Baraboo weekly news. [volume] (Baraboo, Wis.) 1912-197?, 1914-12-31
WithBastiIIe Down

stretched off and off into the distance;
here and there sail fitted over the
blue waters and low on the horizon
lay the black cloud Of an outward
bound steamers smoke; down below
the cliff the ebbing tide tapped stead
lily on the narrow stretch of shore,
Valiantly trying to hold it's own
against higher power.
Unconsciously the young French
girls lips had parted over her white
teeth and her sweet face was very
wistful. 1t seemed as if she must see
over that mighty curve of the ocean
to the shores of la belle France. The
roaring Of the great French holiday
seemed to come like a faint echo
across those cleaning, glistening wa
tiers and to bring with it that old
homesick longing that time would not
still out of her heart.
A year ago Marie Cartier had been
at home in Paris. They had gone to
Versailles to keep holiday, her good
father and gentle mother and she.
They had laughed and joked and ban
tered like gay young folk out for the
celebration of freedom. Henri Les
carbot had come upon them in one of
the green-arched walks and made the
party complete, and it had seemed
that in all the world there was no
such thing as care, but only freedom
and the hateful Bastille down! There
had been crush of people at the
cars going home at nightfall, but
Marie had felt Henri's arm in hers
and laughed at any fears. Was he not
some day to make her Madam Les
carbot?
For a time it had been like that
and then the dark days had broken
suddenly-the days when trouble
came running so fast upon it's own
heels. The good father had been
stricken dead and the gentle mother
was soon laid by his side. Marie had
sat alone waiting for Henri's step on
the stairs, but he did not come. And
the fair young girl had bravely taken
the chance offered to go to a new
world and teach couple Of American
lads. It was plain that she must earn
the means to live.
"Madamoiselle"
Marie dropped her hands with az
impatient gesture. Why did this gen.
tleman who meant so kindly come tC
interrupt her thoughts of the home
holiday?
"Dreaming?" he asked, and his
stick switched at a rock on the verge
of the bluff.
The girls face softened again and
she spoke quickly. 1t 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. 1t was in
terspersed with Americanisms and
full Of short stops. But it 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 work ed 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
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 considera-
ton he would be back.
When he had gone Marie walked
slowly along the cliff. The ocean
glimmered 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 weeds in vegetable garden, and
it mingled with the moaning tapping
of the waves.
Tom Lambert's honest words had
touched the girl. To be free from
the cares that beset her meant much;
to meet a good mans love half way
could but be right. All through the
day she thought of it, and when it
would seem right there would come
the old loneliness for Henri that
would not be stilled. The world was
full 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.
1t was dusk when Marie went down
to a bit Of post box at the end of the
lane Her white clothes fluttered in
the night air like a little will-o'-the-
wisp. She was timid and the shadows
fell heavily under the tall oaks, but
she kept on with the determination
that the letter must be sent that night.
A thin crescent moon hung in the west
and the whippoorwills were singing
yonder. They seemed to be chasing
Marie and she ran back up the lane
after the post box had clicked shut
on her letter to Tom Lambert
By the stiIe tall man rose out Of
the darkness.
ttMarioi" he crind FFMarioi"