Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1892-10-20
A CONFESSION OF LOVE.

The angelus-bell was ringing from
the picturesque little church of St
Senior. village just below the town
of Avranches, in Normandy.
AS it rang, Marie Lesage finished
milking the last cow in the farmyard
close by the church; she rose at the
sound, and put her milking-stOol I'M
der her arm, while Jean Tissot. who
was standing by her side, mechani-
callY dotted his cap, and there was
silence for a minute between them.
The previous conversation had ap-
parently been very animated, for
Marie's cheeks were flushed, and her
bright eyes sparkled like diamonds
under her dark brOws, while Jean
looked on the verge of despair as he
gazed disUractedly on Marie's pretty
profile and charming little figure, in
it's neat gray dress and white apron.
Marie was the farmers daughter
and did not wear the ugly loose,
black jackets and unbecoming, round,
fat caps, redeemed from ugliness by
their streamers of the Avranches
peasant.
No, Marie was coquette, and wore
short petticoats because she had small
feet; a tight bodice, because she had
a charming figure; red rose in her
black hair, because it contrasted well
with her raven plaits; and white
muslin f1chu over her gray dress, be-
cause il showed to advantage her
clear, olive skin.
The angelus-bell ceased, and Jean
resumed his conversation.
''Marie, l meant it. If you won't
marry me, will go to sea- +"
Jean was very handsome; he had
golden hair and long, golden mus
tache; blue eyes and a complexion
bronzed by exposure to sea and sun;
he was goodly to look at in his knitted
blue jersey.
"Ahi an! Jean, you all say that.
Pierre said it, and Jacques anC
Robert Tell me some news-I am
used to that old tale. IF you do not
marry me, will go TO sea-" Knocked
Marie.
''They SAID it, and doit. I say it,
and by our Lady I'll go this very
night if you don't promise to marry
me-" said Jean, f1ercely.
Marie turned a shade paler, but she
laughed as she answered.
"Well, Jean. I believe sailors life
is very happy one; you can try it. -
GA happy life! You pretend to be-
heve 1 can be happy without you?
Why, l would give ten years of my
life, if I had only eleven to live,
to hear you say you love me, and
you know it"
Marie colored with delight; this
was the strain she loved to hear; this
was the sweetest music to those
naughty little ears.
eff you didn't know it, there might
be some hope for me. Fool that ]
am to tell YOU" continued Jean.
~ can't contradict you" laughed
Marie, but the laugh was not so merry
as she meant it to be, and the fingers
that grasped the milking-stool
trembled visibly.
''Cruel! Coquette! muttered Jean
beneath his breath ''Well, adieu,
Marie Lesage. You may search al
France and you will never find man
to love you as I love the very earth
you tread on" and his blue eye:
flashed fire as he spoke.
'tAu reVOir," said Marie, lightly
stNo-it is not au revoir. Let u!
understand each other for once, i
you please. If we part tonight, it il
adieu forever I shall go to HaVr,
and get berth on board some ship
going heaven knows where, ant
never so long as l live, Marie, do
set foot in st. Senior again. If
go to the bottom, all the better
''For me?" interrupted Marie, look
ing archly at him under her Ions
lashes.
'.For you?-yes, for you. For if
were dead, perhaps you would com
to your senses; perhaps if were "
ing in my grave you would knoI
what I know now. In spite of al
your scorn OF me, Marie, l believe
nav, I am sure you love me-" sal
Jean.
Marie trembled and turned paler
but she threw up her head haughtil
as she replied:
81 like your conceit."
81 wish you liked me-, said Jean
dejectedly.
al dare say you think L shall CT
my eyes out when you are gone
sea Well, go on, mon cher, and W
shall see. Adieu," and Marie mad
her lover an elaborate courtesy, an
ran into the house, leaving the dii
consulate Jean to his own reflection:
They were not happy, those reflet
tions. He meant all he had Just sal
to Marie. He meant to go to SCI
since she refused to marry him. II
believed she loved him in spite of tia
refusal. He felt sure it was her low
OF cOquetry that made her refuse, bJ
he would not be trified with an
longer.
Marie had gone too far; he Woul
60 still further, even as far as Havrt