The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-06-16
EmiIe's Night ut The Ball.
Translated from the French for the Daily
News.


Translated rom the French for the Dali
News.
In q chamber quilted with satin
tefore q blazing fire which fashet
against the tall copper and irons, sa
little Emile one evening in Februar,
waiting for his mamma. 1t was eigh
o'clock. The maid had tried to pu
him to bed, but he had resisted will
all his might, holding fast to the arms
OF the big chair, and resolved not tt
90 to sleep until he had kissed hi.
mother. She told him that she would
be home for dinner. and she had moi
come. With O mournful look on hi:
little face he had sat alone at the
great dining-table, underneath tht
soft lamp, and looked at the outlet
which the femme de chamber told him
he must eat. But the little fellow
could not eat-not even the cakes at
desert-and had pushed away from
the table to bury himself again in the
easy-chair, his legs curled under
him and his eyes fixed anxiously
on the fire, which shot up the
chimney in long flames. Finally he
became interested in the occupation
of Hortense, the femme de chamber,
who was laying out a beautiful skirt
covered with embroidery and q mag
nificent corsage laced in front. What
did it all mean? He had never seen
his mother dressed like that. There
was something unusual going on. He
asked Hortense about it., but she
would not tell him anything, SO
struggling hard against sleepiness, he
made up his mind to find out in his
own way.
In all his trouble he did not think
of finding fault with his mother. 1t
was Hortense who was to blame.
Why should she want to send him to
bed, the wicked girl, when he had been
waiting so long to see his mamma?
Probably she had been detained at
the dress-maker's. He remembered
that she had taken him with her once
to q house where there were
kins dressed like ladies, and grand sa-
Ions with mirrors all over the walls;
and he had had to wait q long, long
time. He remembered, too, that they
had got home very late. So it was
the same to-day, he decided-hiS moth
er had gone 10 the dressmaker's.
When everything al ready on the
bed-the silken chenlises dainty with
lace, the white satin bodice, the finely
observation-disclosures came back
to the child with the fixed purpose of
putting him to sleep, Madame had
charged her to do SO before she should
return, as she was going to q ball with
her husband, and wished to spare her
baby hoy the grief of knowing that he
had been lett alone. But Emile had q
will Of his OWL, and do what she could
Hortense got always the same reply:
mo, no, | won't 90 to bed. | want to
see mamma" Then. fearing that she
might take him away by force, he tor
titled himsalf in the chair with all his
strength and against the expected at
tack. Force and persuasion alike fail
ed to shake his determination, and he
sat silent and unhappy listening to
the carriages which rumbled down the
Rue de Rome, hoping that one of
them would stop at the door, and
that he would at least see his MANI
ma. Finally .out OF all patience. Hor-
tense carried away the lamp. leaving
IN the dark, and the unsteady
light OF the fire threw weird shadows
about the which Fl ighCened him.
Still he did not give up.
Suddenly there was q noise in the
ante-chamber. She had come. He
recognized the musical and caressing
voice which always made him so hap
ply. "What," he heard her say to
Hortense, mot in bed yeti Oh, the
naughty boy" And then he saw her
before him. the bright eyes, brilliant
and laughing lips, which he knew
well. She saw him look over at the
grand toilet spread before them, SEEM
ing to ask mutely what 1t was all for,
the fine dress and the open corsage
which he had never seen before. But
MS mother made no reply, only kiss.
ing him kindly. Emile's anxiety grew
the keener and he st~raightway made
I'D his mind to follow his mother
and find out all about 1t for
"Teli me, mamma" he said slyIy,
81 Will 90 to bed, but you'll come with
ne, won't you? You will tuck me in
Ill tight and then L will go right to
"'There," said the mother delighted,
Il knew my little boy would be
"But what are you going to do,
mammal"
81, why l am going to bed after you
ust as l always do What makes you
ask that?"
And you are not going ont again?"
"Why, what an idea. Emile. Where
would | be going to at this time Of
.
"Que tn es gentille," said little
81 knew you would do what 1
wanted. Goodnight, mamma" but
lie knew in his heart that his mother
vas deceivIng him.
Sc. deceiving her in his turn. he al
owed himself to be undressed as she
and with curtains drawn he