The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-06-15

with the blond hair? Sometimes, when her
old maids soul was sadder than usual. Noel
inc prayed for him. but little by little the
beating of her heart grew cod and monot-
Onous.
One night Noeline, who was AZ years old,
was waiting for Lariensec, the former rival
of Jonanin. He was coming to discuss the
price of the maize he wished to sell her.
The miller had offered II francs, 5 sous a
sack. The farmer asked 10 sous more. 1t
was nearly o'clock. The shadows were
warm: the moon threw its white light on
the winding path through the alders, Noe
line, standing on the threshold of the mill,
saw some one coming.
"It is not Lariensec," she thought, che
would not come by that path"
he walked slowly, seemed tired, and looked
at the stream and the trees and the mill as
a stranger might.
Good evening" he said, stopping.
Would you like to see Notre Dame de
HE is Bearnaise or Bigourdan COL
pourteur," thought Noeline. lone of those
merchants from Pau or Bagnieres, who.
under the pretext of showing an image of
the Virgin at the bottom of their box. sell
ohaplets and medals, thread and needles to
the country people,"
my good friend, it is rather dark to see
your virgin"
But as the merchant had gentle voice,
and as the intercession of the Virgin might
induce Lariensec to sell his corn at u francs
five sous the sack, Noeline said: "Come in,
l will look at the Holy Virgin by the resin
light
And the merchant entered. When Noel
inc could see him she felt the blood rush to
her thin checks, and when the colporteur
had seen her face he seemed equally aston
ished. And in plaintiye voice he asked:
$50 you still live here, oeline!
"Ah! good Godr' said the miller, feeling
her heart beat rs it had not done for years,
sis it possible that it is you, Jonanin!"
And for a moment they We're SILENT
The water of the brook fell in noisy drops
on the iron wheel. just as it did long ago,
when Jonanin came to see her. And sud-
denly behind the warm hearthstone they
heard the shrill chirp of cricket. Noeline
felt in her eyes warm moisture like a
gathering tear.
Jonanin told HIS story. He had been
children, had a shop of his own, was pros
porous and happy. But after all these
years the desire to see his old home had
seized him, and for the sake of economy,
had come like n Bearnalise colporteur sell
ing needles and thread on his way.
4 "Oh. was sure you would succeed, DO
nanin," sighed Noeiine.
The cricket in the chimney went on sing
ing. The woman seemed almost overpow-
cred by her increasing emotion.
men WHY. StdiuucIcO oOuuIAl, Will
you tell me, Noeline. why you would not be
my wife 20 years ago?'
4 At first she could not answer: she pointed
to the chimney as if half ashamed, and
would have been glad to hide her head il
, her apron, as she did when she was young
"It was the fault of the cricket she
stammered.
''Of the cricket"
, Eyes. was foolish. thought you wouli
, bring me misfortune. The cricket stoppet
singing when you came to see me-"
He stopped singing? Why?"
Noeline shrugged her shoulders in sigl
? that she did not know. They both stoo.
J silent, dreaming, and they dared not lool
3 into each others eyes by the light of tn
smoking resin.
: Very soon Lariensec the farmer entered.
b Good evening. good evening" he said
] after the peasant fashion. saluting as man
], times as there were persons IN the company
. And when he had recognized the forme
4 shopkeeper-"What, JonRnin! you here
:. What the devil are you doing here?"
s 81 come to talk over old times. It doe
y one good at our age"
o "Ah, yes, the old times?' said Larienset
81 remember that you were to have bee
d married. you and Noeline."
70 ..Certainly!' replied the miller.
: "And do you know what kept us apart?
n asked the merchant. "A cricket"
1t s.Bah!' exclaimed Lariensec, I'm fact,
O. seem to remember--"
+ He burst into loud laugh.
"Ah! It Was too coodm said he, to
ae Then seriously.
O. bah! you are happy. are you not? Bot
u happyS We are al happy hare; % We ma