The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1896-01-16

II was az the little hamlet of Pilhoel, one
of the widest on the coast of Brittany, almost
savage in its environment Of blue rocks.
At thai time Pilhoel was corner unknown
TO tourists, and a few painters who went there
to sketch took care not to lead thither the i'm
perfume crowd of elegants and curious.
There is in France-at least, on the borders
of the sea-no village, however humble, which
has not its pearl of beauty. 1t was no un-
truth so to call Jeanne the pTettiest girl in
Pilhoel
She was 16. and he whom she loved was
four years older; handsome youth who
equally with herself, felt the flow of noble
blood in his veins
He was slillful in his calling and bravest of
the brave; with all that, dreamer, taking
little part in the Sunday sports on the square
in front Of the church.
What was it separated these two beings, so
completely made TO unite their laborious and
resigned existence? Their common poverty
Both were orphans. Loehic had earned his
scanty living in service on the boats, and only,
at last had been able to buy one for himself.
And such boatl-the oldest and most sea-
battered of the little feet
As to Jeanne, she had been reared by her
old Aunt Mathurine, who had brought her up
self not to allow her niece to marry any but n
man who would be in a position TO assure her
(Mathurinel comfortable provision for her
cid age
This man she had chosen without saying
anything about it: it was Matthias, The pilot,
who was looked up to by the whole fishing
community of the little hamlet. A rough
man, with his weather-beaten face and hands
cf bronze, yet hale and hearty, in spite OF his
30 years.
But Matthias was no fool. and when ne
thought of his ace he laughed at himself, and
again became paternal with the young girl,
who had never even suspected the combat
that was being wagr-d in the old sailors heart.
All her tenderness was reserved for Loebic,
and, knowing that her aunt was opposed TO
her marriage with him. she had resolved TO re-
main unwed rather than become the wife of
any other man.
She had sworn it to him one evening when
they had met upon the shore in the soft
moonlight, broken by the sea into a rain of
gold; he had even placed upon her finger a
ring in remembrance of her promise-a poor
brass ring, but one which moDseigneur the
bishop had blessed at the last confirmation.
After that supreme interview Loehic every
dav. without rest or truce Tissed his life IN
his miserable boat for trihing gains, and
Jeanne repaired the nets Of cid or unmarried
fishermen for a small piece of money, which
aunt Mathurine dropped into the throat of a
nearly empty purse
There was a iete that day at Pilhoel The
pilot, Matthias had solemnly retired.
As soon as if was daylight his comrades
went TO his cottage 10 play the drum and fire
guns and pistols under his windows. Then
the maidens brought him a large bouquet.
which was presented by Jeanne
As was proper. this touching ceremony was
not left without its comic side This was
secured to it by aunt Mathurine, by the offer
ing of pair of slippers embroidered by her
seii-a garden in tapestry, with roses re-
sembling cabbages and birds that might
readily be mistaken for gnats
All this revelliDg had filed the morning
down to one O'Clock, and the time was then
come for putting off to sea, TO make UP for
the early lost hours Of the dav.
There'l be tempest presently!'' said
Matthias Take care of yourselves, boys!n
All you have done well to quit the busi-
ness, my good Matthias ~ Aunt Mathurine
softly in his ear.
Jeanne looked sadly on while Loehic adj
iusted, as well as he could, the rough and
torn sail, which, like wounded wing, was to
bear him out TO sea His soul was heavily
by melancholy.
Never had he felt 50 completely downcast
so, when passing near him, while her aunt
was offering a pinch of snuff to Matthias.
Jeanne had said 10 him:
Don't go out to sea- my Loehic, 1 beg of
you ~
The only reply he had been able TO make
to her was:
80, let me go Il wish to die.
p" Take my better boat, lad, " said Matthias,
with rough tenderness
But, for the first time the poor young fell
low had noticed fhp old MANS aSsi3,tifies IN !