Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-30
From All the Year Round.

Wnea Jean Eaptlste, my luncneOn Dasheb over
his shoulder. hove in sight round q jutting crag.
liked Jean Baptiste; l admired his fine, regu-
lar features, his tall military figure, his digni-
fed self-Possession, his innate gentleness and
loved 70 hear his simple stories Of the events
which had fallen within the limited range Of his
experience.
~ Ia bonnie heure. Jean Baptiste," I cried
airing the French which in these Ardennes
wilds making such fine progress. II will
eat nv luncheon where am and then continue
operations; this pool is in perfect condition"
jean Baptiste said nothing; his handsome face
showed scanty assent. "You don't agree with
me- went on. Hasn't piscatory fortune
favored you here?'
1T is very long since fshed here, monsieur
he answered grarely.
And why?' asked, eff one may risk the
question
well, monsieur" he began doubtfuly. Its
an old story
Now, Jean Baptiste great at old stories;
moreover. it was nv privilege as foreigner and
guest to hear many things concerning which he
might have been less communicative to those
who knew him better, 80 I said cosxingly:
IAN old story, Jean Bsptiste; why, that is
all that is necessary to make this spot and my
enjoyment perfect How Old is it?'
lit Is thirty years old" he replied.
nothing"
He smiled grsyely
You are pleased to say so, monsieur; anyhow
we were all thirty years younger then, which is
something; and and my brother Eugene were
considered the two best matches in the village.
Our father. Jean Louvet, was then the land
lord of the inn where We now reign in his stead; ;
he owned. too, the biggest farm in the place,
nos excepting Monsieur Bersier's, the burgo
master. In our house there was plenty of work
and plenty Of room for a couple Of daughters
1n-law. If Eugene and bad cared to go a WOO
iES; but somehow we didn't care, though hints
had been given from several quarters in which
We should be welcome. The burgomaster grum-
bled that our father had given US too much
education and raised above equals,
AMI the girls used to chat and say that
Eugene was so wrapped up in his music and
i was so wrapped up in him that we had no
thoughts for counting. There may have been
a little truth in all this. Certainly Eugene
could play our church organ as no one
else could. and music was his greatest pleas
IRE: that how it he persuaded my
father 20 let him go once-thrty years ago
to Antwerp for the Feast OF the Assumption.
He wanted to hear the fine masses sung in
the great cathedral church. II was settled. too,
that on his way back he should STAY with our
uncle AZ Gembloux and see something of the
lOvlanG harvesting of which We had heard SO
much. All this meant that he would be away
three weeks or a month, and il was in the first
Gays OF his absence that the great event Of my
life came TO pass.
'.Cne eyening-this was how it befeI-in
comes Monsieur Bcrsier full half hour earier
than the time for his usual evening pint; he
had an open letter in his hand and look of
perplexity on his honest face.
jean LOuvet,' ne said to my father, I
want your very good advice.
You're welcome to il, said my father,
handing him his taukard.
- You remember my sister, went on Rer-
sier. who married Darcy, the confectioner, in
Brussels!'
Darcy, the confectioner, had proved himself a
very bad husband
We'll, she dead, poor thing and he
paused.
e Poor thing echoed my mother; and isn't
there little giri.'
=. There was a little yirl Madame Iouvet nv
your leave. but she's a big girl now, and the
question l. what's TO become OF her Marie is
her name. Her mother used 10 write me long
letters about her. She might be married and
settled now. II she had had a dot" but where S
dot" To come from when the father drinks
and wastes his substance!
u don't know what il was reused me to q
klEc Of anger al this-not entirely against the
spendthrift father, either.
1T isn't much of a man who would think
the want OF dot an obstacle 10 marriage
- How do You know said the burgomaster
You. perhaps, can afford TO take girl without
q sou, but eve-y man cannot
Eyery man can work, / began, but the
burSomaster interrupted me.
wen. anyway. there was a Young man her
mother wrote TO me about who was not of your
way OF thinking. and there was kind Of be-
ginning which came to an untimely ending
and n not sorry, for a struggle for life in Br,s-
sells Is not what should wish for the girls
fate Bni now. Louvet, come 10 the part that
requires vCur advice The girl wants to come
TO me She cant live with her father and she's
scarcely old enough to live BY herself and work
for her living. even II she knew how TO earn it.
But II : not So easy. either. for old widower
Ike me TO take charge OF girl of eighteen
He stopped. aud nv father smoked thought
fully. IL was my mother who spoke
Let her come, -he said: maybe / can help
to loOs after her a Bit
will Won? cried Bersier gratefully. Well,
that would make it all right and straight So.
after gcOi deal of talk il was settled that
Marie should come.
Vow. expect You will think that was a
great foo. for man OK twO-and-. hirty if tell
you al that vent through M mind while that
talk Tas going on | had scarcely heard Of
Marie Darcy existence before that evening
Vet Felt as drawn 70 her as il she had some
rish1 and claim 20 me- and further there was a
klnd OF awe IN nv heart. II my life were
about 10 change. and never be so still and peace
ful any more Ii was such a strange feeling
hnlf hope and half fear .hat even il Eugene
II TO him. vet i did not try TO put it away
rather encouraged il and dvelt on il until the
third day after. when. a. I came home with the
last load Of barley. the burgomaster's char. a.
barc passed me, and saw Marie Darcy for the
frs: tine.
Il knew she would be pretty, though no one
had told ME 50. but nAturally | had not pic
tured her as she WAS Her bright chestnut hair
clustered about her forehead in dainty little
clrls. peeping from beneath her heavy Grape
hat; her eyes were large and dark and her face
clear and pale; sAe slcnde-ly built and
graceful and yie sound Of her voice was ali the
sveeier b. contrast with our rough walloon
accent. This | soon had an opportunity Of
hearing fo- when she had rested awhile after
her Journey her uncle brought her 10 see nv
mother, and stood by whNe she told her frs:
Impressions. She already loved our village
she said. having heard 80 much Of IL from her
poor dear mother. She going to be very
contented among IL aud not regrct Brassels
shs glanced al me as she said this, and I. who
never made pretty speeches to girls. said that
u would be oar tsult and cur misfortune II she
cid- Az which she laughed and asked me II
knew Brrssels. 10 xhirh said no.
Al. cried my father, 1T Is my son Eugene
WHO Will Dc tho traveller; when no comes back
You ean talk of brussels with him.
Oh. she said svse,ly Il shall not talk Of
Brussels now: hail give my mind TO learning
al about this new home. which I sm 30 for
tunats 70 ind, and for which am 80 thank