The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1910-04-08

we'll. Both the girls were cOmely, and
1t seemed to the men that there was
something about them to render them
superior to their class. Having been
asked their names. they gave them as
Jeanne and Fanchette. Jeanne. the
n who criticised. Allinson's painting.
was a brunette. Fanchette a blond.
Nothing a be more delightful than
a Irritation between two girl friends
on the n side and tow men friends on
the other. especially when there is no
clashing in preferences. Atkinson and
Jeanne paired; Wallace and Fanchette
did the same. The four met frequent
~ and walked and chatted, most Of
their intercourse being in company Of
the whole. The girls, who were cir
-cumspect, were not to be found by
the young men separated, though when
all met they would at times stroll In
pairs in different directions.
The time came when the two Ameri-
cans who had entered upon this ASSOC
citation with two peasant girls for a
bit Of pastime began to find that there
was a serious side to 1t. Their COM
munications grew more and more like
lovemaking, and the girls gave a will
ing ear. In time the expression of
pleasure and amusement gave way to
q thoughtful cast. Were they falling
in love? Were the girls giving away
their hearts? The men could not mar
~ French peasant girls. Yet would it
be honorable. having won their hearts.
to desert them7
Atkinson and Wallace consulted with
each other over their position. fully
realizing its seriousness. but making
no effort to break with the girls before
matters should be worse. Preparations
were made between them to fold their
easels and sketching chairs and go to
Paris. from whence they came. and
thus cut the Gordian knot. But when
one was ready to go the other backed
out. And so they drifted as in a boat
toward a cataract.
They have a curious custom in Brit
tany. On certain fete days the mar
riageable girls appear in red p%etticoats
with white or yellow borders round
them. The number Of borders denote
the portion the father is willing to
give his daughter. Each white band
denotes $50 per annum; each yellow
band represents 5000 a year.
One day when this double pair were
together the girls said that n of
these fetes was to come off and, it
would be pleasant for them all to meet
there. Neither Of the young men real
lied how far he had gone in his affair
till the girl he was devoted to in a
roundabout way limited that he would
learn Just what dowry lie might ex-
pect her to bring him. The young men
agreed to meet the girls at the fete;
then when the former were alone to-
gether they compared notes, each ad-
hitting to the other the hint he had
received as to the information he could
get as to the dowry bis girl would.
bring him.
The matter now looked serious In,
deed. The two men spent much time
indeed. all their misunderstanding to
find a way out Of the escapade, neither
Of them wishing to find such a way.
They drifted into the hall as they had.
drifted into the affair itself, though
they made a resolution to show the.
girls that they did mt consider the
AFFAIR Of any serious consequence by
doing considerable Of their dancing
with others. But they had been max
ing such resolutions aver since the at.
fair commenced.
"Dear little things!" remarked Allin-
SOC to Wallace. They will suppose
that she was aware that I did suspect
her, for she showed me plainly that
she fearcd me. Doubtless she would
have taken Of sent away the diamond
If she had I'll, but, Treusdail. at my
suggestion. would not permit any one
to leave the place without being
searched. the guests volunteering to
submit to the ordeal Il they were
obliged to leave before the gem was
found. /. 4.
I held long deliberations with Miss
Sweet, who was now profoundly Ii.
terested In the case. These delibern-
lions, besides giving us something In.
common, enabled me to>be a good deal.
with her. hoped. Il I made any FUR
ther progress. 70 have my assistant 70.
think thar II was her ingenuity or
~perceptive faculty that was doing the
work and not mine. visited for this
On thessbasis that II youS make per
ron think ~ . talented Il counts for
more than IS you show your own abil-
~.
haya made discovery. said