Tazewell Republican. [volume] (Tazewell, Va.) 1892-1919, 1904-12-15


arose, Victorine arose, Michel bowed
over madsm's hand. II hope, me das I
see you we'll. madam, he said courteous
ly, though his voice trembled. Yes,
madam was very well. She thanked
him. And how was madam, bis mother?
He thanked her. Madam, his mother,
was in good health-ls bon sante. And
at last he might turn TO Vietorins, who
stood demursly waiting. The same for
NAL greeting and the state of his sisters
health-only this time the hand-clasp
was a bit tighter. He could not help
that. II was 50 good to feel those sup
pie fingers within his palm once more
Victorine was very we'll And you,
she asked, deIiciouhy. Madam covered
his Etammered reply with shrill order
to petit frere. Bidding him hurry from
the kitchen with q chair for Michel:
Porte la chaiss. cher. porte In chAise."
The chair came. They all took seats.
Petit frere offered his hand shyly to
Michel. VictorinS spoke kindly:
Francois caught big gopher yes
terday. Did you know"
mo; l didn't hear bout das," said
Micnell, and to the boy. Where you
catch heem?"
Down yondah, +" replied the lad, pride
of his catch lost In admiration OF the
yellow spotted tie.
bon jour, Michel. CONNIE ca var"
II was monsieur. He rung the young
mans hand, and to Francois, Porte la
chaise, cher. Porte Ia chaiss. Keep 20
seat, keep 20 seat! Well, I see your
pa yesterday. He teel me he goin' tuf-
pentlne his land. Yasf'
"Yas, das what he say"
We'll, l don know bout dRS. me-
They talked turpenune, pro and con.
Madam hustled to the kitchen and re-
turned presently with the coffee-pot.
followed by petit soeur with cups and
sugar. Each and all drank coffee.
Madam arose, she looked hard at mon
sieur. But monsieur talked on-a neigh
boris disaster being too tempting tot fore
go: can, l hear, me, he's goin' burn
coal now das storm blow down mos. his
trees"
"Yas, I meet lot Of young fellow go
In to his chopping little while ago"
'Why didn' you COZ" Murmured Vic
torine, asserting her rights. Michel
turned. "I was coming here" he said,
simply. And at last monsieur saw
madams signal.
Excuse moi" he said, hastily, II 80
feed my horse" 1t was indeed high feed
ing time for the dusk was deepening.
Michel looked after him gratefully.
''votre pere looks we'll. bsem." he said
to Victorine.
"Yas."
You glad to get homeY"
./"Yas, I'm right glad, me-"
With a rush OF glad courage he slipped |
from his chair to the ono left vacant by
little sister. I'm glad me. Sim like
you been gone long time, long time, yas
Sim more like six years den six mont"
'Torine laughed gailY. Was n. Mich
ell forgetting how TO countH 1t was
four mont she had been gone. But
Michell's unsteady fingers were laying |
q parcal in her lap, his unsteady voice |
was beseeching-"You tink msbbS you
wear dis sometime?"
'Torine undid the wrappings deity
oh, there was plenty Of light to see how
red it was and that it was cotton satin.
She paused Michel expecting little
cry of delight did not understand. How
was he to know that within four short
months culture had set It's claw in the
girls heart, harpy-like, defling for her
all the bright, cheap pleasures OF lifeY
"You DON like heemY" he taltsred.
"You won't wear heemP"
IT can wear red, me"
"Den geeve him here. go burn heem
op-"
mo, no; you shan. Das mine, you
geeve heem me-" And she thrust the
unlucky ruban rouge deep into her skirt
pocket. Michel was modified. Il bring
you some blue next time"
CONSERVATION seized Victorine. Only
too clearly she foresaw what be would
bring. Three inches wide and half cot
ton.
Mon ami" she said, softly, Il tell you
what piece of blue ribbon want you to
get for me-"
AN das?" he asked, eagerly.
"You know la maitresse dsecole go
ing give piece Of blue ribbon to who
ever stand up last next Friday"
"ITl get heem for you" Michel prom
ised rashly, eagerly. 1t was contest in
rithmetic-whoever stood up through
the first IL tables in multiplication.
Michel had intended to absent himself,
being bit shaky on the nine table; but
now he promised himself to study that
table every night. That 'Torine was only
Selling upon a chance to substitute tho
teachers taste for his. did not occur to
him. He thought that she wanted him
to win an honor for her and the thought
fred his blood-and his energy for study.
Friday evening, and little log school
house packed to bursting. Two boys
and a girl facing each other in the midst
Of the crowd. All that the eight table
had left standing.
mine times one?" began the teacher,
hoarse but patient. Michel sang out
the answer. eff get through this table,