Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-12-12

Rxaught with an honor all its own, and
that the importance of the owner 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 a
personal favor to him and by various
purchases of clothing effected in the
neighboring hamlets on his account-for
be would not leave the place even for a
few hours-he began to make n 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 adniring
afar of the beauty which they dared not
approach. Now, however, with the
sight of rival-for as such they of
course regarded him-lovers regard ev-
cry one as n rival, and rightly 50. when
they have not the courage to speak out
for Observation-Disclosures 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 we'll TO do farmer. He was some
what younger than the rest of Marie's 81
lent suitors, and he had hitherto refrain
ed from speaking to her of his love from
the natural diffidence of youth, but for
some time it had been half understood
between the old folk that if 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 MaCairc did not like the constant
attention which was involved in the
young mans passion and tried to keep
him away. hut all in vain, until by his
delaying to declare his own intentions
Marie prompted Cupid with little ieal-
ousy.
As Pierre's hopes began 10 grow Rob
ert awoke 10 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 so. PiE-re 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. 10y this time
I 8 l., ~.
beauty, could afford 10 L. easy in his
mind and to enjoy the company undis-
turbed.
There was n 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 81 re-
mote from any great center that il had
always escaped lightly from the cruel
! exactions of the tax farmers In those
| days there were few banks, and in such
! spots rs Charmont- they were
| quite unknown. Those who had any
money to keep-and they were none tcu
! many-prcscrvedi ii by the simple expo
dent OF locking it i'll Il strong box. hid.
! ing it in their houses or hurving it i'll the
| ground.
Robert Macairc knew well enough
that tho riches which seem great in the
minds of village lads may be only pool
when measured by the needs of idleness
but he was satisfied that there was somt
money, Il great deal to man who ha:
nothing at all. The talk of her father:
wealth decided him, and he took Il fa
vorable opportunity of declaring his love
for Marie. The poor girl had little Il
say, except to tell him tearfully anj
with Il full heart that she had loved him
from the first.
The farmer, after the manner of fl
theirs. would have questioned the wis
dom of the step, for he would have like,
to have known something more of hi
would be son-in-Iaw, but he was over
ruled by his wife, whose sympathy witt
her daughter-after the manner of moth
ers-blindcl her eyes TO the danger sh
! was mourning.
The SWANS were inconsolable, TO tn
indignation of tho other girls, who coul,
not see what there WAS in Maric-al
though they loved her very dearly. o
course-to merit such an absurd atten
ton on the part of the young men.
Some of them did not hesitate to speal
their minds pretty openly. and thcr
were several unpleasant scenes by tn
well under the old limo tree. This pub
hcity brought somo of the young men +
book, and some of the others, rec0gniz
ing from Marie's attitude that their hop
was but small, gave up the chase an,
betook themselves to solitary wander
ings In the forest and carving initials o.
the trees-such of them as could write
and such despairing devices in the wa
of hearts transfNed with arrows as thei
imaginations could evolve.
Robert did not lose any time i'll hav
ing the date Of the marriage fixed. "Th
girl was willing" he said. the mothe
was satisfied, and the father did not OF
ject: therefore what was the necessity 70
delay" For reasons of his owll on whiC
he did not choose to enhghten them
Robert did not want any formalitv abou
the marriage which could be avoided
He told Beaumont that he did not trus
lawyers, a speech which pleased the oil
man, who did not trust any one, and quit
won his heart by saying when they cam
to discuss the betrothal:
Il do not know whether Marie Is I
expect any dot from you. and do ne
care. 1 am quite content that You wi
do what is best for her. want nothin
except to be allowed to live here wit
you, my dear father and mother, SO tina
l need not take Marie away from til
home where she has been so happy"
This of course made everythin
smooth for all parties, and not the lea:
for Robert himself, who thus escape
any dealings whatever with public off
Gals, whom he Stunned, and won con
pletely to his side the old farmer. VII
found indeed that he had not lost
daughter. but gained n SON."
The wedding was n great occasion
the village. The oldest inhabitant coul
mt n.alnninn L. ur,r,l,