such long, long way in and out. Why do you look so sulkyi and you are kicking the wicket to pieces"
 II do not like you to talk with strangers, " said Jeannot, sullenly and sadly.
 Bebee laughed as she sat on the edge of the thatch, and looked at the shining gray skies of tho early day, and the dew vet garden, and the green fields beyond, with happy eyes that made the familiar scene transf1gured to her.
 "Oh, Jeannot, what nonsense! As if I do not talk to million strangers every sum- meri as if I could ever sell flower if did notI You are cross this morning-that is what it is"
 Do you know the mans name!'' said Jean not, suddenly.
 Bebee felt her cheeks grow warm as with some monday heat of sunshine. She thought it was with anger against blundering Jean not's curiosity.
 'No! and what would his naIne be to us. If did know itl cannot ask peoples names because they buy my roses"
 "As if it were only rosesl"-
 There was the length of the garden between them, and Bebee did not hear as she sat on the edge of her roof with.that light drcamful enjoyment of air and sky and coolness, and all the beauty of the dawning day, which the
 
 will bring with it to the dullest and the coldest
 You arc cross, Jeannot, that Is whet 1t is" she said after awhile. You should not be cross; you are too big and strong and good Go in and get my bowl of bread and milk for me, and hand it to me up here. It Is so pleas ant. It is as nice as being perched on an apple tree"
 Jeannot went in obediently and handed up her breakfast to her, looking at her with shy, worshiping eyes. But his face was overcast, and he sighed heavily as he took up his hatchet and turned away; for he was tho sole support of his mother and sisters, and If he did not do bis work in Soignies they would starve at home
 'You will be seeing that stranger again g' he asked her.
 "Yes" she answered, with glad triumph in her eyes; not thinking at all of him as she spoke You ought to go, Jeannot now. you are so late. will come and see your mother tomorrow. And do not be cross, you dear big Jeannot. Days are too short to snip them up into little bits by bad temper; it is only stupid sheep shearer that spoils the fleece by snapping at it sharp and hard that is what Father Francis says"
 Bebee having delivered her little piece of wisdom, broke her bread into her milk and ate it, lifting her face to the fresh winds and tossing crumbs to the wheeling swallows, and watching the rose bushes nod and toss below in the breeze, and thinking vaguely how happy thing it was to live.
 Jeannot looked up at her, then went on his slow, sad way through the wet lavender shrubs and tho opening buds of tho lilies You will only think of that stranger, Bebee, never of any of us-never again" he said; and wearily opened tho little gate and went through it, and down tho daybreak stiffness of the lane. It was foolish thing to say; but when were lovers ever wisel
 Bebee did not heed; she did not understand herself or him; she only knew that ahe was happy; when one knows that, ono does not want to seek much further.