Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1893-05-25

lOSe tuelr nOlu. Wnlle bn6 DlbS OF dry nay
scratched her face. Her more sturdy
companion followed and helped her along.
Reaching the top, they sat down and
looked at each other, then burst out
laughing like schoolboys stealing fruit
or serious persons caught in foolish act.
The descent was more easily accom-
plished. The gayety had passed, and
both opened books they had brought.
Jacques lay fat ON the ground, resting
upon his elbow. Marguerite was stretch
ed on pile Of hay which formed sort
Of chaise Tongue. Her tiny feet just
peeped from under the hem of her gown.
The thin cloth shoes perfectly outlined
her arched instep and delicate ankles.
1t was too hot to read. They were
both silent. Jacques eyes were riveted
on Marguerite. Her red lips trembled
like flower under the breeze. Her soft,
white throat was smooth as the surface
Of lake. At every breath her bosom
heaved, and the thin material of her
dress swelled like sail. Her whole
personality exhaled the subtle perfume
Of elegance. It was the first time
Jacques had noticed these charming de-
tails, and unconsciously he became alb
sorbed in their contemplation. Little
by little his thoughts became confused;
his soul rose to his eyes. He breathed
with difficulty, and a languor crept over
him. The heat of the day mounted to
his head and intoxicated him.
The country around was resting after
the days heat. In the faroff fields wom-
en- were gathering potatoes, and near
them little boys threw clods of earth at
each other. From time to time the cows
lying on the grass would low and turn
their heads toward the setting sun as to-
ward a departing friend.
Suddenly through the silent fields rang
the cries Of an angry voice.
"The field guardr' exclaimed Mar
guerite.
In the distance was a man gesticulating
threateningly at this couple, who had
pulled down his carefully stacked hay.
Like two guilty children, their first
thought was to fly from the ruined hay
stack. The boy was up with one bound.
But in her haste Marguerite lost her bal
ance and fell. He caught her in his arms
and righted her.
They ran across the field. For an in
slant they hid behind large mound Of
earth, then made straight for the beach.
Here they sought shelter in hut used
only by the customs officers and kept
very still, fearing to give their pursuer
the alarm.
Seated on the narrow bench Nine.
Helm leaned against Jacques. She had
never seemed so beautiful. Out of breath
from the run her cheeks We're red. her
nostrils quivered. With bended neck
and wide open eyes she listened in laugh
ing anxiety for the steps outside.
His ecstasy was complete. Putting
his arm around her waist he drew closer
to her. Turning to him in childish glee
she said, Jacques, we are savedr'
It was the first time she had called him
simply Jacques, and the boy lost his
head; with a brusque movement he seized
Marguerite's hand and imprinted on her
wrist passionate kiss.
Very pale, she rose, not knowing what
to say orthink. Agreat remorse struck
her like d knifs. Had she shown too
much affection for Jacques? Had she
been guilty of coquetry toward himi
The days Of their intercourse flashed
through her memory, and she found her
self guilty.
Instantly she resolved by some cruelty
which Jacques could not forgive to kill
the love she had inspired. She castupon
the boy one last look Of infinite tender
ness; then, gathering all her strength fo1
the deathblow, she said in her cold, beau
tiful voice:
ssYou little fool"- Translated For Ar
gonaut From the French of Albert Gui-
non by Alice Ziska.