Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1902-10-29

Bah, Il Is not 81 such times a
these that the teacher thought Of ~
other man. While the glamour OF TIT
rich manly beauty was upon her.
while these full tones trembling int
tenderness filed her ears and while
these wonderful eyes slipped their shy
caresses into hers; why should she
think Of a thin, energetic face devoid
Of beauty, Of crisp, clear tones, Of eyel
that met hers calmly, coolly. Once she
had thought of it and against the i'm.
age had sprung that uncanny, French
saying;
argent compliant porte medicine
She had hated herself for the saying
for the thought How can one be
sordid Of soul when one walks among
the pines and has wet flowers prof
fered by slim, strong fingers. And If
the fingers tremble a little in their
eagerness? VOLTA rargent! What is
ready money compared to ready love?
If one be young.
And Nizile? The girl who stood
watching? Did she weep when the
strollers disappeared leaving her
~alone-utterly alone in the heart Of the
sweet-scented forest. Her teeth bit
~iercely upon her quivering lip. Again
and again she said it:
same de boue, anne de boue."
Her eyes glittered. She was angry?
Mais oui. Had he not spent every
Sunday with her since she began to
wear his ring, two years ago. And
many Sundays before that? Had they
not wandered through hours of sun
shiny weather up and down this little
valley, or sat hand in hand upon the
fallen .ree trunkP Speaking at longin.
tervals-too happy to talk. Sunday
after Sunday for two long years. And
now it was Sunday and she was alone!
Nizile had risen early as her habit
was, to do the cooking for the day
and make herself fine and fair before
he came, then she had slipped away
to the trysting place to await his com.
ing. He had come-gathering flowers
for the teacher.
same de bouel a soul Of mudl" Those
beads upon her lashes were tears of
rage then, not loneliness?
Eli bien, women weep for many
things. The great God made them so
lest their hearts break in their breasts
and they die.
Nizile wept. Face down among the
ferns and flowers. Careless Of her
pretty dress and the bright ribbon at
her throat. Forgetful of the bangs
she had curled against his coming. She
lay and wept. Why? Who shall say7
A swinging stride came down the hill.
side; a rich voice called her name
caressingly. Nizile sprang to her feet.
One hand smoothed her rumpled
dress; the other flung out in scorn:
"va!"
But he did not go. Why should he?
Had he not seen the look in the other
mans eyes. The look Of a strong man
proof against defeat?
"Cherie," he said, tenderly, "Ma
he took her in HIS arms. He hushed
her bitter reproach with kisses, slow,
sweet kisses, that softened the girls |
heart and made her forget her anger.
Her head sank against his breast and
his dark beauty mingled with hers
as cheek pressed against cheek. By
and by they sat upon the log, hand
in hand, and said nothing.
A woman walking upon the crest OF
the hill looked down into the valley and
Jaw them sitting there. She started
and stumbled. A strong hand caught
her arm. A white hand large and
well made. The right hand of a man
who has sat much behind a desk and
made many figures. The well-kept
hand Of a mar who is neat because
he was born sO-because his father was
so before him, and his grandfathers
for many generations. The woman
at the steadying hand and
smiled with sudden kindliness into the
face above her. A plain face, indica-
tive Of great energy. And as she
smiled she talked to herself. She did
not say; argent compliant porte
medicine" nor yet came de boue."
She spoke English, saying:
"He has broken finger nails"
C'est vrai. But, quel voulez-vous2 a
broken nail is better than a muddied
soul.zNational Magazine.