The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1893-01-13
A CONFESSION.

The angelus bell was ringing from
the picturesque little church of ST
Senior village just below the town
of Avaranches, in Normandy.
As it rang Marie Lesage finished
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
~doffed his cap and there was silence
for minute between them.
The previous conversation had up
sparently been very animated. for
Marie'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
gazed 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 and unbecoming 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; tight bodice. because
she had charming figure; red rose
In her black hair. because it con-
;trasted we'll with her raven plaits;
and white muslin fichu over her
cray dress because it showed to adj
vantage her clear olive skin.
The angelus bell ceased. and Jean
renewed his conversation.
marie I meant it. If you won't
marry me- ! will go to sea-"
Jean was very handsome; he had
golden hair and 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.
.Ah! ali! 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, I will go to sea-. +" Knocked
Marie.
They said it and do it. I say
it and by our Lady TIL go this very
night if you don't promise to marry
me- said Jean, tlercely.
Marie turned shade paler but she
laughed as she answered.:
Well Jean. believe a sailors
life is a very happy one; you can try
IT."
"A happy life! You pretend to be-
lieve I can be happy without you?
Why. [ would give ten years of my
life if 1 had only eleven to live, to
hear you say you love me- aud 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 l 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 fin
gers that grasped the milking stool
trembled visibly.
Cruel! Coquette!'' muttered Jean
beneath his breath. We'll. adieu.
Marie Lesage. You may search all
a dANO tbtAO yOO WILL AOVOI Auu q lAdn
TO love the very earth you tread on.
and his blue eyes flashed fire as he
spoke.
'Au revoir" said Marie lightly.
Mot is not au revoir Let US
understand each other for once. if
you please. If 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 I live Marie, do l
set foot in St. Senior again. If 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 if
were dead perhaps you would come
TO your senses; perhaps if l were 'ly-
ing in my grave you would know
what know. now. In spite of all
your scorn of me. Marie believe
nay, l 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."
Il wish you liked me, " said Jean
,dejectedly.
Il dare say you think l shall cry
my eyes out when you are gone tc
sea. Well 60 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.
He turned on his heel ana gave 8
farewell glance at La Metairie with
its matched roof and >dormer win
dows. its roses and it's poplars, all o.
which he loved so well: he should
never see them egain; the swallows
would come back again next spring
and build in the caves over Marie
window, but he-he would never.
never come back.
The church was empty. and Jear
having lighted candle and said 8
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 devo;ions were
disturbed by a step he would have
- recognized in Australia or Siberia a.
Marie S; it advanced up the aisle t.
the Lady altar and there it stopped
Jean rose from his knees and
peeping round the corner OF the re
cess. looked to see if he was right
though he had not shadow Of doub