San Saba County news. [volume] (San Saba, Tex.) 1874-19??, 1893-01-27
A CONFESSION.


milking the last COW in tho farIuysrd
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
parently been very animated. for
Marie's cheeks we're flushed. and her
bright eyes sDarkled like diamonds
under her dark brows while Jean
looked on the verge OF despair as he
ca ed distractedly on Marie's pretty
profile and charming little figure. in
its neat gray dress and white apron.
Marie was . farmers daughter and
did not wear the ugly loose black
jackets aud unbeeoming round fiat
caps redeemed from ugliness by their
streamers Of the Avranches peasants.
No Marie was a coquette. and wore
short petticoats because she had
small feet; a tight bodice because
she had a charming figure; a red rose
in her black hair because it con
trasted well with her raven plaits;
and white muslin fchu over her
gray dress because it showed to ad-
vantage her clear olive skin.
The angelus bell ceased. and Jean
renewed his conversation.
Marie I meant it If you won't
marry me- I will go to sea"
Jean was very handsome; he had
golden hair and Il long golden NOUS
tache blue eyes and complexion
bronzed by exposure to sea and sun;
he was goodly to look at in his
knitted blue jersey.
'.Ahl ahl Jean. you all say that
Pierre said it and Jacques aud
Robert Tell me some news-I am
used to that old tale. III you do not
marry me. will 20 to sea j" Knocked
Marie
- They said it and I do it say
IT. and by our Lady I'll go this very
night if you don't promise to marry
me y said Jean, fercely.
Marie turned a shade paler but she
laughed as she answered:
We'll. Jean | believe a sailors
life is very happy one; you can try
1T
a happy Iifel You pretend to be-
lieve I can be happy without you?
Why I would give ten years of my
life il [ 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.
III you didn't know it there might
be some hope for me Fool that am
TO tell you " continued Jean.
Il can't contradict you laughed
Marie but the laugh was not SO mer-
~ as she meant it to be- and the I'm
gers that grasped the milking stool
trembled visibly.
''Crueu CoquetteI' muttered Jean
beneath his breath. We'll. a1ieu.
Marie Lesage. You may search all
France and you viii never find man
TO love the very earth you tread on. ="
and his blue eyes flashed fire as he
spoke.
'Au revoiE said Marie lightly.
Not is not au revoiE Let US
understand each other for once If
you please II we part tonight it is
adieu forever I shall go to Havre
and get berth on board some chip
going Heaven knows where and
never so long as I live Marie, do l
set foot in St Senior again. If I go
to the bottom all the better"
For me?" interrupted Marie look
ing archly at him under long lashes.
For you?-Yes for you. For il I
were dead perhaps you would come
to your senses; perhaps if l were ~
ing in my 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 trembled and turned paler
but she threw up her head haughtily !
as she replied: Il like your conceit.n
Il wish you liked me- said Jean
Il dare say you think shall cry /
my eyes out when you are gone TO
sea Well, 90 mon cher ana we
shall see. Adieu. and Marie made /
her lover an elaborate courtesy and
ran into the house. leaving the dis
consulate Jean 20 his own reflections.
He turned on his heel ana gave
farewell glance at La Metairie. with
its matched roof and dormer win
dows its roses and its poplars all of
which he loved so we'll: he should
never see them again; the swallows
would come back again next spring
and build in the caves over Marie's
but he-he would never
never come back
The church was empty and Jean
having lighted a candle and said
prayer at the Lady altar went into
the confessional and knelt there.
knowing the priest would come and
sit as he always did at half past six.
Presently Jeans devotions we're
disturbed by a step he would have
in Australia or Siberia as
it advanced up the aisle TO
-he Lady altar and there it stopped.
Jean rose from his knees and.
Deepiug round the corner of the re-
,ess. looked 10 see if he was right
though he had not shadow Of doubt
IN the subject Yes II was Maria
She now wore a little straw hat trim
ned with wreath OF rose buds. and
he mad removed her apron. and wore
i little shawl round her neck.
Her back was towards him as she
lnelt with hands and eyes raised to-
ward the statue of our Lady; she was
evidently praying earnestly. Pres
,ntly stifed sob reached Jeans
ears. then her shoulders began to
leave her head sank on to her hands
md she sobbed wildly for some min
ties.
Il was right she does love me
lfter all; shall go and comfort her?
dare not; she would scorn me as she
las done so often. On, if were only