The Argosy — page 248: what you’re looking at

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

The Old Stone Cross. 231 ton, the warm-hearted Breton lad. Bending over his brother, he assured him that he forgave him everything. A light broke over the face of the dying man. A glimmer of the lizht from above, thought the good priest, sent by the Saviour as a token of forgiveness to this erring sheep of His fold. Before the moon, then rising over the trees, shone through the casement, Pierre Michel was dead. ‘The once jealous, revengeful spirit of the Breton peasant was at rest. “Peace be with him!” aspirated Pere Gildas, as he ciosed the eyes of the dead man, and left the crucifix between his cold hands. V. WINTER had passed; the time of the singing of birds had come again. The chestnut-grove was budding forth in the joyous sunshine, making glad all hearts in this little commune. The old stone cross, with the still, inanimate figure of the Christ, stood where it had stood for centuries: a memorial of the devout and earnest faith of generations, long since gathered to their rest. On this joyous spring morning, Gaston Michel and Jeanne Pichon were once more standing beneath the old stone Cross. Hand in hand, they knelt on the green sward, and with hearts full of thankfulness, prayed for a blessing on the life they now hoped to live together. They thanked the Bon Dieu—ever called so in their simple phraseology—for having heard their petitions when they were in that dreadful strait ; and they vowed, by divine help, to spend the years that would be allowed them to His honour and glory. As they rose from their knees and prepared to leave the glen, a gleam of sunshine lighted up the old stone and shone down through the chestnut shade, its rays casting a halo of glory round the bent head of the Christ. “Do you see that, Gaston?” exclaimed Jeanne, in excitement. “It is showing us that Heaven is pleased at our having come to this blessed spot.” And Gaston bowed his head in reverence. | Silently, hand in hand, the two who had just renewed the vows, made a whole long year ago, left the chestnut grove, and came out into the sunny daylight beyond; their hearts in tune with the glorious blue sky and merry warbling of the birds. They, the two Breton lovers, were at last to receive the reward of their waiting. Darkness was gone, summer and happiness were before them: on the morrow they were to be made one. The Bon Dieu had heard their prayer. CONNIClOO (SC Q)