The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-08-17
CHAPTER TX.
AN ANXIOUS MOMENT.

I 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 snowy cloth
which bore testimony to the good house
wifery and industry of more than one
generation. for in those good old times
women spun the thread for their owe
household linen, and the poorest girl in
thecommune when she married brought
with her q 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
more than ordinarily rich and appetiz
ing. The best cured and finest ham had
disappeared from its hook and now
dubbed peacefully in the biggest sauce
pan Les Bons Amis could furnish. The
farmyard had been denuded OF its
sayoriest 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 frontage la creme. the perfun:ed
melons. the piles of green and purple
figs. and such saladi
And then the wine. NJ Dumont was
not the man to stint the measure on such
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 ltaly-and TO crown the feas,
certain cobwebbed bottles Of 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 signboard with its announce.
ment that '.lci on vcnd lie Bon Vim" 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
TO spotless wilderness. while Pierre, the
old head waiter, who had grown gray in
the service OF NJ. Dumont. hustled about
experimenting the proceedings Of his
subordinates 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.
"Depechez done mes enfants. nothing
win ever be ready II 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 IL the
place Is numbered up like this?"
Turning sharp round on one OF the
walters coming out Of the caye with a
basket of wine
What are you doing there. Louis?
Here. give me that~
Please. sir. I'm doing nothing. sir!"
"Nothingl 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 oou-
quets ready. Hurry now; NJ Germenil
and Mile. Clementine viii be here before
we know where we are"
just then nj. Dumont, followed by
Charles, came ont of the house.
M. Dumont wore his usual serene and
benevolent expression, but the young
mans face was sad and troubled.
We'll. Pierre" said III. Dumont,
show are our preparations getting on;
You must hestir yourselves"
Don't be afraid. not bourgeois. will
answer for everything, though indeed
If were not hero to look after theselaz,
fellows the guests would come and fine
nothing ready"
We'll. well. Pierre, rely on You ant
have given youfull powers. All | say is
don'tspare anything; let there be plent,
of everything; above all, wine. Nothin,
like that to make the violins throw off
lively measure. and want nothing her
today but love and pleasure. En-
Charles. what do you sayf''
''I'll be bound he agrees with that.
said Pierre.
.'Dearl deari to think that you werc
little baby in arms when | knew yol
first. and here you are going to be mar
ried and have babies OF your OVID for oil
Pierre to nurse.
Charles heaved o deep sigh.
'tSaperlottei What sighi And yoI
Just about to be married TO the girl o
your heart--and such face. Why. yol
look as melancholy as If you had been
drawn in the conscription this morning
Wbass the matter. u. Clrarleag