The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-18
Mara me.


Therei One more look, and Marianne
is at last ready. Her toilet has taken a
long time today. Twice the clock has
| sounded since she stood there, itrying IN
turn her gray dress. her black one TRIM
med with pink, and all her pretty ribbons,
and having finally chosen. she turns
twists, approaches and retreats from the
little glass, very much annoyed al not
seeing more of herself at time.
1t is for the grand fete Of Portrleux that
she is so anxious to make herself look
pretty. where will be gathered all the
people Of the coast, from Paimpol 10
Binie
She has drawn aside the white curtain
of her window, and stands looking out
unheeding the brilliant sunshine which
floods her little room.
Down the long, white road her eyes has
caught sight of mans figure, wnlcn
comes nearer with long, swinging gait
Another could not have distinguished
personality at that distance, but well she
knows that the silhouette viii turn out
to have the blonde hair, the bleu eyes
and the fine figure OF Pierre keTdos, come
over from Plouha for the fete.
The sun-burned cheeks Of Marianne had
raddened, but suddenly the color fades.
He has come very near and stops at the
next house, where white gown appears
in the doorway.
Marianne hears. in a pleasant, manly
voice:
Good morning. Nils. Corentine!"
Good morning, NJ. Pierre" comes the
reply. Are you going to the fete to-
day?''
There is no longer a figure on the road
and Marianne drops into chair, while
the tears ran down her pretty checks
onto the newgown.
For long time she sobs on in grief and
disappointment. her head in her hands,
caring little that she is disarrangirg her
hair and disfguring her face. All at once
voice calls her, and the head of Coren-
tine appears at the low window.
NO says Marianne, without turning,
Ego to the fete without me. Tina. 1 have
a headache and am not going
But Corentine is not TO be put off with
this excuse.
Come to the edge of the woods, any,
way. The air viii do you good"
Marianne, against her will, yields. and
the two girls start out together, walking
slowly along the white road bordered
by oak trees, COrentine talking as usual,
Marianne, with bowed head, trying to
swallow her tears.
They arrive at the fountain, where, ac-
cOrding to tradition, young girls can tell
by dropping acorns into the water
whether thew are to have husbands or
not. Corentine goes to the edge, but poor
Marianne, sitting down in the grass. re-
fuses to consult the oracle.
How do you want your husband to be
light or dark?'' asks Corentine, smiling.
q detest blondesr' exclaimed Marianne.
"Blue evesI They are horrible for a
man." said Marianne, pulling furiously
at some blades of grass. They make
him look like girlr'
"Oh." replied Corentine, ''you will hard
ly say that Pierre Kerdos looks girlish.
He is the bravest finest fellow in the
world, and the girl he chooses is lucky"
Am 1 to congratulate your
me? Oh, no, It IS not 1 Pierre cares
for-but 1 know who she is. He talks to
me very often about her. because he is
not as brave in this as in most things.
He is afraid to tell her and wants me 20
hello him"
do know her?' Marianne's voice is
low
Yes: come here and will point her
out to you. You cannot see her from
there
Wondering, Marianne approaches. Co.
rentine seizes her, pulls her to the foun-
tain and shows her her own reflection in
the water.
But unfortunately you do not care for
a blonde husband Corentine smiles ma
liciously.
"Oh. Corentine, was so Jealous of you.
and I have been so wicked. He always
talk of you and has hardly a word for
me-"
But we always talked OF you and of
somebody else. too. Jierre has cousin,
and-well. you and I may become rela-
tives, Marie
"Guillaume LIE Braz," Marianne ex-
claims. Why, Tina, he is as black as
ravens wing.' And laughing, they throw
their arms about each other. then start
off joyously, hand in hand, for the fete.
From the French.