The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1895-04-10
caressing growth OF the peace of the

caressing growth OF the peace Of the
fields.
This was Justine, the sunshine Of the
heart, the pride of her parents. For her
sake Bruno put of his taciturnity after
the days work. and on Sundays went TO
the fetes exhibiting his heiress dressed
in bright-colored gowns. with gold
chains about her neck-rhe jewelry Of .
long-forgotten grandmother. Justine
was not yet 30. and there had been no
thought Of marrying her.
Michel and Justine had grown up TO-
gether on the same soil. They regard
ed each other as If they had been old
people, talking and laughing together
without restraint, their conversation al
ways turning on the same subjects, their
labors and the seasons.
On the evening of the day following
that on which he had been with his
father on that strange excursion to the
town and the adjacent villages. Michel
met Justine; they looked at each other,
then suddenly flushed. and their eyes
grew moist with fondness.
They walked side by side.
When they were near the farm, al.
ready dim amid the shadows that were
creeping to the brow of the hill. Justine
asked:
%You and your father were away
from home yesterday-whye"
"Oh, yes!-Fancy!"
And with laughter and abrupt gest-
ures, fearing to offend Justine by ideas
forbidden to her modesty, Michel related
to her the story of the pilgrimage in
search of u wife.
ut was all nonsense" he added; u
don't know what my father has been
thinking of lately. I have constantly
seen him, spade in hand, removing his
treasures from one place to another.
And now he wants me to marry-a thing
1 never thought Of" look Of dreamy
helplessness in his eyes.
"Well, don't worry yourself about it,
stupid" cried Justine. "One would
think you were going to cry!"
"Do you want to get married, Michelg'
asked Bruno.
The young man blushed redder still.
shrugged his shoulders uncomfortably,
and replied:
"My father has ideas. stupid ideas that
come into his head-and insisted in 60
ing about the villages"
"But-what need was there to search
SO far awayp"
And Olympic, with her large hands
widespread, boldly indicated her
daughter. 1t was Justine's time tc
blush.
"Why notp" continued Bruno. I'VE
are fond of you, Michel. But it was not
for US to say anything; your father hss
money"
"Oh!"
This question of money shamed the
young man.
"My father would have it so," he said,
resolutely.
Justine raised her eyes to him. tool
his hands between hers and extended
them on the table. 1t seemed like an
oath taken, and bright vision passed
before all of them in silence. Justine
moved nearer to her lover, pressed close
ly against him and encouraged him tt
trust and to wait.
He went away. filed with regrets, tor
mented by remorse. All accompanied
him to the threshold, Bruno in advance
Then, with g movement of courage anc
will. Michel said to the master Of the
farm:
my father esteems you; he will only
do what I wish
Aod he departed. Justine saw him
through the shadows mounting the hill
path. He walked quickly, agitated By
his new suffering. For the first time II
his life he thought things no longer ap
peared to him as they had hitherto ap
peared.
A voice spoke to him confusedly
awaking dreams in his soul, q JOY in hiI
flesh. He also felt fear. He tried te
drive away the memory Of Justine. bu
this memory clung to him, went befort
him. shining like tender light. In hl
absorption be went by the gate Of hi
fathers inclosure.
On discovering what he had done ht
ran back, entered the cottage hurriedly
and, face to face with his father. felt a
If he had suddenly been turned into I
| block of Ice. Roch scolded.
"Where have you come from? From
Brugo'sp Oho!" And bursting into
loud laugh he added: "By your hang
dog look one would imagine that yol
have been up to some mischief. Wha
ails your"
The old miser than TRANQUILITY seate'
himself at table and helped the stew
While they were eating Michel eyed hi
father furtively, watching for the mo
ment TO explain himself.
"Well-what's the matter with youP
repeated the old man.
Il dsren't-"
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