Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1909-09-01
THE HOUSE BESIDE THE WATER.


because mirrored in the lake was the
Protection OF its high brown roof. and
/ its gray southern front hung with an
Old vine with dropping branches. 1t
was square. high aud massive, and
was separated from the other houses
Of the village by the lake on the south
and on the aorth by orchards and
vineyards Two enormous walnut
trees spread their heavy shade over a
great stairway OF marble. that led di-
rectly 10 the apartments Of the first
floor. The spacious rooms, the cell,
ings with their projecting beams, the
walls decorated with Italian fresooes.
the furniture dating from the eigh-
| tenth century, were neither comfort
able nor very hospitahle; but in spite
of their delapidation, they satisfied
the very simple tastes Of their own
ers. the Belmonts of Vsrtier. an old
couple of over sixty years, who had
| lived at the Grangerie since the time
of their marriage. There they passed
their honeymoon. and each year had
gathered the grapes from the vines,
while forty springs and as many win
! ters had passed peacefully away. For
them there was no home To be com
pared with 1.-THE house by the water
and the wine they made was superior
10 any made in the country, The
fruits from their orchard had flavor
= and sweetness not to be eQualed, and
The Grangerie was the most beautiful,
and the most charming that one cou d
find on the shore of the lake
This optimistic opinion was not
shared by thu nieces of the Belmonts,
twenty years, whom the old couple
had adopted and brought up from
their childhood
! After a stay Of four years IN a con-
vent at Chambrey. the sisters Mauri-
cette and Francine returned 10 the
/ Grangerie, spending long monotohous
months, doing invariably the same
tasks, and The same pleasures, such
as sewing and gardening under The
direction OF their aunt Belmont--on
Sunday, mass, vespers .snS benedictior
and in the evening syamea OF piquet
with their unc.e. never any excursions
nor balls nor Journeys.
Their most agreeable distra ,tion in
summer was in taking three times a
week a "Trip on the steamer taat made
a tour of the lake for the 1eneht 81
tourists. This boat full Of passengers
from the four corners of France. rep
resented for them all tho joys and
destinations of the outside world
They watched it from affair, they ats
tened for the whistle Of its engine
d.d saw it disappear with signs Of
regret They watched with eyes full
of eager desire, the tourists pass with
their Eyeglasses, the beautiful ladies
with their fancy travelling suits, and
In watching the silvery wake OF the
boal on the blue surface Of the water
they gave themselves Up 70 sweet
dreams OF worldly pleasure and 70
mantle adventures. But al the end OF
/ September the tourists went, with the
swallows, and the few who lived near
the lake, returned to their business IN
the city, and alone with their siihou.
/ ette OF the boat, the sisters returned
TO the nonotonous routine Of winter.
They were IN despair TO think %
4 their youth passing in this melancholy
.iat iat!ea, and on sunday al church
/ they prayed God and the saints TO
sent them some event, the unexpect-
edness Of which would make o DIVER
sion in their heart-rending uniformity
Of life
One summer day heaven aid answer
their prayer. A letter from Geneva
obliged the master Of the Grangerie
TO lie absent for week. and as the
husband and wife. like Philemon and
Baucis, could not i've without each
other. they resolved 70 70 together
and leave the house in charge Of
Mauricette and F'rancine So one
morning IN July. after having given
minute instrut ions to their nieces, the
Old couple entered carriage filed
with enough packages and provisions
for a long trip. and turned 10 the goad
leading to Annecy.
When they were alone and realized
that they were the mistresses 81 the
house, the sisters began 70 clap heir
hands and rack their brains TO invent
some pleasure sufficient TO prove their
momentary Independence But they
found nothing very new, and after
having looked around good deal,
about the fourth day they began to be-
roubled with their liberty. Az they
were seated on the veranda, absentiy
watching the clouds floating above
the mountains, there was suddenly
the noise Of steps and the shouting Of
voices In the vestibule. and they saw
wo young men of their own age, two
distant cousins. just out OF school near
Grenoble Who In crossing the lake
had conceived the idea OF raying aI
visit to their uncle and aunt Belmont
Manricette and Francine blushing
with JOY ard surprise explained the.
absence OF the old couple and desir-l
Gus Of playing the role Of mistressesI
Of the mansion invited their or sins.
to dinner. Was this net the event so
much wished for and the surprise 20.
much dreamed o. that heaven had all
last sent them? Before their Visit was
ended. they reso we'd 70 prof, ~ ihisI
unexpected turn 81 affairs, and iorI
once in their lives at eaFt % givel