The Louisiana populist., 1897-08-06
Jean had no wish, either, to break the

jean nau uO WISH, ellner, 10 DreaK the
silence.
aye ken this is the second time your
obstinacy has come in the way" said
John, finally.
81 mind," said Jean, briefly. "But
didna mean We to TAX it as We did yon
time," she responded. a,.
II didna ken,' replied John.
1t struck neither of them that there
was any pathos in the sentence-a
pathos of ten years mistaken silence.
"Are ye sure ye mean it noo?" he
asked, getting up.
Il certainly dae," said Jean, firmly.
"Then gude-by, Jean.'
"Gude-by."
The instant the door was shut Jean
almost strangled Thrift with kisses.
Unfortunately the practical things
could not be settled so summarily.
Jean had given up her house and she
found it was let to the new dress
maker. She was not accustomed to
complications in her life. Alternatives
seemed to crop up, and they worried
her. AT the same time Thrift was her
one object. Everything was directed
to this am.,
After some few weeks she got tum-
bledown little cottage about mile
from the straggly village. 1t proved
too far, or the hang of the new dress
makers skirts proved too much for
Jeans old customers. Work and pay
became scant. The little dressmaker
bore up proudly and bravely. She
stinted and starved herself, but Thrift
grew and hourished. There loomed be.
fore her always fear of the Charity"
where her boy might be taught-and no
one knew at what expense Of unkind.
ness.
If the worst came to the worst, she
would ask John Forbes to get him in,
and she would become servant. One
wintry evening the child was fretful
and ailing. A knock came to the door
and John Forbes entered. He did not
appear to notice the extreme poverty Of
the cottage, nor the miserable attempt
at fire. This fact brought a rush Of
gratitude to Jeans heart. 1t was to see
if these things were as bad as report
said, that he had come.
He took Thrift upon his knee and he
talked occasionally to Jean.
Can dae onything for ye?" he said
suddenly. 'For the boy, We ken"
A little flush came in jeans cheeks,
She faltered her thanks.
No idea that she might work on he,
old lovers pity crossed her mind. She
began timidly asking him if he could
manage to send Thrift to the home he
had mentioned.
'Why, moo, when ye were so sci
against it?" asked John, with a severi.
ty that was not reassuring.
"It's circumstances" said Jean, brief.
ly.
She felt that she would rather die
than let John Forbes know there was
nothing to eat in the house and no mon.
ey. She would have risked everything
but for the fear of Thrift falling Ill.
"Weel," said John, slowly, "Tll see
aboot it. But hoo wull ye pay me,
Jean"
The little dressmaker drew herself
up.
"There'l oe no fear O that, John
Forbes
"But ye hivna telrt me in fat wye,
Jean"
in honest money by honest wark."
The pink flush had deepened into a
leep crimson on her cheek.
"But l dinna want your money, and
Is for wark, suppose you come and
Tark for me-"
"Na, na," said Jean, involuntarily.
She had had her chance Of being mis-
ress at the farm. She could not stoop
o work for another, as she supposed he
meant.
"Weel, come wi'oot doing ony wark."
Jean looked at him in utter bewilder.
nent.
'The difference atween us Law in
Thrift. If he gaes ava there's naeth.
ng nede hinder your coming to the
arm"
II didna expec' ye'd think I meant
'ou," said the little woman. She was
hurt. "I'll thank We a. the
lays O. my life if yell dae for Thrift.
'ut I'm no seeking to be beholden to
ou for myself"
"Ye'll be gey lonely wroot Thrift"
cay"
Jean nearly smiled because she was
o near to tears at the thought.
"Fll be lonely at the farm"
"Ye can mairry," said Jean.
She suddenly felt that she had cut
erself off from every possibility by
er suggestion. She had done it for
thrift all along; she would have mar.
led him for Thrift's sake, she gave him
p for Thrift's sake. Now Thrift by
er own act was to 60 away from her.
nd John Forbes was nothing to her.
he unexpected touch Of kindness had
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