Year: 1862

fully at first, but now at every step be grew
gloomy and lost courage. To his comrade,
Jaques Faval, he frankly cou6ded his trouble.


lt was fear that MANNED and dshgnred
as he was, his Marie would no longer be
willing to accept him for her husband
This fear grew so strong on him that when
they came in sight Of the dear old cottage,
he paused in on olive grove, and sent bis
friend forward to prepare bis betroth.
cd and his mother for the sad change they
must see in him.


Jnques fonnd Marie leaning over the
gate, looking down the street She was al.
ways looking out for returned soldiers now.
She seemed disappointed that Jaques was
not Jean-but greeted him kindly, aud drew
from him all he had to tell Of her doubling
lover, Calling Mother Moreau, and Jeans
young brother, she ran before them down
the street, and soon cheered the sinking
heart under the olive trees With glad en-.
brace aud welcome home. Then came
the young brother, laughing loud to keep
from crying, and affecting not TO see that
dangling cOatsleeve, or to miss the grasp
OF the lost right hand Then the mother
thanking God as she fell on the breast Of
her sen, putting the hair from his Scared
forehead and blessing him. Pretty Marie
had SHRINK q little from that ugly red
mark on his cheek, but the mother kissed
that very spot most teudeIly with murmurs
of plying love-


Ihe next day, Jean generously offered to
free Marie from her engagement, but she
refused to be freed-reproaching him with
tears for thinking so poorly of her as to
suppose she would forsake him when be
most needed her


Bot Marie, he said, we shall be so poor
My pension will be small, and | can do lit
tie with only left arm


But Jean, am young and strong,
and


God and the saints will help us ,interpos-
ed Mother Morran.


Jean and Marie responded by silently
crossing themselves, and the marriage was
fixed for the first Sunday in the next month.


On the evening before the wedding, the
Count De Lomc, who Lad lately returned
to the Chateau, sent word 10 Mother
Moreau, that with the permission of the
wedding party, he would be present at the
church to give away the bride.


With that perfect punctuuliiy, which is
part of true politenesS, be came at the ex.
act time appointed, and leaning on his arm,
there came Sigh pale young officer, Capt.
Henri, now Col. De Lorme With respect
ful eagerness Jean stepped forward to greet
him, and, in his joy and faithful devotion,
would have kissed the hand held forth, but
that De Lorme, With sudden impulse of
affection, extended his arms, and the broth
erS in heart embraced. This is custom
in France, with men-but only when they
are equal in rank At this moment the
young noble caught sight of that mournful
empty sleeve aud pressed it to his lips.
Jean, he said at last, in o soft unsteady
voice, bring you good news ! The En-.
peror himself witnessed your gallant conduct
in rescuing me aud our colors and if yon
had not been disabled you would have
been promoted as it is, you will receive
the pension of Lieutenant. And Jean,
l give you joy, mon frere, he sends you This
the highest reward Of brave soldier of
France, the best wedding present for a
hero.


With these words, the young Colonel
placed on the breast Of the poor conscrpt,
a shining ornament-the grand cross of
the Legion Of Honor.


So The Wedding Of Jean and Marie was
a merry one, after all. The good old
Co1nt not only gave away the bride, but
gave with her nice little dot or portion.
All the villagers who were rich enough,
gave them presents, and The poor gave bless
ings, which doubtless turned into good
things in time.


Marie Moreau proved such an energetic,
devoted wife, that jean felt that he had
more than got his right arm back again /;
yet he was no idler for he found that with
practice he could do many things with his
left hand and at length adopted the business
of a vine grower.


AS he grew older his beard grew heavier,
so that in few years little Henri, his son,
had to part with his chubby fingers, the
thick, crisp hair to get at that sabre scar,
when he wanted to hear the story of the
young captain, and the banner, and of the
great Emperor on the hill, overlooking
everything with his keen, gray, unaInching
eyes.