The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-18
IN SABINE.
By KATE CHOPIN.


even if it was rude log cabin with a
mud chimney at one end, was a very
gratifying one to Gregoire
He had come out of Natchitoches
parish and had been riding great part
e the day through the big lonesome
urish Of Sabine He was not following
he regular Texas road; but, led by his
cratic fancy, was pushing toward the
Sabine river by circuitous paths througj
the rolling pine forests.
AS he approached the cabin in the
clearing he discovered behind palisade
of pine saplings an old negro man chop
ping wood.
"Howdy, uncle?" called out the
young fellow, refining his horse. The
negro looked up in blank amazcment at
so unexpectedan apparition, but he only
answered, "How you do, subj" accom-
panying his speech by series of polite
mods.
"Who lives yereP"
Hits Mas Bud Aiken " at live
heah. sub. l."
"Well, if Mr.. Bud Aiken kin affo ad
to hire a man to chop his wood, reckon
he won't grudge me bite o. supra an
a couple hours res ON his gall'ry. Wat
you say, ole MANI"
II say dit Mas Bud Aiken don't
hires me to chop 'ood. Eff don't chop
dis heah, his wife got hit to do. Dat wy
l chops God, sub. Go right long in,
sub. You G inc fine Mas Bud some 'eres
roun eff he amt drunk an gone to bed. /"
Gregoire, glad to stretch his legs, dis
mounted and led his horse into the small
inclosure which surrounded the cabin.
An unkempt, vicious looking little Texas
pony stopped nibbling the stubblo there
to lock maliciously at him and his fine,
sleek horse as they passed by. Back of
the hut, and running plumb up against
the pine wood, was small ragged speci-
men of a cotton field.
Gregoire was rather understood, with
square, we'll knit figure, upon which
his clothes sat well and easily. His cor
duroy trousers were thrust into the legs
of his boots. He wore blue flannel
shirt. His coat was thrown across the
saddle. In his keen black eyes had come
puzzled expression, and he tuSged
thoughtfully at the brown mustache
He was trying to recall when and
under what circumstances he had before
heard the name of Bud Aiken. But Bud
Aiken himself saved Gregoire the trou-
BILE of further speculation OH the sub
ject. He appeared suddenly i'll the small
doorway, which his big body quite
filled, and then Gregoire remembered.
This was the disreputable so called
Texan who year ago had run away
with and married Baptiste Choupic' s
pretty daughter, Title Refine. yonder on
bayou Pierre in Natchitoches parish. A
vivid picture of the girl as he rcmcm-
bered her appeared to him. Her trim.
rounded figure; her piquant face, with
the saucy, black coquettish eyes; her
little exacting, imperious ways that had
obtained for her the nickname Of Title
Refine, Little Queen. Gregoire had
known her at the 'Cadian balls that he
sometimes had the hardihood to at
tend.
These pleasing recollections of 'Tite
Refine lent a warmth that might other
wise have been lacking to Gregoire s
manner, when he greeted her husband
81 hope fine you well, Mr.. Aiken, ;"
he exclaimed cordially as he approached
and extended his hand.
"You find me id porely, sub but
you've got the better O. me, eff / may so
say" He was a big, good looking brute
with straw colored Horseshoe" mus
tache quite concealing his mouth and a
several days growth of stubble OH his
rugged face. He was fond of reiterating
that women's admiration had wrecked
his life, quite forgetting to mention the
early and sustained influence Of "Pike' s
Magnolia" and other brands, and quite
ignoring certain Unborn propensities
capable Of wrecking unaided any ordi-
nary existence. He had been lying down
and looked frouzy and half asleep.
''Ef may so say, you've got the bet
ter O. me, Mr-er"-
'Santien-Gregoire Santien. l have
the pleasure O. KNOWN the lady you
married, sub, an think met you befo'
somewhere O. MOTHER" Gregoiro added
vaguely.
"Oh," drawled Aiken, waking up,
lone O. them Red river SanchunsW And
his face frightened at the prospect be-
fore him of enjoying the society of one
of the Santien boys. "Mortimerr" he
called in ringing chest tones worthy a
commander at the head of his troops.
The negro had rested his AK and appear
ed to be listening to their talk, though
he was too far to hear what they said.
Mortimer, come along here an take
my frien, Mr.. Sanchun's, boss. Git a
move thar, git novel; Then, turning
toward the entrance of the cabin, he
called back through the open door,
''Rain" twas his way of pronouncing
lite Reine's name. "Rainr he cried
again peremptorily, and, turning to
Gregoire, "She's tendin to some or 9TH
er housekeepin truck. " 'Tite Refine was
back in the yard feeding the solitary pig
which they owned, and which Aiken
had mysteriously driven up few days
before, saying he had bought it at
Nanny.