New-York tribune., 1890-08-31

watched the girl curiously. her good-natured face
broadening into smile. My poor child, she
exclaimed and the next moment Jeanne's head
rested on her sympathetic bosom, and Jeanne S
secret was cOnfidcd TO her.
How long the rays of the sun that stretched
across the fields of sngar-cane to touch the black
trunks of the cypress, to seek for every crevice
in the laced boughs of waxen green whereby to
gain entrance TO the forest! The gentle wind
had come far from the gulf. but its breath
was still sweet and fresh with the odor Of
cool. briny water. A COW and its calf that had
wandered into the road away from herdcrs and
herd stopped TO gaze stupidity at the tall rose
bushes that formed a hedge between the garden
of the d'Naudrys and the outside world. In the
and balanced themselves on the dari-grcen
branches laden With golden fruit the red top
knot of O woodpccker glowed against the black
trunk of date palm as he tapped on the bark.
10. Armand cannot tell him" said Jeanne,
as she leaned against gnarled oranQe-trcc partly
for support, partly because the lines of her figure,
all in white, showed well against the blacksh
green background. And il I did, what then
Father would not consent
=" II you loved me, Jeanne, you would not seek
reasons not TO marry me- demonstrated Armand.
She looked at him wistfully; then, drawing q
long sigh. her eyes closed, her arms fell help
lessly. You must arrange it all, she murmured.
He sprang forward to embrace her. but she
shrank aside NO. no." she breathed Il cannot
let 'I you touch me: Armand, Armand, why did
you not speak before ?"
Because / am poor: because you gave me no
encOuragemcnt. ne cricU OltlerIy. MY GOQ
he continued, "you treated me that badly that
mother had almost to. o.swcar to it 5eforc Iwould
believe that YOU loved me; and after all. do
YOU love me z?
You know do faltered Jeanne; "but I'm
afraid
Afraid"
Afraid Of Alcide; he will" she stopped
abruptly. Alcidc was coming from the house
rather. he dancing down the path-slender,
handsome. light of foot, like young god re-
joicing. he came toward them
1t was al this moment | spoke of YOU mon
sieur," said Armand coldly. Jeanne, the finger
tips of one hand pressed TO her lips, her head
bent drew closer to her tree.
Monsieur exclaimed Acide laughing heartily.
why, Armand. mt boy. what is it?' And he
laid his hand affect fbnatey on Arnands neck.
90 Armand, Armand - cried Jeanne. Armand
had struck down the friendly hand
AlGide's face vas white 70 his very lips his
not quarrel in the presence of women" he said.
Jeanne did not understand hin. She seized
Armand's hand and implored him not to come to
blows about her. Alcide, with great respect, but
with all Of n lovers insstance, commanded her to
60 to the house If you love me, go, Jeanne, ="
ne said
But do not love you." sobbed Jeanne.
The only sound was the preet, preet of the jays
among the orange-boughs. the suppressed sobs or
Jeanne.
DO YOU love that man ," Alcidc asked. at last
Jeanne hesitated. You must answer me, Al
eide insisted
Still she hesita,ed and it was only the fear of
what Armand might say tllat IN the cnd made her
bend her lead in assent
Often aiterward, Jeanne said TO Armand she
could still hear the RrOan of despair Alcidc
uttered. II fornd echo even IN tie heart OF
Armand. for he said "Alcide. my friend, pardon
my rudenesS T. YOU. II is this. Alcide Jeanne
and | have loved one another for a long, long
while and dared not speak you know my friend.
how poor We are az Mi2nonette plantation.
Jeanne wcpt anew Alcidc felt as if every drop
OF his blood rushing to his head.
How unhappy / have made You. But you
have deceived Tie, Jeanne" he groanc1.
." will 5e your wife, if YOU insist, She sobhed.
No. Jeanne not that, lie said quietly. Now,
Jeanne leave Armand and me we wish 10 talk
no, no, there is 10 quarrtl-wo are friends Ar
mand will 20 10 the house presently.
Her eyes asked Armand for counsel, and his
told her TO do as Acidc said.
Jeanne looked earnestly al Aicide: her checks
flushed and she said You are good. Alcldc-how
good - He smiled, somewhat OF bitterness IN Jns
smile Her face now famed and she hurried
away. but when she reached the garden gate her
hand on the latch. she turned 10 look at the TWO
men. They were deep in conversation. ana pres,
emily she heard Alcidc laugh. and then Armand
crasped his hand warmly. Which was strange,
Armand not being Of a dcmonstrative nature:
Wonder was expressed when Armand lF-
majre paid off the mortgages on Mlg-
nonette plantation. No ono connccfed Aiclde
Beriot's trip TO Ncw-Orleans with Armand 3
being supplied with ready money. When
il was known that Armand, and not a eide. was 70
marry Jeanne d dNaudry, then people not only
wondered, but talked without exhaustion