The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-16

ilS uuVu. one nau already euDelllSHeu Iue
wiadow with flowers so that the ancient
dwelling seemed to have gone back to the
far away time of its youth. with its en-
brolderieS OF gold and of silk glistenlng IN
the beautiful sunshine of this festive day.
After the noon breakfast the activity in
creased in every direction, and the whole
Rue DIES Orfevres was now in excitement.
To avoid the great heat, the procession
would not move until o'clock, but after II
the town began to be decorated. Opposite
the Huberts, the silversmith dressed his
shop with draperies of an exquisite light
blue. bordered with silver fringe; while
the waxchandler, who was next to him,
made use of his window curtains of red cot
ton, which looked more brilliant than ever
in the broad light of day. At each house
there were different colors; a prodigality of
stutfs, everything that people owned, even
to rugs Of all descriptions, were blowing
about In the weary air of this hot summer
afternoon. The street now seemed clothed,
sparkling and almost trembling with gaiety,
as II changed iQto gallery of fete open to
the sky. All its inhabitants were rushing
to and fro, pushing against each other,
Speaking loud, as if in their own homes;
some OF them carrying their arms full of
objects, others climbing, driving nails, and
calling vociferously. In addition to all
this was the reposoir, or altar, that was
being prepared at the corner of the Grand
Rue, the arrangements for which called for
the services of all the women of the neigh
oorhood, who eagerly offered their vases
and candlesticks.
Angelique ran down to carry the two
candelabra, of the style of the empire,
which they had on the mantel-shelf of their
parlor. She had not taken moments rest
since tho early morning, but had shown no
signs OF fatigue, being. on the contrary
supported and carried above herself by her
great, inward happiness. And as she came
back from her errand, her hair blown all
about her face by the wind, Hubert began
to tease her as she seated herself to strip off
the leaves of the roses, and to put them in a
great basket.
"You could not do Eany more than YOU
have done were it your wedding day, my
dear. Is it, then, that you are really to be
married nowP'
But yesl oh, yes Why notp' she an
swered gaily.
Hubertine smiled in her turn.
while waiting, my daughter, since the
house is so satisfactorily arranged, the best
thing for us to do is to go upstairs and
dress
''In minute, mother Look at my full
basket"
She had finished taking the leaves from
the roses which she had reserved to throw
before Monseigneur The petals rained from
her slender fingers; the basket was run
ming over with its light, perfumed contents
Then, as she disappeared on the narrow
stairway of the tower, she said, while laugh
ing heartily
1--WE will be quick. / will make myself
beautiful as star"
The afternoon advanced. Now the few
erish movement in Beaumont rEglise was
Gained; peculiar air of expectation seemed
to fill the streets, which were all ready, and
where everyone spoke softly, in hushed
whispering voices. The heat had dimin-
ished, as the suns rays grew oblique, and
between the houses, SO closely pressed the
one against the other, there fell from the
pale sky only warm, fine shadow of gem
tie, serene nature. The air of meditation
was profound, as if the old town had be-
come simply a continuation of the cathe-
dral; the only sound of carriages that
could be heard came up from Beaumont la
Vile, the new town on the banks of the
Ligneul, where many of the factories were
not closed, as the proprietors disdained tax
ing part in this ancient religious ceremony.
Soon after o'clock, the great bell of the
northern tower, the one whose swinging
stirred the house of the Huberts, began to
ring; and 1T was at that very moment that
Hubertine>and Angelique reappeared. The
IL
trimmed with simple thread lace, but her
figure was SO slight and youthful in its deli
cate roundness that she looked as if she
were the sister of her adopted daughter.
Angelique wore her dress of white foulard
with its soft ruchings at the neck and
wrists, and nothing else; neither earrings
nor bracelets, only her bare wrists and
throat, soft in their satiny whiteness as
they came out from the delicate material,
;nbf aJ tho of A.. ~
BILE comb, put in place hastily, scarcely
held the curls Of her golden hair, which
was carelessly dressed. She was artless
and proud, of a most touching simplicity,
and indeed beautiful as star"
"Ahr' she said, ''the bell. That is to
show that Monseigneur has left his palace. -
The bell continued to sound loud and
clear in the great purity of the atmosphere.
The Huberts installed themselves at the
wide opened window of the first story, the
mother and daughter being in front, with
their elbows resting on the bar of support.
and the husband and father standing be-
hind them. These were their accustomed
places; they could not possibly have
sound better, as they would be the very first
to see the procession as it came from the
farther end of the church, without missing
oven single candle of the marching past.
Where is my basket" asked Angelique.
Hubert was ODilReu 10 take ana pass to
her the basket Of rose leaves, which she
held between her arms pressed against her
breast.
'Oh, that belll" she at last murmured.
cit seems as ifit would lull us to sleep!"
And still the waiting continued in the
little vibrating house, sonorous with the
musical movement; the street and the great
square waited, subdued by this great trem-
bling. whilst the .hangings on every side
blew about more quietly in the air of the
coming evening. The perfume of roses was
very sweet.
Another half-hour passed Then at the
same moment the two halves Of the portal
of Saint Agnes were opened, and they per-
celved the very depths of the church, dark
in reality, but dotted with little bright
spots from the tapers. First the bearer of
accompanied by the acolytes, each one of
Behind them, hurried along the Master Of
Ceremonies, the good Able Cornille, who
after having assured himself that every
thing was In perfect order in the street,
stopped under the porch, assisted moment
at the passing out, in order to be sure that
the places assigned 60 each section had been
rightly taken. The various societies of
laymen opened the march; charitable asso-
Citations, schools by rank OF seniority, and
numerous public organizations. There
were a great mny children, little girls, ali
in white, like brides little bare-headed boys,
with curly hair, dressed in their best like
princes. already looking in every direction
to find where their mothers were. A SPLEEN
did fellow, years Of age, walked by him
self in the middle clad like st John the