The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1894-02-04
A VILLAGE KISS.

Jacquellne was young country girl.
who was IL years old last apple harvest,
and was a veritable model of sincerity
Every ono who knew her loved her. Her
skin was as white as the field daisy and
as brilliant as the corn poppy.
On market days Jacqueline mounted
her donkey, laden with fresh vegetables,
the appetizing products of her mothers
kitchen garden, and went to sell them
III Blois. When she appeared in the
square, every ono welcomed her. Her
eyes were so innocent, her voice so en-
gaSing that every ono was attracted by
her. Her carrots seemed better than
her neighbors', her potatoes had not the
least scar upon them, and her crisp let
tuce or crosses from the brook. looking
as fresh as herself, were. quickly bought
and at the highest price.
ought not to forget to tell you that
Jacqueline had no lovers.
At the village festival she made the old
dance till they named her the daughter of
miracles. Protected by the purity of her
thoughts, she kept the young men ut such
distance that they dared not even so
much as press her finger tips in sign OF
friendship. Jacqueline had friend in
Blols who was going to marry one Of the
village boys. Suzanne was her namo, and
she was two years older than Jacoueline.
She was pretty. but coquettish; attract
i've. but capricious. She had made her
lover miserable by her changing and
fanciful moods.
One day Jacqueline was about to Sc:
out for the village. when Blaisot, the
lover of Suzanne, approached her and
said:
Il suppose you will soon see my af-
fianced."
In an hour and Il quarter from now"
answered the courteous fruit seller.
And you will speak to hes"
Gas am speaking to you
"Oh, how happy you will be!'
"What prevents you from going and
having the same happiness?"
''She is gentle and kind to me some
times, and then she is cold and naughty,
and I can do nothing to please her"
bah! my friend. you are too good to
be worried like this. If l were in your
place, would have no fcar-no more
fear than of the house wolf, of which VIC
are often told, but which we never see.
while waiting. will You do me ii
kindness, Mile. JacQucine:'
"What is it:'
Take commission for Miss Su-
zannc."
with much pleasure, NJ. Blaisot. Is
it something TO give herr"
1T is indeed" said Blaisot, rubbing
his hands to give himself courage.
"And is il hcavv to cnrr1..,
Light as Il feather"
Then | will take it." said the i'm
prudent messenger.
Quick as flash Blaisot leaned down
and kissed the pure white forehead of
JacQuelinc.
What are you doing:' cried the as
tonishcd girl
Il have given you commission"
That kiss"
at is for Suzanne. You will carry it
free of charge and not leave it to be call
ed for. You know the address," and he
disappeared, laughing, around turn in
the road.
1t appeared as if the kiss of Blaisot
was heavier than he said, for .Jacuueline
remained pensivo and serious all the way
to Blois, and her donkey even seemed to
share her melancholy.
On her arrival at Blois she took care
not to break her promise and ran quickly
to SuZanncs house.
81 have commission for your she
said.
"Ah! An embroidered bonnet-some
fresh nuts-a rosary blessed by the
pricst:"
1T is mono Of these things"
ooh, hurry and tell me-"
ut is kiss from your betrothed."
''Oh, from him! He is no longer my
betrothed."
"Ah, well, take the kiss oil the same,
even if you arc having another quarrel!
What, you refuse?"
Absolutely"
"You will not leave it upon my
handsi"
'You need not feel it o burden"
but do not wish to keep a kiss that
does not belong to me-"
THAT Is Your own affair. You should
not load yourself with such merchandise.
IL may cost you a good deal before You
are through
Jacquoline returned to the village in
state of great perplexity. It seemed as
If tho kiss was visible upon her forehead,
like the mark of a penitent in tho church.
She hurried as fast as she could. and rs
soon as she reached homo she hastened
to call upon Blaisot, to whom she related
her lack of success.
ON, she Is i'll one of her proud fits. II
Is all the same to me. I am rich. am