Where Deep Seas Moan

ere he was a welcome visitor, not only to the daughter, but to the father, who valued the advice and skill of the master of Orvillière in all things pertaining to the management of the farm.

rs into a band of all day workers, for the purpose of deeply trenching a certain field in preparation for the cultivation of parsnips. The large expensive plough to be used was the joint property of Le Mierre a

ks, where granite, ivy-covered boulders rose grimly along the slopes and little ravines of the cliffs. Primroses, many of them milk white, starred the grass; and wild blue hyacin

lds, a very king of farmers. His energy and vitality inspired the other men, and no one could believe it was time for mi-matin when ten o'clock chimed out from the church behind the cliffs. But when the spell of work was broken, the men found they were very hungry, and fell upon the bread and butter,

little till four o'clock, when the housekeeper and the maids from Orvillière appeared, bringing each her large basket of mirelevée. This meant tea and currant cake, and probably cider. A halt was called. Once more the men grouped themselves into unconscious picturesquesness, and ate and drank to their fill. But at this al fresco meal a delightful air of familiarity and coquetry made itself felt by the presence of the rosy maidens from Orvillière; above all by the appearance of Blaisette Simon, who brought down a special batch of cakes, made and co

ed many times to send hungry, lingering looks at the field, above all at the prominent figure of Le Mierre. When Blaisette came, in the glory of a new gown and a pink sunbonnet, it seemed to Ellenor that life was harder than she could bear, for she was shut out from the Grand Plough. Her father had not been asked t

it to a hook in the breakwater and climbed up beside her. Her father was her friend, her refuge, her comfort; and something of his influence over her seemed to belong to the other man, his mate. Perrin Corbet was tall and angular, w

plendid action of Le Mierre, as, once more, he led the line of animals: but Ellenor walked on and never even glanced to see if Blaisette were still in the fiel

they reached the men and explained, all speaking at once, that they were going to see La Grand' Querrue.

f the group, "we are waiting for little Marie, s

ld is seen whenever a woman has a baby in her arms, and though Perrin could not have explained the thrill that swept over him, he knew in his heart that the sight of the two together moved him to an intense longing, an intense reverence. In his nature was none of the coarse fibre which so often marks the men whose lives are all action, danger and privation. When Ellenor kissed little Marie and put her down wi

vraic fire; Ellenor seated in a low chair, beside her a cradle; on her lap, a little baby, with wide sad eyes l

left those children-and what with you as glum as a fis

n exerted himself to chat and laugh. Then, all at

each day; and so bad tempered. You know she never gets on with her mother, poor gir

was s

you properly?"

I would not blame her. She always looks so sad, and, as you say,

t her to tell me. Well, this is your

er left the cottage, but she made it a palace of happiness to her son. Her lovely placid old face brooded over his every want and his every look. She lived the life of a saint and had brou

long beside the jonquière in the corner of the hearth: and every night

the father she loved? Ah, if one could see right through her dark eyes into her sorrowful hea

terious silence held the man in awe. It was as though One stood

ation. At last, at last, she was at the top of the valley which sloped to the farm! As she ran down hill, she could hear the sound of music and the ring of laughter. The Grand Plough supper, the finale of the day's work and feasting, was evidently in full swing. When she reached the ho

on, dressed in a quaint muslin gown which accentuated her childlike and piquante beauty. Her father, easy-going Mess' Simon, looked on smilingly at the orgie around him, and seemed not in the least disturbed when

passionately to be in the place of Blaisette. Not in the least knowing what she did, she opened the house door and entered the kitchen. At first s

he whispered, "and it seems it's true s

rful of disclosures. He rose unsteadi

ried, "how dare you com

mad impulse had moved her to a mad act. But this was like death to her, this harsh voice, this volley of rough words. When she did no

self, she never drea

ing the hill swiftly, "it's every bit her fault;