The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-09-20


Jonanin told his story He had been
successful at Orthez. He had married,
had children, had shop Of his own. was
prosperous and happy. But after al
these years the desire 70 sec his old home
had seized him, and for the sake Of econ.
omy had come like Bearnaise colpor-
teur. selling needles and thread on his
way.
"Oh, was sure you would succeed,
Jonanin. sighed Noeline.
The cricket In the chimney went on
singing. The woman seemed almost
overpowered by her increasing emotion.
@Then, why" stammered Jonanin,
@will you tell me. Noeline, why you
would not be my wife twenty years ago?'
At first she could not answer: she
pointed 10 the chimney as II half ashamed,
and would have been glad to hide her
head in her apron, as she did when she
was young.
1T was the fault of the cricket she
stammered.
"Of the cricket?"
sYesl was foolish. thought You
would bring me misfortune The cricket
stopped singing when you came to see
me.
He stopped singingl Why2-
Noeline shrugged her shoulders, In
sign that she did not know. They both
stood silent. dreaming, and they dared
not look into each others eyes by the
light Of the smoking resin.
Very soon Laliensec, the farmer. en-
tered.
"Good evening, good evening. he said
after the peasant fashion, saluting ms
many times as there were persons in the
company.
And when he had recognized the former
shopkeeper-
What, Jonaninl you herei What the
devil are you doing here?"
II come to talk over old times. 1t does
one good at our age"
"Ah, yes, tho old times 2" said Larien-
sec. II remember that you were to have
been married, you and Noeline."
Certainly" replied the miller.
And do you know what kept us
apart9 asked the merchant "a cricket :"
BAIL" exclaimed Lariensec. ain fact.
] seem TO remember"
He burst into loud laugh.
"Ah! 1t was too goodl" said he, "too
goodl"
Then seriously.
"Bahl You are happy, IRE you not1
Both happy3 We are all happy here;
so we may confess our little peccad;lloes
OF other daysl Ahl that was one too
good. Do you know, Jonanin, why the
cricket did not sing? We are all friends,
you know, old fellow Well, it was be-
cause ] was watching you, I scratched
In the chimney there, on the side next
our field, when you came to pay your
court. All! other people loved Noeline.
too, and other people were furiously
joalousl"
Then socing that this revelation was
coldly received, and that Noeline looked
at him sadly, he resumed generously;
"That Is not all; como TO tell you
that / accept your price for the corn, 10
francs and sous the sack. Does that
suit you, Noeline?"
And Noeline in low voices
THAT suits me, Lariensec.
Then the farmer bought some spools
OF thread from the merchant from
Orthez for his wife and paid without
bargaining.
"Good evening, good evening"" he
said, going out.
And the two old lovers were left alone.
They did not say much 70 each other.
Jonanin slowly put up his merchandise.
Noeline watched him, unconsciously
turning over tho little silver cross which
she still wore with her bony fingers
For one despairing moment she was per-
haps tempted 10 press her lips to 10.
nanin's hair, once blonde, now turning
gray; but she restrained herself; her
virgin lips were ignorant how to give
such a kiss.
We'll, good night, NoelIne. said the
colporteur, lifting his box to his back.
Good night, Jonanini"
They awkwardly pressed each others
hands and parted.
He took the path through the woods
ON which the moonlight fell: she stand
ing on her threshold watched him go.
while in the chimney the cricket sung in
the sad night, sung with calm clear
untiring voice, as IL he wished TO tell
Noeline of all the happiness she might
have had.-ITho French of Jean RAJ
meau.
Breaking Up the Maps
@1f this thing keeps on, said map
printpr the other day well all ha Va 10