The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1891-04-25


dry" he asked.
.Oh, nothing, nothing" answered
the farmer, who quickly recovered his
calmness.
Rearranging his spectacles, he read
again slowly, spelling each syllable to
make assure nee doubly sure"
There was no mistake; the number
"a, Brigitte's ticket, had won. He
dropped the journal and started off in
great agitation towards his house.
Brigitte had prepared her masters
frugal breakfast ofNnuts and cheese.
He placed himself at the table, but he
could not eat, for his emotion seemed
to clinch his throat and prevent him
from swallowing.
What is the matter, Mpstcr?" anx-
iously asked Brigitte.
Nothing at ALL"
"You are not lip"
mo, tell you, he answered an
grily.
During several days he secretly OBJ
served the poor woman. Did she
know that she had won 100 900 francs?
No indeed! Entirely ignorant that she
was the object Of such close scrutiny,
she performed her daily tasks with her
usual good humor, while her master
was in fever of unrest.
One day he dared to ask her, tremb-
ling while doing so:
'.Is there any news, my good grip"
Nothing, Master, except that one
OF the hens has the pip"
Very good! She knew nothing about
her good fortune. As for announcing
it to her-that was entirely too much
for his nature and long life habit. 1t
seemed to him monstrous that another
should profit by this marvellous wind
fall OF hundred thousand francs, pro-
duced by his piece of twenty sous-his
own bright, silver bit! Time was
heightened from days to weeks. A no.
tice in the journal The really bought
copy OF the one containing the an
nouncement) formally stated that after
delay OF three months the unclaimed
prizes would be employed for new
capital.
The poor man had no more appe-
tite for eating or drinking, or power to
sleep; he was dying Of uneasiness.
Twenty times he was on the point of
speaking OF the ticket to Brigitte; and
twenty times he bit the tip of his
tongue. One word only might put his
servant in the way to learn her good
fortune.
One morning, after an unusually
sleepless night passed in turning and
returning in his bed. he arose with
smile on his thin lips. He had found
askey to the problem. He commenced
by ordering Brigitte to kill the
plumpest chicken and to cook 1t in the
oven with Il good piece OF pork. In
the meanwhile, he brought from the
cellar, where it was hid behin nd the
fagots, bottle of old wine. And
finally he gave his servant money to
buy coffee, sugar and brandy.
Brigitte asked herself If her master
had gone mad?
Surely some demon has taken pos
session of his mind!" she thought with
u thrill of fear.
1t seemed fearful increase of the
malady when the old gentleman, after
having ordered her TO lay the table for
two, asked her to take her place as his
vis-a-vis.
..Oh, Master, should never, never
dare to do that"
"Sit down there, I tell you, you fool
ish woman!"
Brigitte had heard that one must not
zrnaa., tb, ,y;abao ~ ,,,an;aoo
So, without answering, she seated
herself in great embarrassment on the
edge Of the chair.
"Come, eat and drink, Brigitte, my
girl" he said, filling her plate gener-
ously.
However, this was not the last sur
prise for Brigitte. When the coffee
was served the old gentleman suddenly
said:
You see, my good Brigitte this
means that am going to get married"
Indeed master, it is not yet too
late; If you are old, you are still hale
and we'll" answered the simple servant
approvingly.
''Since that is your view, IL you like,
we will marry each other
After the roast chicken and pork, the
coffee and wine, Brigitte expected to
hear almost any strange thing on the
part of her master. But that! Oh, not
that!
You are joking me, master!"
'.Not at all, answered the old peas
ant. He explained that he was grow
ing old, was without children or family,
and did not wish to die alone like a
dog. Besides, he was grateful! He
could not forget that Brigitte had saved
his life--his faithful Brigitte. One must
not be forgetful Of such service.
Finally, the worthy woman, whose
head was turned by this stroke Of good
fortune, believed in his sincerity. She,
a humble servant, marry her masterp
Think of It! II was, indeed, some
thing to turn ones brain.
The bans were published, and the
marriage followed. The couple were
greeted at the church by the good
natured smiles OF the whole village.
After the ceremony the new husband
hurriedly conducted his wife home.
Having crossed the threshold. he
hastily demanded In O joyful voice,
a l. a..