Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-01-15
PIERRE AUBERT.
George Eliot

W hdI HlppN iob II WDulNl DE 10 stay Aert
foreverr'
Normandy, between Honneur and Trou
vile. Behind the pretty village the rich.
ly wooded land slopes in gentle undula
tons TO the mouth of the Seine, which hers
widens out and spreads in all its grandeur
to the far of horizon. At your feet are YER
dant meadows where great oxen Craze,
raising their heads now and then, and
standing motionless MS il listening TO the
voice of the pillows.
On the right is the river, narrowing rs II
runs toward the p-omontory of Luille-
beuf. and seeming {, Gear in its drifting
haze the memory OF Paris, where it has
seen so muchl Opposite is Havre, with its
rpasts, its lighthouses and its smoke; above
Havre is the lovely hill OF Ingonville, be-
decked with white houses half buried in
foliage On the left is the roadstead, then
the sea.
About ten years ago had the pleasure
or spending month at Villeryille where
for the time being We genuine rp.tic
and fisherman. My room had lime washed
walls, great black jolsts in the ceiling. the
most primitive furniture imaginable, and
few engravings illuminated in indigo
and vermilion.
From my window there was a beautiful
view of the bay, and besides that I saw
daily ut low tide three or four hundred
fisher women merrily hunting for mussels
while their husbands and brothers were
of cruising In small fishing smacks. The
latter returned home on Saturday even
ings, and the arrival Of the peaceful fleet
made scene full OF motion, color and
gayety
My hostess, Cesarine Aubert, took no
part in these joyous gatherings. She was
tall, lank woman, 40 years OF age. harsh
tongued and sour tempered, ever ready for
dispute, greedy for gain and watchf1l of
her own interests-a perfect virago ASH,
however, paid well and in advance was a
hero, god, to Cesarine. For me she
modulated her sharp voice, and always
came 10 meet me smiling grimly
Strange 10 say, she had two charming
children, boy OF 10. and girl almost a
year younger. They were Of the usual
Normandy type, fair skinned and light
haired, and had large blue eyes with an
expression Of angelic tenderness, not in the
least like their mothers. was curious TO
see what sort of man their father was, and
on the Saturday after my arrival | sat bv
the great chimney with Cesarine awaiting
his return. The children had been watch
ing for him eagerly, and toward dusk they
rushed In, exclaiming breathlessly:
Here he comes. mother; we saw his boat
from the cliff May we 90 and meet bim,n
What is the use'" replied the wunsn
sullenly. "Pierre's old enough to find his
way here without your assistance. and he
sides, ! want you 10 20 into the garden
both Of YOU, and gather some salad for
supper Do you hear mes"
AT the sound OF the last words the chill
dren He'd like frightened birds and a few
minutes later Pierre ALBERT came into the
mouse. lie was about S5 years old, short
and thick set, with light brown hair cut
square over the forehead. but bsn01ny a.
two long curls upon his shoulders. and
among the locks could be seen two tinv
gold earrings, shaped like anchors His
smile was thoughtful, his manner grave
even mourntul, but the frank expression
IN his blue eyes was very winning
Cesarine rose as he entered, but without
word or smile Of greeting took down a
late that hung on the wall, and with the
'encil In her hand asked abruptly:
How much"
me man drew great leather purse FINN
he pocket OF his pea jacket, reportad the
esult of each days fishing, and laid down
ne amount received for his share of m.
weeks work. While he was spesking
.esarine put down line Of figures on tb.
tate, added them up and carefully counted
he money. Then she nut the Who'll
mount into drawer, locked IL and
'ocketed the key, while the fisherman no.
urned his empty purse to his pocket an
'arently without regret.
"A good husband" thought and tho
ext minute the two children ran into the
Dom ana threw their arms around his
eek ms
And good father | added mentallv.
ut what was my astonishment TO hear
ne OF the children saying:
so glad 10 see you, Uncle Pierrelo
he sat down, took the boy and girl upop
- AnceN ana caressed them with such evil
eut aHectlon that | was touched. Could
uo P',siDIe that he was only uncle TO
nep ~ N'7e-
Gradually the bright flash of loving de-
ght which the little ones, 1yelcor,a ~
hled To us eyes faded away, and the
'rmer look OF hopeless sadness returned !
Ie bade the children 20 and play upon the
each, and then he took n spade fror,
'rner OF the room and went ont savino
lat ne was going to work "a little Twas
much interested in him that followed
'h HO snort distance, and saw that he
cut 10 the end OF the village street. and
eEau uiSHng III small inclosure where
'u'e Vegetables were growing Suddenlv =
oMeNer' ne stood erect, and with his hands
's.ihE upon the spade handle Razed in |
'utly AT cottage near by. One of ,ha Z
lnuoWs was almost covered with tho
'aSes ana blossoms Of n climbing rose
NJ upon the white curtain there annear.a
20 eu''uo" OF Il woman's form. Motions
1s as statue, Pierre stood with hia 90. o
Neu upon that window until dark1ass 4
oseu aro2n ~ and the stars came out. and
Heu' Witifov.-sr iwn sigh that seemed | ?
, como from "a broken heart, he snouIasred 6
Is ;, space and went home. q
l nc next evening as passed the church
. ~ peoPle We're coming out, and l saw l
- N III 'ie doorway with his nieco and y
. Sp pL young woman on her wav ont a
:. I"i iCn was Just behind him, and with
~ ~ IooAlhS mp he dipped his finger in the F
80, "asln and then extended hfs s.
and to her. She was sweet fann-i ms nus
re- with a pale, delicate skin. oIthn',aL I.
my peasant, soft, dark ewes droonio.. Ii
~, ue5''y' an angelic smile upon her liz n
W. tUeuSh she was at least 30 vearu "A h
Ie siam p oil virgin purity was unon hnr {
~. 80 As her fingers touched tboso 80
''einor passed over her. n mo s.
tne zen Hash Of Joy lighted his face ana ana n
Iord exchanging
No., wi, ~ sur that It was her shadow had II
- 'i' nisH' bc!Orc on the white cur+o{n | n
ehihd the roses, aud that evening 1uLnn
n ie t c was rising, [ strolled our ~ sa 8
ne fishermen embark. Pierre yvo,SoI peg n
'.'e N front Of me, and when he $50
ne COTTAGE at the end Of tho street $3.50 srse i
, PI s,, rose futtcreI from the ,rinSa,r n
nd fell at his feet ''' WINDOW =
Icket "4H IL inside his =
W " men reached the shore the boats h.s o
t - lIlC their moorings, Pierre had - II
% place but hi, eyes were fixaa n I
nat llttlo cottage, and from the ro.a apon t
o owe window white kercbief fem en- e
nun T,!,t the fleet was ont Of sight. N0a'ed $
evidently there WAS n faI. Co..
,i.h These two young people, and ,usem
uir to hear it, / knew thai T an b
aTn., 40 so by Questioning tho viIia eould il
Mn pteIl,iy the women folk, but preferrsd :,
ut and ask Pierre himself. - e'errod TO | v