Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1900-01-05
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Of Guprta,1,-
$1,000 i.s;.s

! EDO! you want to know, when | will
marry you, Marcel - s. WI -. L -
II YES. When?' >:*..'5 LIS. z
4 : When you stop drinking and Miette
returned to her work. i. .o xsS Z,
Il "Oh, that! You always say the same
thing" s- /. .~..* 2s '+ vi. ~ -,
Because there is always the same
thing to say" ~, r p
'Miette, assure you all last week l
drank nothing but water T.. =
But you made up for it on Sunday"
"Who told you thaty' = H.
"What is the difference as long as
know?' ~> j.
"Well, l remember that l did drink
little but that is your fault, too-you
worry me so.'
"How?''
MARRY me, and you'll see that stop"
II prefer to marry you after you have
stopped -.
"You will discover some day that you
have been unjust to me-
1--WE shall see on St. Cyprian's day."
This was a day celebrated by the coun-
try people in honor Of their patron saint.
LET us see if on the day of the fete
you can go ali day without drinking"
"And if do will you marry me?''
"Perhaps"
"Well, goodby," said he, little en-
couraged, going toward the door.
LET me advise You not to be SO friend
~ with Cassoulet.'' said Micttc.
"Why, he is my very best friend re-
piled Marcel as he left. whistling ostenta-
tiously. but carrying heavy heart.
The poor boy loved Miette more than
all the world and would have sacrificed
+; II I,
had not succeeded in giving up wine in
spite of his many good resolutions. 1t
was so strange that it was SO easy to
take just one glass, that one followed an
other more readily still.
AS he walked along the road he thought
of his fine acres of land, of his pretty
home, where he had lived alone since the
death Of his parents, and reflected how
little he cared to work there for himself
alone. The thought of Miette there keep
ing the house for him made him renew
his VOW to win her by not touching an
other drop of wine. d..
These. vows he would undoubtedly have
kept had it not been for his friend Cas-
soulet, who was anxious to supplant him
in the affections Of Miette. Seeing him
determined not to drink, Cassoulet would
begin to sing the: praises Of Miette and
then impress upon Marcel that she cared
more for the young men OF the town than
for simple farmer like himself and that
she meant some day to throw him over
and marry one Of them. Finally Mar
cells jealousy would become aroused, and
he would drink to quench it's FIRE. OF
this Miette was always certain to hear,
for Cassoulet looked out for that.
h.
day Of the fete as she stepped from the
carriage, with her parents, ~ the bank
of the Rhone opposite the place where
the celebration was to take place. Mar
Gel was waiting there for her, accompa-
MED by his inseparable friend, Cassou-
let. " They crossed the river. in boat
that the great crowd Of people assembled
luncheon under the shade of the big
trees.
As soon as lunch was over the dancing
began. A large platform had been built
and covered with an awning, and at one
end sat provincial orchestra, composed
Of two violins, q flute and a harp.
Marcel danced many times with: Mi
cite. who smiled sweetly upon him. He
was radiant with joy, forgetting the sus-
picions aroused by Cassoulet, and SEEM
I'd nearer than ever before to- the realiza-
ton OF his desire. At luncheon he had
refused anything to drink, and now he
promised to do 80 not only all day, but
all his life. He was rewarded by look
| Of tenderness that made his happiness
still deeper.
Those who were not dancing sat at lit
~. ~
| with .Miette, Marcel was here with the
inevitable Cassoulet, who did not fail to
call his attention to the young men from
the town who talked and danced with
Miette
See he said, .'how gracious and ami
mated she is when she talks and how
she smiles at them!' :
1t did not take long to light the fires Of
! jealousy in the lover. who thought he
could see that her smiles we're not for
him alone. No: she was a .coQuette: she
did not love him: she never had loved
+, him. He was all. for going to her at once
! and reproaching her publicly. but his
friend dissuaded him, and they retired
| instead to a neighb6ring inn, where Cas-
sou1et offered him the consolation Of a
| bottle Of wine. ..z <f~
here ney renamed untli Marcel BE-
came decidedly muddled., and it was time
to return to the others, who were max
| ing preparations to go home He and
Miette, with several others. crossed the
river, very wide and deep at this point,
in the same boat. and Miette perceived,
f.with a pain in her heart. her lovers con:
:dition. She was silent. and sad. When
| the boat reached the middle Of. the
stream, Miette dropped her handkerchief
into the water. Reaching quickly and
instinctively for it, she lost her balance
and the next instant had disappeared in
the waves. <E@>. " ! 4 II : z:: s-s* "a,
!: A cry OF horror arose from the boat,
but before all had realized what had
happened Marcel. his faculties complete
ly restored by the shock. had stripped od
!, his coat and leaped into the water. Aft
er what seemed an eternity he reappear-
cd with the girl in his arms. She was
put into the boat and before they reached
the opposite side had recovered con.
sciousness. = ls:zss5s. 81 81 ss 1zss l..
Marcel drove. home and remained until
she was, able to see him, later IN the
evening. Then, in mutual explanations