The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-24

oned him to approach and desired him
to bring some refreshments.
Nothing clhe? said Pierre.
well, thinkI could eat Bit" said
Bertrand.
what Are you hungry" said his
tr1end.
Eyes. am; aren't you" Then turn
ing TO Pierre no asked what he had got
in tho house.
Whatever m'sieu DESIRES" ssid
Pierre.
"Lot us hear theme said Remond.
Pierre went over list Of dishss, 10
each one of which they found some oo-
lection, and finally ordered some bread
and cheese and pommes dc terre a phuile,
with bottle Of win ordinaire.
IF you would not mind, gentlemen"
said Pierre being served out hero--we
are rather crowded in the house today.
In fact" he went on, with an ai- Of much
Importance. "we are to have n wedding
tomorrow, and today is the dinner du
contrat."
$50 as you serve us at once, mon vicux,
we don't care where wo cat" said Re-
mond, and as Pierre disappeared he con-
tinued: 81 thought there was festive
air about the place. Well, little di-
version viii do us good, and l take quite
an interest in weddings."
"You!" remarked Bertrand. "Then
why don't you get married yourself?"
"Oh, that is an old story. was mar
ried long ago."
.''The devil you werei You have kept
it very close And 2zhere is your wif9?'
"Hang me If / lnowl Why, let me
see, it must be more than 20 years since
lost sight of her." e.E
"And have you never heard Of her
SINGER"
Never
swell, now, that's pity. A woman
is sometimes useful
"Not that one. You see, my friend,
she was one of those persons afflicted
with conscience and principles, which
/ found interfered with my plan Of life.
So," no went On, while cynical smile
deepened the cruel lines round his
mouth, "fnding myself one day in rather
a tight place, made the only use could
Of her and left her 20 occupy it."
Pierre, having brought what they had
ordered, placed it on the little table be-
fore them and then botook himself to
the gate to usher in the company who
began to arrive. All the principal peo-
pie of the village were there, including
the good cure. who was always ready to
take part in the innocent pleasures of
his flock
NJ. Dumont came out Of the house to
meet his guests. followed by M. Germe-
nil, Clementine and Charles, the latter
of course being the center Of interest.
Some of the elder people preferred to
go at once into the house; others re-
mained towatch the young people dance.
The violin players having arrived and
been installed by Pierre in q convenient
corner-with good supply of wine be-
side them--a country dance was soon in
full swing.
The strangers, having finished their
frugal meal, sat watching the dancers.
Presently, the couptry dance being fin
ished, Remond remarked TO his compan-
ion:
That's an uncommonly pretty girl
with the black eyes. I'll ask her to waltz
with me-"
WHAT" said tho other. "You will
venture?'
"Bahr replied Remond. "She is not a
gendarme in disguise and getting up
he walked nonchalantly across the emp
ty space which divided him from the
young girl, and with lourishing bow
requested the honor Of waltzing with
her.
The girl hesitated a moment, but his
grand air impressed her. She felt sure
he was not what he seemed--perhaps
some one Of noble birth who had met
with misfortune--so she timidly consent
ed. One thing was sure-she had never
before had a partner who danced SO
well. She was quite sorry when the
waltz was over, and leading her back 20
her place he left her with most elegant
bow.
He rejoined his companion. They
lighted their pipes and sauntered off to-
ward the other side of the house.
While the waltz was going on Charles
and Clementine had strolled down to the
gate and gone out on the road. They
rearpesrcd, Charles supporting poor
woman who seemed hardly able TO walk.
They placed her on a seat, and Clemen-
tine went to procure her some wine and
food, for .he seemed TO be exhaust
cd. She returned, carrying vino and
bre.d and followed by her father and
M. Dumont.
AS sooR as the woman was somewhat
revived by the wine they gave her she
thanked them for their kindness, of
which she said she stood in sore need, as
she had tasted nothing since tho pre-
vious morning. In answer to a question
of M. Dumont's she said she did not be-
long 70 that part Of the country and was
on her way to Chalon, where she hoped to
find employmcnt as domestic servant
You hnvc, then, relatives at Chalon,
or friends who will assist you"
"Alasl no, sir. know no one there.
Tho rood God will hclD me aud find mo