The Connecticut labor press., 1920-03-06

Nanette's voice was tremulous with
 happiness. She had never seen Le-
 blanc since the day when he aban- doned her in Ste. Marie. She had learned that he was working in St. Boniface; but when she went there to l find him she was ordered from the lim- it's with threats by Morris. However, Leblanc had sent her a message that some day soon, if she did not attempt | to find him. he would return to her. l She had lived in that unquenched hope and now that wonderful day had | dawned, for he was to meet her if she l brought back Marie. He was to take her to the city, to marrr her and give her ring. Then she, tJo, would have shaken the dust of St. Boniface from her shoes forever.
 Marie Dupont locked the door, and the two girls stole away side by side in the gray of the morning along the beach until they reached the place | where Pierre and Leblanc were wait | ing. Pierre caught Marie in his arms | and pressed his lips to hers It was | the first time anyone had kissed her. l She trembled, half afraid, half regret full, as one who hovers upon the brink | of the irrevocable.
 The girls sat in the tiny cabin, while Pierre and Leblanc ran up the sails. As the sloop began to pitch in the | rough waters Marie grew more afraid | She was conscious that her happiness l had left her.
 They had started too late. In the middle of the channel the little boat | with its primitive centerboard was caught in the rough currents that beat | about the rocks and shoals at the turn of the tide. They drifted steadily down the north shore. Pierre cursed l as he strove to tack. Leblanc pro- duced a bottle of brandy and began to drink Pierre made Marie swallow some, and when Leblanc relieved him grew more boisterous in his love-mak- ing. Nanette was already half jntoxi- cated. Presently the two men fell to quarreling, until the realization that they were below the island and mak- ing for the open gulf sobered them. It was no such departure as Marie had anticipated. She crouched in the cabin in growing fear, terrified at the change in Pierre and in Nanette. Again and again Pierre came to her to force more brandy on her, and each time that she refused he grew angrier. Once she began to cry, and then, afraid of his gathering rage, pleaded with him:
 'sPierre, I am afraid. I thought it was a bigger boat. am afraid of your friend. Take me home. Some other time I will come"
 He cursed her and shook her from him. Then, as she clung to him again, he struck her across the face. His was her first blow, as his had been her first kiss. She sank down in the cabin and wept heartbrokenly, and now she was no longer afraid of the waves that Tapped the boats sides as it tossed and reared in the surging waters.
 An hour went by. The turning tide and veering wind enabled the men to get the craft under control again and head her up the river. Pierre came to Marie with the brandy bottle. He thrust it into her face.
 Come, little one, let us kiss and make up," he shouted.
 He pulled her to her feet. Her world was broken, life seemed help less, and in her broken pride she stood humbly before him in the rocking boat, her hands clasped.
 Pierre, I am sorry," she wept. 'sThou knowest I love thee, Pierre. Forgive me"
 Pierre laughed. It was good to see her thus
 Drink" he said, gathering her to him with one hand. '4Take long pull and we'll all be happy together. Drink !" he commanded, as she hesitat- ed in disgust at the smell of the liquor.