Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-11-04
NithBaStiIIe Down

- -+e-t DA tAe TuNhy Dilm above the
sea and the morning breeze was play
ing lightly with her soft brown hairs
hut her eyes were on the ocean that
stretched OF and on into the distances
mere and there a sail fitted over the
blue waters and low on the horizon
lay The black cloud Of an outward.
bound steamers smoke; down below
ne elm tie eebing tide tapped stead
I ~ on he narrow stretch Of shore.
Yaiisutly trying to hold its own
against higher power.
unconsciously the young French
girls lips had parted over her white
teeth and her sweet face was very
Wist-uL Tt seemed as II she must see
over that mighty curve OF the ocean
10 the shores OF la belle France. The
roaring of the great French holiday
seemed 90 come ike a faint echo
across those cleaning. glistening Wa
ters and to bring with it that old
nomesicA longing that time would not
SIN ont Of her heart
A year ago Marie Cartier had been
az home ia Paris They had gone 10
Versailles 10 keep holiday. her good
father and gentle mother and she.
They had laughed and ioked and ban
| tered Ike say young folk out for the
celebration OF freedom. Henri Les
I carbot had come upon them in one M
/ the green-arcbed walks and made the
party complete, and it had seemed
that in all the world there was no
such thing as care. bnt only freedom
and the hateful Bastine down. There
Z hae been a crush Of people at the
cars going home at nishtfau. but
Marie had felt Henri's arm in hers
and laughed at any fears. Was he not
some day TO make her Madam Les
carbot1
For time it had been like hat
and then the dark days had broken
suddenly-the days when trouble
came running so fast upon its own
heels. The good father had been
stricken dead aud the gentle mother
was soon laid by his side. Marie had
sat alone waiting for Henrrs step on
the stairs. but he did not come. And
the fair young girl had bravely taken
tae chance offered to go to a new
world and teach a couple Of American
lads. il was plain that she must earn
the means TO live.
"Madamoiseuei"
Marie dropped her hands with an
impatient gesture. Why did this gem
ueman who meant so kindly come. to
interrupt her thoughts of the home
holiday?
"Dreaming2" he asked. and his
stick switched at a rock on the verge
of the blud
The girls face softened again and
she spoke quickly II was the great
French holiday and she had fancied
the booming OF patriots cannon would
come across the wide waters to the
children Of the Revolution.
Tom Lambert spoke his French
slowly and with effort It was in.
terspersed with Americanisms and
full OF short stops But 1t was strong
for all Of that and Marie found he
was asking her to be his wife.
Surprised and panied the girl drew
herself up and her hands worked nerv-
ously. Tom pleaded his cause gently,
very gently. With her slender figure
standing there against the sea and
the wistful face in profile. she seemed
so pitifully to need his care, and he
loved her as strong man loves a
maid He put hand on her arm. and
his eyes compelled her silence. There
should be no hasty answer, and when
there had been time for eonsidera-
uou he would be back.
When he had gone Marie walked
slo2 by along the clif. The ocean
giimmered in the sunlight and the
day was very beautiful There was
the steady click OF a hoe as a man
worked at the determination OF noxi-
Gus weeis in a vegetable garden, and
Il mingled with the moaning tapping
OF the waves.
Tom I.amberts honest words had
touched the girl To be free from
the cares that beset her meant much;
% meet good mans love half way
could but be right All through the
day she thought OF II, and when It
would seem right there would come
the old loneliness for Henri that
would not be stilled The world was
fun Of a wonderful sunset when
Marie sat down to write her answer
to Tom Lambert. short, firm note to
say that she could not be his wife.
II was dusk when Marie went down
to a bit of post box at the end OF tho
lane Her white clothes futtered in
the night air like a little RiIl-o-the-
wisp She was timid and the shadows
fell heavily under the tail oaks. but
she Kept on with the determination
that the letter must be sent that night.
A thin crescent moon hung in the west
fud the whippoorwills we're singing
yonder. They seemed TO be chasing
Mlrie and she ran back up the lane
after the post box had clicked shut
on her letter 10 Tom Lambert
BY the stile a tall man rose out Of
the darkness.
"Mariei" he cried. "Manel"
The girl screamed before she
caught the strong young face.
Henri" she said quickly.
When explanations came they we're
&c uplete.
Il couldn't find you until met
Thomas Lambert He said for me TO
come here" said Henri.
Marie clung TO his arm and spoke
very softly;
Monsieur Lambert is a good mani"