The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-07-13

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AS he spoke it he threw himself back
in his chair with an ineffable air of toll
Grafton ut their surprise on hearing such
q name. quite regardless of the fact
that not one Of those present, from the
farmer himself down TO the half silly
cousin who sat hugging himself in the
chimney corner. manifested the slightest
or faintest measure of surprise, interest
or any kindred emotion. Nevertheless
the effect was Just what he had calcu-
lated on, for seeing him expecting to see
surprise they all tried to exhibit some
and blamed themselves for their own ig-
norance in net knowing the name. which
thus gained vastly in Importance.
It was only natural that when the
next day the Beaumont family impaired
the secret Of the strangers name, with
various degrees Of confidence, they
should expect TO find in their listeners
an equal degree Of surprise, and it was
only natural also that they. being a sim
pier people, should have expressed in
words their sense of disappointment.
Thus it came to pass that in the village
of Charmont-sur-Pon the name of Rob
ert Macaire came to be regarded as one
fraught with an honor all its own, and
that the importance of the cwner of it
grew with an ever increasing rapidity.
Macaire remained at the house Of
Beaumont, and by borrowing reason
able sum of money from his host as
personal favor to him and by various
purchases Of clothing effected in the
neighboring hamlets on his account-for
he would not leave the place even for a
few hours-he began to make better ap-
pearance.
Hitherto the rustic youths had regard
ed Marie with distant love. They had
not ventured to lay their stricken hearts
at her feet, but had contented or rather
discontinued themselves by admiring
afar off the beauty which they dared not
approach. Now, however, with the
sight of q rival--for as such they OF
course regarded him-lovers regard ev-
cry one asa rival, and rightly so, when
they have not the courage to speak out
for themselves-before them installed in
the house, and their possible chances
fading into nothing, they began to grow
more courageous and to come closer to
the object of their alteration. although
they did not dare to speak.
There was one important exception to
this rule, bright eyed, keen witted
young fellow called Pierre Lamar, the son
of well to do farmer. He was some
what younger than the rest Of Marie's ST.
lent suitors. and he had hitherto refrain
ed from speaking to her of his love from
the natural difidence of youth, but for
some time il had been half understood
between the old folk that II the young
people should care to make it a match
there would not be any objection expe-
rienced from the seniors.
Pierre became more ardent in his WOO
ing, and although Marie had all wom-
ans natural gift in the way Of protec-
ton by keeping declaration away it
took her all her time to prevent the
young man from declaring himself.
Robert Macaire did not like the constant
attention which was involved in the
young mans passion and tried to keep
him away, but all in vain, until by his
delaying to declare his own intentions
Marie prompted Cupid with little jeal-
ousy.
AS Pierre's hopes began to grow Rob
ert awoke TO the necessity Of the case,
and as preliminary asked Marie TO give
Pierre his congo. This she did, protest
ing that she did not know why she should
do 80. Pierre was therefore kept strict
ly among the crowd who in the evening
were permitted to come to the foot of
their idol.
This was very pleasant for Marie, who.
like all her sex, loved admiration, and
also for Robert, who, like all his sex,
loved company, and who, by this time
confident of his success with the village
beauty, could afford to be easy in his
mind and to enjoy the company undis-
turbed.
There was very general impression
that Farmer Beaumont was possessed Of
great riches. For many generations his
family had been prosperous and thrifty,
and the hamlet was so small and so re-
mote from any great center that it had
always escaped lightly from the cruel
exactions Of the tax farmers. In those
days there were few banks. and in such
spots as Charmont-sur-Pont they were
quite unknown. Those who had any
money to keep--and they were none too
many-preserved it by the simple expo
dent of locking it In a strong box, hid
ing it in their houses or burying 1t in the
ground.
Robert Macaire knew well enough
that the riches which seem great in the
minds Of village lads may be only poor
when measured by the needs Of idleness,
but he was satisfied that there was some
money, great deal TO a man who has
nothing at all. The talk of her fathers
wealth decided him, and he took IA
vorable opportunity Of declaring his love
for Marie. The poor girl had little to
say, except to tell him tearfully and
with full heart that she had loved him
from the first.
The farmer, after the manner Of IA
theirs, would have questioned the wis
dom Of the step. for he would have liked
to have known something more Of his
would be son-in-law, but he was over
ruled by his wife. whose sympathy with
her daughter-aftert the manner of moth
ers-blinded her eyes to the danger she
was mourning.
The SWANS were inconsolable. TO the
indignation Of tho other girls, who could
not see what there was in Marie-al
though they loved her very dearly, Of
eourse--to merit such an absurd atten