The Norfolk weekly news-journal., 1901-07-19

mas hITtduy sUDSthntlal savings, II
yet you weep. 1t is not natural-un.
less-unless''- She paused, scanning
the girls face, and then said command.
ingly, Jeanette, bring me a f%ootstool."
As 1t was placed at her feet the mar.
quise lightly rested her hand on Jean.
cites shoulder and, pushing her down,
said peremptorily, "Sit there"
Il, madame, to sit DOWN."
Yes, and listen to me-"
The girl sank down on the little satin
stool, and her troubled eyes looked anx.
iously up Into the beautiful face bend.
Ing toward her.
The marquise, still keeping her hand
on Jeanette's shoulder, asked abruptly,
"Who is hep
He, madameT'
Yves; the man who made you weep"
"There Is nc one"
The marquise smiled. "Fie, what
untruths, little one! Your grtndmoth.
er wrote that she wished you with mo,
knowing that you would be safe here.
Now, why safe If there was no danger
at home? And here with me, protect.
ed and in good health, living an easy
life and having an honest fellow devot.
ed to you. you weep. And why2 There
can be but one answer-some one has
bewitched that little head and stirred
that little heart. Who can 1t be-let
me think? The miller's SOM"
Dubois? Oh, no, madame!"
'"Then perhaps the farmer LaudryT"
Never, never, madame! He IL so
rough"
"Ah! Some one more refined. Could
1t be the cures nephewT
"The idea Of that boy!"
"Some n older2 Why, I know Of
lone in your village. A stranger per.
haps, but so few go there, and you
have not been away from home. But
stay, did you not go to the Chateau st.
Rene for some weeks last spring."
Eyes, madame. l went there to help
take care of the children, as the Ouch.
ess had sent away her nurse for a holi-
day."
Surely you were not so foolish rs to
get a heartache over a servant there?"
mo servant, madame" was the ar
swer in a low voice.
"Not q master!" exclaimed the mar
quise. "Ah, there were guests, of
course! Is it possible that you would
listen to the idle batteries of a penni-
less poet?"
"He is not pcnniless, madame"
"Worse; a rich guest amusing him
self with a little maid"
mot amusing himself, Nine. la Mar.
quise," -~-- .~-ts.--,
Really this is alarming! So an old
roue"-
"Not old, madame" ~ :"
"Thin and littlef' FrtaaSs.8Sn.
"Not thin and little" ssssXySSyEssl
"Tall and stoutT" ~ssxtSSsssSSs,
"Not very stout" F@
'Black eyes?"
"Blue, madame-beautiful blue"
"a proud upstart Of a mushroom
family"
"Ah, no, madame; n of the Oldest
families"
Jeanette" cried the m%arquise, "you
brighten me; a rich aristocrat making
love 10 Il lttle Ountry GIRL"
"Alas, madame, l know full we'll that
/ am unworthy of him, but he told me
that he loved me-"
"And did he wish also to marry
you?"
jeanette sighed and after n moments
hesitation replied, "He has not settled
a definite time, but promised he would
If p
"If you-if %you-quick, quick, answer
mew
Jeanette's voice sank still lower as
she said, "If l went with him to Paris"
81 knew 1.-THE traitorv' cried the
marquise, springing up. "Oh, If we
women tried to ruin an innocent life,
how would the world deal with us?
But these gay lords Of creation cast
their snares, kill their victims, and So
ciety continues to open It's doors to
them and lavish upon them its smiles.
Jeanette" and she paused before the
young girl. who had risen from the
footstool and stood downcast and ST.
lent, "who saved you from this manT
jeanette raised her eyes timidly. "My
grandmother arrived one day. kissed
me many times as she said: You look
pale, petite. ! know that city eyes are
looking too often into yours. We are
plain country folk and must remain SO.
Come home, my child, with me- and
she packed my things and never let me
of her sight until we were home
again. l tried to see him, but grand
mother was like iron. She has broken
my heart" and the girl wept.
Poor little field flower" said the
marquise softly. This first sorrow,
like a heavy sorrow, bends your head
low in the dust; but, like others, It will
pass, and you will blossom again, fair
er than before, in the sunshine Of hon
est love-"
"Never, never, Nine. la Marquise,"
the girl.
Listen, jeanette. You are young
and do not know the world. This man
meant harm. He soon would have
grown tired Of your simple ways and
have put you aside as he would
away a faded flower, and then he
have married a lady for her for
tune"