The Lamar register., 1893-06-10

with smile, and reciprocated oy
giving good advice with almost
motherly tenderness.
| Time passed on. and often. when
returning from their walk. the day
died with the setting sur. The
women, coming home. would greet
them with some hall-audible. iestins
remark; the ragamui'ins would
giggle at them on the road; and the
men bow. with sort OF pleased, boor-
ish politeness.
1t was the first time since her de-
parture from Norway that Nine
Helm forgot her sorrow. She liked
her role of tender mamma, and put
an unconscious coquetry into her
| conduct She would often prelude
! her remarks with: Il, NJ Jacques,
/ who am an old woman-n and she
4 smiled to think of her three and
twenty years.
She did not dream how this child
adored her. Only once did slight
doubt enter her Pind, but Jacques
conduct quickly dispelled it He
treated her like an elder sister, and
did not mind appearing ridiculous in
her eyes To her this was sufficient
Z proof that he was not in love Anxious
to warn him against life's snaves. she
continued to show him a calm moth
erly affection. and the thought OF
having for Jacques any other senti-
mcnt would have shocked her.
After spending the greater part OF
an exceedingly hot day indoors, they
went one evening FOR their accus-
toned ufter-dinner stroll in the fields.
The setting sun poured its purple
rays over the country. tingeing sky
and meadows, houses and trees with
/ fire. The ocean was mottled with
red spots, forming bloody streaks.
Hard by. a haystack's irregular
cone stood out in melancholy profile
against the sky.
..Let's climb it'' said Jacques.
Marguerite gleefully clapped her
hands. Jacques. went on to recon
noirer. The road was deserted; no
one was to be seen in the neighbor-
hood.
She began the ascent with great
difficulty. Her feet would slip,
her fingers lose their hold. while
the bits of dry hay scratched her
face. Her more sturdy companion
followed and helped her along. Reach
ing the top, they sat down and looked
at each other. then burst out laugh
I ing. like school boys stealing fruit or
serious persons caught in foolish
act
The descent was more easily accom-
plished. Their gayety had passed,
and both opened books they had
I brought. Jac Iues lay nat on the
ground, resting upon his elbows
| Marguerite was stretched 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 out
lined her arched instep and delicate
ankles.
1t was too hot to read They wero
both silent jacques eyes were
riveted on Marguerite Her red lips
/ trembled like a flower under the
breeze. Her soft. white throat was
/ smooth as the surface of lake. At
every breath her bosom heayed, and
the thin material of her dress swelled
\ like sail. Her whole personality
I tNhH+SN tAS oNutAI H-A AAAAls VI SlS-
gance.
The country around was resting
after the days heat. In the far-oh
fields kneeling women were gather
irg 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 toward departing friend
Suddenly through the silent fields
rang the cries of an angry voice.
The fieldguard!' exclaimed Mar
guerite.
In the distance man was gesticu-
latlng threateningly at ,his couple,
who had pulled down his carefully
stacked hay.
Like two guilty children. their
first thought was to hy from the
ruined haystack. The bo, was up
with one bound. But in her haste,
Marguerite lost her balance and fell.
He caught her in his arms and
righted her.
They ran across the field; for an
instant they hid behind a large
mound of earth, then made straight
for the beach. Here they sought
shelter in a 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