New-York tribune., 1903-11-10

-I'r have 70 tell her tonight" said Jean No
deste
he swept the last brown folds Of net together.
and rising slowly. hung them on nail behind the
door. He stood for moment looking round the
little broken down shed. which Suelt 80 strongly
Of fish and tar His straight dark features wore.
fo- once. look Of dstaste. The narrow bed in
the corner the wet nets that draped the walls the
old chest upon which he had been sitting the
gaudy Virgin and Child which MS dead mother
had pinned long ago beside the tiny wI1GOw-they
poor and wretched. these things. after al
And yet unless he obeyed MS father nov. even
these few poverty stricken possessions would b his
no longer.
He turned away with a sudden. impatient move
u1ent. and went out 1t was evening. and men
we're Iounging against the VOW wall OF the quay
snatches OF talk and laughter came and went upon
the still air. At a mist was rising after the
heat Of the day. like thin white curtain. which
unseen hand kept moving 70 and fro
Jean Modesto strods along the quay in silencs-
The Ioungers turned TO look him he went. and
one two flung a jovial remark after him be
neard the word wedding" at least twice. and
each time his black head went little higher 10
the air and his eyes cleaned sullenly- Some one
laughed passed. and he set his teeth and NUT
tered under his breath His father had
not been long about publishing MS victory
He left the quay and struck through the pines
along the shore Under the red rocks that tutted
out IN a little promontory into the girl was
waiting He caught the hutter OF her dress. the
gIeam Of her hair as she came. and set his teeth
again II was that cleaning mass Of hair. so IN
usual TO his Southern eyes. which had caught his
fancy first when he saw her leaning over the wall
OF the quay.
She saw him long before he reached her. but she
did not come to meet him she had always done
before Instead. she stood very still. her hands
hanging at her Sides only her dress huttering now
and then the air caught It. When at last
he came close to her he that her face was very
pale. her wide soft eyes had strained look Even
the bright hair that he loved was RULED and wild.
as though she had lot cared 10 smooth II back be-
fore she came out
ment, sne shrsnk back For mqInete - et[L-@E t-
5iS - 1,,rf - ,o.-t-a - -sj s-gsr arsi0sf
her himself. his father-rhs whole world-tearins
"oR, Jean her voice was thin and hoarss. 1t
He could not look at her He tried TO find words
to answer. but they would not come Suddenly she
sq66 T1sd Of o T8 h e615 ad her e0Rpg& as with HP 10 her 2ds
oh. JeanF'-he heard the soos c5oking her as
She was still save for the GRIEF that shOok her as
sne sat there roclng neTSe- 70 &c a. snsr s9 ar Hs
stood before her. mute. suIlen. tall blue figure
passion sldderIy he dropped on his knees beside
her and put his arms round her with roushness
what does it matter to you?' he said in her ear
go[ Tnqt DO 'y Tot }o please him but be-
cause. unless I do It, I'm beggar Do you under
S6yo Snd1 What lis f T0og a5y ychoEd @ ca and he 9' eo
the hands he had dragged from her face Win
kisses. She lifted her pale face and looked az hin
WHY should you carer" he went on DO you
think ! am going leave you for herr he
laughed little savage laugh under MS breath
NV father may marry 70 her II ne pleases-
he can't chain me 70 her petticoat, suppOse-eh.
little ons?' His voice softened curiously. Yours
rnine-always' he said
She looked at him for an instant longer Then
shiverfng a little. she drew her hands from his
The deadly palIor Of her face struck him dumb
Did you think I was that sort-JeanF sne
He bneIt beside her in silence Reproach could
have struck no deeper II was not anger n her
voice-it was surprise; and II cut him Ike knife
''vou think 1 would dO-that.' she said, slowly.
"aud vet you say you love ne You marry her
for the money she haS-and yet you say you love
rneY'
There was silence gain He hung Ills head under
ths gaze OF her cc'isng eyes
s'It's true enough he said; II do love you Do
you want to see me begging by the roadside ehf
Is that what you call lOve2' He laughed angTily.
''Iove's a fine thing when the seas smooth. he
said but Il isn't worth dying for little When
a mans offered bread IN one hand and love n ne
othar-veU. he doesn't choose love-
She rose from the rocks and drew her faded
skirt away from him There was kind OF horror
in her face He II, and caught at her skirt.
missing It
Where you going. en- nc saio. quickly
What co you mean 70 dor