Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-03-04
A CONFESSION.

AS IL rang marie l6Sa9e nnlSQSu
milking the last COW in the farmyard
close by the church; she rose at the
sound. and put her stool under her
arm while Jean Tissot who was
standing by her side mechanically
dotted his cap and there was silence
for a minute between them.
The previous conversation had APP
pareutty been very animated. for
MaFie'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
ga4ed distractedly on Marie's pretty
profile snd charming little figure. ia
its neat gray dress and white apron.
y Marie was farmers daughter, and
did not wear the ugly loose black
jacAetssaud unbecoming round fiat
caps redeemed from ugliness by their
steamers of the Avranches peasants.
No Biarie was a coquette. and wore
short petticoats because she had
small feet; a tight bodice because
she had j charming figure; red rose
In her black hair because it con-
trastea we'll with her raven plaits;
and q white muslin tichu over her
gray dress. because it showed to ad-
xaatage her clear olive skin.
The sngelu5 bell ceased and Jean
renewed his conversation.
Marie l meant it. If you won t
marry me | will 60 to sea"
Jeau was very handsome; he had
golden hair and a long golden nous
tache. blue eyes and complexion
hronzed BY exposure to sea and sun;
he was goodly to look at in his
knitted blue jersey.
..Ah! an. Jean you all say that
Pierre said it and Jacques and
Robert. Tell me some news-I am
used to that old tale. If you do not
marry me. l will go to sea. Knocked
Marie
Is They said it and | do it. say
il and by our Lady I'll go this very
night il you don't promise to marry
me " said Jean. tiercely.
Marie turned a shade paler but she
laughed as she answered:
We'll Jean. | believe a sailors
life is a very happy one; you can try
1T"
"A happy iifel You pretend to be-
licEe can be happy without you?
Why. [ would give ten years of my
life ii 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.
IF you didn't know it there might
be some hope for me Fool that | am
70 tell you. continued Jean.
Il can't contradict YOU laughed
Marie. but the laugh was not so mer-
RI as she meant it to be and the I'm
gers that grasped the milking stool
4rembled visibly.
Cruel! Coquettei' muttered Jean
beneath his breath. We'll, a1ieu,
Marie Lesage. You may search all
France and you will never find a man
10 love the very earth you tread on. !"
and his blue eyes flashed fire as he
spoke
.Au revoir said Marie lightly.
Not IS not au revoir Let us
understand each other for once If
you please. IL we part tonight it is
adieu forever. | shall go to Havre
and get berth on board some ship.
going Heaven knows where. and
never so long as | live, Marie, do
set foot in st. Senior again. If go
10 the bottom all the better"
For me9" interrupted Marie look.
ing archly at him under long lashes.
For you?-Yes. for you. For If /
were dead perhaps you would come
80 7
ing in nay grave you would know
what know. now. In spite OF all
your scorn of me. Marie. | believe
nay. am sure you love me, " said
jean
Marie tremhied and turned paler
bat she threw up her head haughtily
as she replied: Il like your conceit"
IL wish you liked me, said Jean
dejectedly.
Il dare say you think | shall cry
my eyes out when you are gone to
sea We'll. go mon cher and we
shall see. Adieu and Marie made
her lover an elaborate courtesy and
ran into the house. leaving the dis
consulate Jean to his own reflections.
ale turned on his heel ana gave a
p
it's matched roof and dormer win
dows its roses and its poplars, all OF
which he loved so we'll he should
never sec them sgain; the swallows
would come back again next spring
and build in the caves over Maries
window but he--he would never.
never come back
The church was empty and Jean
having lighted a candle and said a
prayer at the Lady altar went into
the confessional and knet there
knowing the priest would come and
sit as he always did at hall past six.
Presently jeans deyoiions were
disturbed by step he would have
recognized in Australia or Siberia as
Marie $; it advanced up the aisle to
the ady altar and there it stopped.
Jean rose from his knees and.