The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-04-10

is this marriage business that worries
you. and you have some notion Of your
own"
Michel nodded.
Justine pleases you, then2n
The young man looked at bis father
and resolutely replied: "Yes.n
what about mel"
Michel was silent; his weakness and
cowardice came back; he was afraid Of
offending the miser.
"Don't be uneasy" said the old man.
Justine Is your tAsts, bat what dowry
will she hRvef Her parents are not rich.
I believe, while you will have money
aud rich lands, you know"
Eyes"
~Oh, know that they are honest peo-
pie, and that with them my vines have
nothing to fear"
Filled az he was with anxiety, Michel
knew not what to say; his heart was
overcome with love and eternity.
"You are an odd fellow; but well, after
all, why should ] not accept Justinee I
prefer people who have surnounted
privation and poverty" And. with .
decided tone and gesture, he added:
swell, we'll see about it-that win re-
mind me Of past happiness aud Of your
poor mother"
He scratched his forehead. dried his
eyes; big tears we're running down his
cheeks.
"Tn have it so-but on one condition.
It's fancy Of mine
Michel turned pale and his lips quiveFA
ed and be leaned back little In his
chair, rs II terrified BY these strange ex-
nberances
,"What IL this conditioue"
"You will marry-that Is settled; but
Til not give you the money till you have
given me q grands0n-an heir 70 my
name.1 And he laughed boistereusly,
Michel observing him dubiousiy.
$50 be 1t. father-I accept"
They struck hands on the bargain
made.
Three months afterward Michel and
Justine were married and living ss
Bruno's farm, By the torrent Michel
still worked at his fathers vines. bot
Justine never went beyond the Enclosure.
ALI were happy. The miser's fortune
slept TRANQUILITY underground, in some
unknown nook.
But near all this happiness and hope
fulness, death was keeping watch
One evening the nliser, while doing
something in the interior OF the cottage,
slipped. fell on his head and expired.
When he was found-the next morning
his body was cold and rigid. Natural
" the old mans treasure occurred to
the minds Of all; had he been murdered
by some robberp Everybody on the
farm, including Olympic, set to search
ing the whole OF Rochss land; but moth
ing was discovered. Tho cottage, with
its barred door, would speedily have fal.
len into ruins under the beating Of the
rain; but they kept 1t intact. as sacred
altar. ts.
The Spring arrived. and Justine be-
came happy mother. With the Spring.
too, came long and heavy downfall Of
rain. Michel, Bruno and the women.
who sometimes tremhlingly entered the
dead mans domain, went to see what
effect the delnge had bad upon the
empty cottage They opened the door,
breath as from the tomb exhaled fEOm
the deserted dwelling. They sounded
the walls; the rain had eaten into them
on every side-the shattered building Of
stones and reeds WAS ready to fall At
any moment Michel sadly and vague
ly Razed on the ruin.
But the clouds had passed to the end
| of the plain; the Sky had cleared. and
suddenly . dood Of sunlight spread over
the lands Of the departed miser.
Then from the highest part Of the
roof OF the desolate cottage broken
tiles began TO fall and o shapeless
something was laid bare to the sun-a
coarse canvas bag. which moved and
burst; the miser's treasure! The peas
ants spraug back, aud pisces Of money.
white and yellow, poured down In .
torrent.
All! old Roeh might well have
laughed to himselti Vaiply the domain
might have been searched till dooms-
dayl Doubtless he met his death in
the act Of forming that fnal hiding
place for bis beloved treasure. And
still the showerof gold continued-slow-
| II now-now as intervals--now drop BY
drop.
Michel collected the whole-thonsands
upon thousands Of gold and silver
pieces. Silently he and Bruno heaped
! the treasure upon hand-barrow. covered
it with . blouse and wheeled 1t to the
farm through the Hvid half light of the
evening.
Nothing was said Of the dead miser,
but the thoughts Of al turned to him
. little more lovingly.
Their wealth was great enough for
them b have enjoyed ten yeeas Of
fnzzaAl IA b. he Er2t Ss Ar