Little Falls weekly transcript. (Little Falls, Morrison Co., Minn.) 1894-19??, 1900-01-12
) Ttle Feast +.
: OF Guprian+

| DO you want 10 KNOW Wneu VIII
marry you. Marcel?'
Eyes. When?'
''When you stop drinking" and Miette
returned to her work,
"Oh, that! You always say the same
thing Is
Because there is always the same
thing to say"
"Miette, assure you all last week
drank nothing but water"
''But you made up for it on Sunday"
"Who told you that|
"What is the difference as long as
know"
"Well. l remember that did drink "a
little. but that is your fault, too-you
worry me so"
"How?"
"Marry me, and you'll see that STOP"
~ prefer to marry you after you have
stopped"
/ "You will discover some day that you
have been unjust to me-"
eve shall see ON St. Cyprian's day."
This was day celebrated by the coun-
try people in honor Of their patron saint.
LET us see il on the day Of the fete
you can go all 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 Mictte.
"Why. he is my very best friend" re-
piled Marcel as he left, whistling ostenta-
tiously. but carrying a heavy heart.
The poor boy loved Miette more than
all the world and would have sacrificed
his life for her gladly but some way he
had Iol in, rsr,Sor yiy1n in
spite Of his many good resolutions 1t
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
no. drop Of wine.
These vows he would undoubtedly have
KEEP: had it not been for his friend Cas-
soulrt. who was anxious to sUpplant him
in the affections Of Nix tie. Seeing him
determined not to drink. Cassoulet would
| begin to sing the praises Of Mlette and
then Impress upon Marcel that she cared
mole for tie young men OF tie town than
for simple farmer like him elf and that
she n'r;tlh some day to throw him over
| and marry one Of them. Finally Mar
cells jealousy would lrron,e aroused. and
he ~" ii d.'inl: to Iu"nch its fire. or
7L.> n t" WIS always certain to hear,
| + So let iool, :! ,'t'i 10. that.
81? WIS very -, -! !. etty on the
''y ~ IT,, & q l!s T. stcl:''d from the
49, -, win be" .""''ts. on the bank
= r." Hl:n:'r t:n: W. ne place where
..r &,:s,i'"'ti":l >'i~ - take pace. Mar
>.et vs. waiting thrr. for nrr. accompa
| a.: 4 h.: his il.>i'Ar.. X friend. Cassou-
let i, hey crossed fht' river in boat
and fund upon rc;;, hang the other side
that the great crowd OF people assembled
for Males around were already eating
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. flute and 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
"a 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 so 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
tie tables under the trees, and, when not
with Miette, Marcel was here with the
inevita BILE Cassoulet, who did not fail, to
call his attention to the young men from
the town who talked and danced with
Miette.
"Sce," he said, ''how gracious and ami
mated she is when she talks and how
she smiles ut them"
1t did not take long to light the fires of
jealousy in the lover, who thought he
could see that her smiles were not for
him alone. No; she was 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 neighboring inn, where Cas-
soulet offered him the consolation Of q
bottle of wine.
Here they remained until Marcel be-
came decidedly muddled, and it was time
to return to the others, who were max
lug preparations " " AOAue' ne dAO
Miette, with several others, crossed the
river, very wide and deep at this point,
in the same boat, and Miette perceived,
with 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.
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 off
his coat and leaped into the water. Aft
er what seemed an eternity he reappear-
ed with the girl in his arms. She was
put into the boat and before they reached
the opposite side had recovered con-
seriousness.
Marcel drove home and remained until
she was able to see him, later in the
evening. Then, in mutual explanations,
both learned Of Cassoulet's treachery.
What took place between these two
men was never known. Cassoulet left
the vicinity the next day and was never