Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1893-08-03
ICoNTlNUED.1
CHAPTER XI
An UNFOREsEEN DELAY.


Meanwhile things had been progress
ing merrily indoors. NJ. Dumont at the
head of the table, with his son and future
daughter-in-la at his right and left
hand and NJ. Germenil facing him, had
pressed his good fare on HIS guests with
hearty country hospitality, and they had
done Justice toit III IA way that delighted
the old Cuisiniere. Margot, who was as
much a part of Les BOns Alnis 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 "Noila.' full of mean
ing. which seemed to say, Beat that if
Won can" while her complaCent smile
showed she was sure of her position as
thc best cook in all the country round.
The good wine circulated froely-healths
we're drunk and old stories retold, and
rdll of high good humor and content they
slioulncl to the red damask salon to
witness the signing of the contract.
Here, however, an unexpected hitch
occurred. At the last moment it was
discovered that the notaire, who had
come from the ncighboIiLg town of st.
Maurice. some leagues away, and was
the guest of his cousin, the cure at the
1resbytere. had forgotten an essential
PAPER, without which the necessary for
ualitos coulH not be completed. There
vas great dismay at this hitch in the
proceedings and much wrath was poured
ont on the head of the nOtary's clerk, to
whoa the forgetfulness was attributed
Ill SQUIRE douleur is indispensable on
such occasions. Charles was in despair.
poor little Clementine almost in tears
for sue had overheard the whispers of
a couple Of old COmmcreS. who, with
many shakes Of the head and signs, de-
Cided that such delays were very D.
'ucky, and they wouldn't be surprised
ut anything th.t night happen. Per-
maps there would be no wedding at all,
etc
However there was nothing for il but
To make the best Of it. SO it was decided
that the notarys clerk should start at
once, and taking the carriole should
make all speed to st. Maurice, procure
the missing paper and return after
short rest, so As to arrive at Les BOns
Amis by breakfast time. The contract
could then be signed at once and the
wedding 20 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
drive in the dark which lay between
him and St. Maurice Specially, as when
the stories We're going round after din
ner, he had overheard the MARIE Of the
village. N. Riffaut, tell his neighbor
It table that there was a report that
the notorious Robert Macaire had es-
capped from prison at Lyons. OF course
Lyons was a long way off, 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
carrole was harnessed without delay.
After little more conversation on the
al important subject, the company took
their departure, promising to come in the
morning in good time, and bidding
Charles ard Clementine keep up their
spirits, for after all there would not be
any real delay in the marriage, and the
contract could just us well be signed in
the morning and the only i'll foreboding
ones being the two old commeres before
mentioned, who, circulating, oh. la pau
vrette, as they bid her goodby, exchanged
at the same time looks more significant
than words
Leaving Charles and Clementine TO-
gether, NJ. Dumont and NJ. Germenil
went down to the gate Of the courtyard
with the departing guests.
Having seen them all off, they turned
and walked slowly back across the court
yard toward the house.
We left Remond and his companion
seated at enc 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
the raised stand on which the musicians
had been seated.
The air was STILL and Remond's sharp
ears, accustomed to listening, caught a
fragment of their conversation as they
slowly passed at no great distance from
where he was concealed.