The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-25
CHAPTER XI.
AN UNFORESEEN DELAY.

AN UNFORESEEN DELAY.
Meanwhile things had been progress
ing merrily indoors. M. Dumont at the
head of the table, with his son and future
daughter-in-law at his right and left
hand and M. Germenil facing him, had
pressed his good fare on his guests with
hearty country hospitality, and they had
done justice to ii in way that delighted
the old cuisiniere, Margot, who was rs
much part Of Les Bons Amis as the
walls themselves and who had insisted
ON carrying one or two Of the principal
dishes herself, setting them down before
her master with "Voilaw full Of mean
ing, which seemed to say, BEAT that if
you can," while her complacent smile
showed she was sure Of her position as
the best cook IN all the country round.
The good wine circulated freely--healths
were drunk and old stories retold, and
full Of high good humor and content they
adjourned to the red damask salon to
witness the signing Of the contract.
Here, however, an unexpected hitch
occurred. At the last moment 1t was
discovered that the notaire, who had
come from the neighboring town of st.
Maurice, some leagues away, and was
the guest Of his cousin, the cure at the
presbytere, had forgotten an essential
paper, without which the necessary for
malities could not be completed. There
was great dismay at this hitch in tho
proceedings, and much wrath was poured
out on the head Of the notary's clerk, to
whom the forgetfulness was attributed
"a SQUIRE douleur is indispensable on
such occasions. Charles was in despair,
poor little Clementine almost in tears
for she had overheard the whispers Of
. couple Of old conmeres, who, with
many shakes Of the head and sighs, de-
cided that such delays were very un--
lucky, and they wouldn't be surprised
at anything that might happen. Per-
haps there would be no wedding at all,
etc.
However, there was nothing for 1t but
to make the best Of it. So it was decided
that the notary's clerk should start at
once, and taking the carriole should
make all speed to st. Maurice, procure
the missing paper and return after a
short rest, so as to arrive at Les Bons
Amis by breakfast time. The contract
could then be signed at once and tho
wedding go on as already arranged.
The only person dissatisfied with this
arrangement was the poor clerk, who
was not remarkable for courage and did
not particularly relish the long, lonely
him and st. Maurice. Specially, as when
the stories were going round after din
ner, he had overheard the maire Of the
village, M. Riffaut, tell his neighbor
ut table that there was q report that
the notorious Robert Macaire had es-
caped from prison at Lyons. Of course
Lyons was q long way of, but all the
same the little clerk did not feel at all
comfortable. However it was settled
without his opinion being asked, and
Pierre was dispatched to see that the
carriole was harnessed without delay.
After little more conversation on the
all important subject, the company took
their departure, promising TO come in the
morning in good time, and bidding
Charles and Clementine keep up their
spirits. for after all there would not be
any real delay in the marriage, and the
contract could just as we'll be signed in
the morning, and the only i'll foreboding
ones being the two old commeres before
mentioned, who, calculating, OIL la pau
vrette, as they bid her goodby, exchanged
ut the same time looks more significant
than words.
Leaving Charles and Clementine to-
gether, M. Dumont and NJ Germenil
went down TO the gate Of the courtyard
with tho departing guests.
Having seen them all of, they turned
and walked slowly back across the court
yard toward the house.
We left Remond and his companion
seated at one side Of the tables. not be-
ing very anxious to attract attention. AS
they saw the two men approach they
slipped quietly into the shadow behind
tho raised stand on which the musicians
had been seated.
The air was still, and Remond's sharp
ears, accustomed TO listening, caught
fragment Of their conversation rs they
slowly passed at no great distance from
where be was concealed.
II wish," said Germenil, "that this de.
lay had not occurred. was anxious to
get the business finished tonight"
We'll" said Dumont, "the delay
urou't be long. Once asleep. the time will