The Neihart herald. [volume] (Neihart, Mont.) 1890-1901, 1898-05-07

arated. AS Jean-Louis Joined them,
Bertoulin. with natural lack Of tact,
wishing to show something OF a
husbands authority, said:
Good night, Jean. I confde mad
emoiselle to you. Take good care Of
your mistressT' and with that he turn
ed and left them.
Jean-Louis flushed at the insult. but
said nothing, and the return was made
In silence. Aline, who usually led the
conversation, was a prey to conflicting
thought. She thought Of her accepted
lover and then stole a glance at the
strong, erect figure beside her. Final
ly she said:
well, Jean, only two or three walks
of this kind and hen we will see no
more of each other"
us the marriage to be soon, Aline?"
Yes; In a week"
well, little cousin, I am happy II
you are happy and l wish you the
greatest joy that can come to ones
life"
Are you happy, Jean?" persisted
the girl, feeling conscious OF a vague
desire that he should not be 80. For
reply he shrugged his shoulders. At
another time Aline would have drop
ped the subject without seeking to find
the meaning of the mans gesture.
But the conversation with Isidore had
irritated her and in comparison with
the smallness of character displayed
by him the strong simplicity of the
man beside her seemed more than ever
attractive.
What will you do when l am mar
ried?" she continued.
I'll come to see you"
NO" said Aline, cruelty; my hus-
band does not like you"
And your" asked Jean, calmly.
Il think l hate you" cried the girl,
passionately. you pretend to like me
n you are glad that I am going
away forever. Yes, glad. l know you
are"
stop! You don't know what you are
talking about" cried Jean. His calm,
indifferent manner had dropped from
him like a cloak and his words came
as though forced against his will. Aline
drew back in surprise at the change in
the man, whose voice shook with long
repressed passion.
You are forcing me to speak and
now you must listen" he went on. 81
love you! l love you as this man you
are going to marry never dreamed Of
1nutno have o1urauo IovnJ
more-worshiped you!
Then why have you not told me so
before 1t was too late?"
Cant you see that I, adopted into
your family, could not go to your faith
er and ask for your hand? l should
have lost you forever. have feigned
indifference and been called stupid
for the sole purpose of being zeal to
you, waiting on you and keeping harm
from you. Oh, Aline, why do you tor
ture me into telling you this?" The
excitement left his voice and he turned
YEARLY from her and began to walk
slowly on along the road. She follow
ed him, her heart beating wildly with
emotion. She had never seen him this
way before. How handsome he had
looked with his blazing eyes and quiv-
ering mouth. How big he was and
strong and noble! He turned to her
just as they reached the gate and, tax
ing her hand in his, said, gently:
II should not have spoken to you
little cousin. I had determined to play
my part out to the end and see, | have
failed. I will go away tonight. For
get me and my poor love, and be hap
py." He raised her hand to his lips.
"Good-by!' and he turned toward the
house.
Aline seized his arm. "You shall rot
go!" she cried.
IT must!"
"I command you to stay!"
at is impossible after what has pass
ed between u.s."
Very well, then. I shall go with
you"
"Aline. what are you saying?"
Must I tell this stupid man every
thing before he can understand? l love
you, too, M. Jean-Louis, and II you will
not marry me, I'LL"
She was caught in two strong arms
and the rest of her sentence was never
uttered.
But, little one" said Jean, looking
into the eyes raised to his, what will
your father say?"
my father loves you and he loves
me. Come and we will tell him."
The next day M. Isidore Bertoulin
and M. Beaujars had a short and fiery
interview. Aline and Jean-Louis were
not present. but from an upper win
dow they watched the visitor depart.