Waterbury evening Democrat., 1893-12-16
AN ANNIoUs MOMENT.

On the morning of the appointed day every one was on foot brave and early at Les Bons Amis, everything inside and outside was put in apple pie order, and by midday all was pretty well arranged. The best room was opened and aired, for there the contract was to be signed by and by In the kitchen, where every thing shone till you could see yourself reflected in the very plates and dishes, the long table was spread for the diner du contrat. covered with a snowy cloth, which bore testimony to the good house. wifery and industry of moro than one generation, for ill those good old times women spun the thread for their own household linen, and the poorest girl in the commune when she married brought with her little store of good homespun linen, the fruits of her own industry.
 Already the signs of good cheer to come pervaded the place. From a sim mering pot au feu there issued an odor moro than ordinarily rich and appetiz- ing. The best cured and finest ham had disappeared from its hook and now bubbled peacefully in the biggest sauce pan Les Bons Amis could furnish. The farmyard had been denuded of its savoriest ducks and plumpest chickens. which lay stuffed with chestnuts and favored with the piquant onion, ready for the spit, and what soupe ala cit rouille. such as the cuiSinere of Les Bons Amis was famed for making, to say nothing of the plats doux, the deli cate fromagc Ia creme, the perfumed melons. the piles of green and purple figs, and such a salad.
 And then the wine NJ. Dumont was not the man to stint the measure on such a day as this. There was the good win du pays-more than one fat straw caSed flask which had come across the noun tains from Italy-and to crown the feast certain cobwebbed bottles of a special vintage, which had been laid down in view of such an occasion as this and had quietly reposed for many long year in the farthest corner of the cave.
 Outside the house all was hustle and ex- citement. A fresh bush adorned the door, and the siglboard with its announce ment that lei on vend Ie Bon Yin" had been decorated with green wreath; the courtyard had been swept till not grain of dust appeared; the little tables and the benches under the tilleuls on the side facing the house had been scrubbed 10 spotless whiteueSS, while Pierre, the old head waiter, who had grown gray ill the service of M. Dumont, hustled about experimenting the proceedings of his subOrdnateS who were carrying the wine out of the cave, the entrance to which, as is usual in such places, is at the side of the house door.
 "Depechcz done mes enfants, nothing will ever be ready if you go on at this rate. Hurry now and get these things out of the way. Where do you think people are to dance by and by if the place is numbered up like this:''
 Turning sharp round on one of the walters coming out of the cave with a basket of wine:
 What are you doing there. Louis? Here. give me that"'
 Please, sir, I'm doing nothing. sir"
 Nothing! just so. nothing, but that's not what you are here for. Here you. Francois. Louis, put that plank there; now put the barrel on it-so: that will do Carry those bottles into the house and then go into the garden and get the bou- quets ready. Hurry now: NJ. Germenil and Mile. Clementine will be here before We know where We are"
 Just then M. Dumont, followed by Charles, came out of the house.
 NJ. Dumont wore his usual serene and benevolent expression, but the young mans face was sad and troubled.
 Well, Pierre" said NJ. Dumont. "how are our preparations getting on? You must bestir yourselves"
 Don't be afraid. not bourgeois, will answer for everything. though indeed if were not here to look after thesclazy fellows the guests would come and find nothing ready"
 Well, well, Pierre, rely on you and have given vou full powers. All I say is, don't spare anything: let there be plenty of everything: above all, wine. Nothing like that to make the violins throw off a lively measure. and want nothing here today but love and pleasure, Eh, Charles. what do you say"
 Til he bound he agrees with that. co said Pierre.
 Dear! dear, to think that you were 8 little baby in arms when I knew you first, and here yCu c-o going to be mar riel and havc Eal;.5 of yoar own for old Pierre to nursc.'
 
 ''Saperlotte. What a sigh! And you just about to be married to the girl of your keart-and such face! Why. you look as melancholy as if you had been drawn in the conscription this morning What the matter. M. Charles:"
 Nothing, my good Pierre, nothing"
 Why. Pierre" said NJ. Dumont. it is quite natural the lad should feel lit tie serious at the thought of all the re sponsibility he is taking on himself"
 "Of course, of course-only thought"--
 It seems to me" said NJ. Dumont, in terrupting him, that you are chatter ing here instead of seeing after what has to be done"
 Quite true, patron. So I'll be of. It would never do not to be ready when the company arrives"
 As soon as Pierre had disappeared in. doors NJ. Dumont passed his arm affec tionateiy through Charles, and they walked up and down the courtyard the younger man with gloomy, abstract ed air, while the elder watched him witt an expression of kindly affection.
 Come, come, my boy, cheer up lit tie. This will never do. What vii Clementine think if she finds you witt such long face on the eve of your wed ding day?'
 My wedding day. But will it be in deed my wedding day? When NJ. Ger I menil learns this fatal secret, will he stil be willing to give me his daughter That is the question I ask myself over and over, and dread to think what tn, answer may be-"
 My poor Charles! would have kep this knowledge from you if it had beer -..--:l,1o p,,+ # Is panacSoy-x- that bO+l