The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1915-12-31
Her Dowry
By DONALD CHAMBERLN

ice. Before enlisting he had been on
the v Of setting out to what was for
merly Bretagne, OH the west coast OF
France, but now divided into several
departments. After a partial recovery
he concluded to carry out his previous
intention, hoping to gain strength by
breathing the salt air. He took with
him sketching materials, but made lit
tie use of them. sitting most of the
time in an invalid chair on a beach
famed by the sea breeze.
One day when he was thus occupied.
or, rather, unoccupied, he fell asleep.
When he awoke, a short distance be-
fore him was a young girl sitting at an
easel. Her back being to him. he could
not see her face, but from her costume
he Judged that she was a peasant.
This theory, however, did not CORE
spond with her painting pictures, the
one before her. visible to the ex-sOldier,
showing considerable skill. After
watching her for some time he sud
denly called out:
"Mademoiselle"
The girl turned, showing a face indi.
eating refinement, and looked at Hath
away.
1.-THE coloring you are giving the wa
ter" continued the young man III
French, 'is not what it must be. cons
sidering that of the sky. There is too
much blue in it."
The girl turned again to her picture.
looked from 1t out to the water and
the sky and admitted that monsieur's
criticism was correct. Then she pro-
ceeded to change the coloring.
Hathaway chatted with her while
she painted and before they parted told
her about the war. his wound and that
he had come to the coast to regain his
strength. This was the beginning Of
an acquaintance.
Meanwhile Hathaway regained his
strength. The girl, who gave her name
as Louise, proved herself far more com
p%anionable than might have been eX-
pected from a simple country girl. She
appeared to be unsophisticated, but
Hathaway came to suspect that she
was less SO than she appeared. Now
and again there came q twinkle to her
eye that confirmed this suspicion. This
twinkle. accompanied as it vas by a
smile that produced a pair OF pretty
dimples. was very engaging. Before
the young American realized where he
was drifting he was madly In love.
Then came those efforts to escape
from al enthrallment with one of an
inferior social grade which have from
time immemorial been made by lovers.
But Hathaway was not successful and
fingered on at the coast instead Of es-
Gaping from temptation by taking him
self elsewhere.
One day Louise told him that a fete
day was approaching at which a dance
would be held for manageable girls.
who would be present with a view to
being selected as wives. She explained
to him that they would wear skirts
composed Of white and yellow bands
indicating the dowry they would re-
ceive. Each white band represented a
hundred. each yellow one a thousand
francs. Hathaway expressed a desire
to witness this curious scene. and
Louise told him when and where It
would take place.
On reaching the ballroom he saw
Louise dancing. her skirt being com.
posed OF two white stripes and three
yellow nj indicating that her dowry
would be 300 francs, or $6OS. The
moment he entered the room she looked
at him. then cast her eyes down to the
stripes Indicating the amount Of her
d0wry, as much as to say. you see
what I will bring you IL you marry
me-"
Louise was far more refined looking
than any girl In the room and acknowl-
edged to be the most beautiful. She
sailed past Hathaway temptingly. and
he was sorely tempted. When she had
finished the dance he Joined her. and as
the atmosphere in the room was hot
and close she expressed Il desire to
breathe the outer air. They walked out
into a moonlight night.
Byron says. "The DEVILS in the moon
for mischief" Hathaway proved this
by telling Louise that he loved her.
She gave. him a chance to withdraw
by saying that she was quite sure he
was a gentleman and would regret {:
marriage with a mere peasant. But
he swore that he would love her II she
were in the lowest rank Of human he.
lngs.
The next morning he woke up in tine
sunlight instead Of the moonlight and
was Of a very different opinion. III
deed, he was conscious Of having tax.
en- a very unfortunate step. What
would he do to get out of his proposal:
Then. like a shuttle. he rushed to the
other extreme and did not wish to get
out Of IT.
During the morning a lackey called
and told Hathaway that he had been
sent to conduct him to a manor house
in the vicinity that had been rented
for the summer by an American fam
fly. who wished to entertain him. He
accompanied the man and was usher.
ed into q drawing room A lady rose
20 receive him. whom he recognized at
once as Louise. He stood transhxed
for a moment. while she stood smiling
at him. Then they were folded in an