The Argosy — page 244: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

The Old Stone Cross. 227 mad jealousy, and of his vow to kill him if he persisted in marry- ing her. The Pére listened to the sad tale with pitying eyes. ‘* You mean to marry Jeanne Pichon? You are sure she loves you best? But I need not ask that,” he added; “I know it.” Pere Gildas had known all his flock from their cradles, all the younger members at least, and cared for each individually. ‘Tt seems to me,” the simple-minded priest said, ‘as if this trial came straight from the Bon Dieu.” Gaston smiled sadly ; he could not see it in that light ; and the Pere always did say everything came from the Bon Dieu. ‘Perhaps it is to try your patience, my son; to make you more gentle.” ‘“T do try to be patient, mon pere. I have reasoned with Pierre, and gently too. I tell him if Jeanne likes zm best she shall marry him.” ‘What does Pierre say to that ?” ‘“Ah, mon pere, he only showers curses on me; he swears he will murder me at the very altar.” Gaston shivered; the Curé looked sad. ‘This seemed a case almost beyond him. But he did what he could, consoling and advising by turns; and when at length Gaston took his leave, it was with a less heavy heart than he had brought with him. The days passed on. Spring changed into summer, and summer, in its turn, glided into autumn. And Jeanne and Gaston were not yet married, for the girl had such a dread of the jealous Pierre’s carrying out his dreadful threat that she could not be persuaded to name the day. . Poor Gaston! Poor Jeanne! ‘These were sad days for both of them. The patience Father Gildas had enjoined was indeed required in these weeks and months of waiting. “The Bon Dieu and the Holy Christ have forsaken us!” the young lovers often lamented, sadly, to one another. Michel the elder still persecuted Jeanne to marry him. Irritated beyond endurance at her steadfast determination notto answer him on this subject, he never left her without assurances so wicked that the girl shuddered even to ¢hink of his threats. ‘Ma pauvre Jeannette: I am so grieved for thee!” Barbe said one day. “‘ He zs a mauvais, is Pierre. Were I you, ma sceur, I would marry Gaston, and, bah! not give the scélérat a thought.” Jeanne could not help laughing at the spirited sentiment. Barbe went on: ‘I may be married, after all, before you, Jeanne. The Bagvalan* came here a few days ago, and we all know what that means. Itis not for nothing hecomes. Then I and Ursule Rohan have visited the holy Ufévritre twice this year, and both my pin * The marriage merchant of the Bretons, usually a tailor. Conniclooolkks (CO)