The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1904-11-10
|LeRuban Rouge
By F. H. LANCAST e r
Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. co.,

A LORS QUOI, Qu'est-ce qui Vous
u voulez? Victorine had been away
to school, now she was coming home.
Monsieur, her father, had hitched the
fat horse to the high wagon and gone
to the ferry to meet her; madam, her
mother, had baked the cake; petit soeur
had swept the yard; petit frere had
caught gopher for the gumbo. Alors!
and yet one other had done his part
toward the welcoming. Michel, he had
bought the red ribbon-yards of it-so
bright, so rich, so shiney. LIE ruban
rouge! He spread it upon the bed that
it might be ever before his eyes while
he dressed-brilliant as badge Of cour-
age: "Ders tree yard, vas. She's two
inch vide" Michells fingers trembled
as he knotted his tie-blue and green
with big yellow spots. ST Jolie, but he
had foreborne to wear it until she came
home.
So it was with the new straw hat and
the tan shoes-even the natty linen suit
and russell leather belt had been saved
against her return. His mother and
sister looked on in admiration as he
stood tightening his saddle girths. A
red handkerchief peeped from one
pocket, a white one from another. None
Of them knew what it was that made
his breast pocket bulge so.
HE looks NICE" said the mother,
softly.
"Yas," replied the Oldest sister, 81
get das shirt just stiff enough. La
nnaitresse d'ecole say one spoonful to
one cup. write das down, me-" She
spoke with pardonable pride. They
waved their hands to Michell-"Bon
jour, bon jour" He drew up the reins;
one brand new tan described an arc
over the mares back, he sat erect and
waved his hat-"Bon jour ma mere; bon
Jour, mes soeurs." The little bay sprang
at once into the gait at which he always
rode her steady lope, easy and swift,
up hill and down. over dry Soads and
wet and as she loped her masters heart
Hoped with her.
Looking after him, such a picture Of
eager young manhood he made
madam's heart misgave her. II wish
to know" she said half to herself, 81
wish to know, me eef Victorine is change
mocb."
M'chell's heart was troubled with no
misS!sing. LIE ruban rouge lay warm
to IL. and glad anticipation thrilled him
through and through. What an after
noon it was and how the birds sang in
the bushes-'"Torine, 'Torine." He
barred his head to an old charcoal burner,
CRIME to the roots of his white hair and
through It; he shouted hearty greeting
to a crowd Of young fellows going to a
chopping-their horses trotting four
abreast, the axes across their shoulders
glittering in the sun; they gave back
the greeting heartily. They were think
ing of annisett, and dancing, and coffee.
and girls. he-why what could he think
Of with heart beating inside Of him
like that. He heard the creak of his
saddle, the Jingle of the bits and the
muffled toe, toe of the little mares hoofs
on the road. And all he heard ran in to
refrain of one dear name.
All. there she was on the gallerie-all
in white and a rosa white rose-in
her hair. "Des diffent," he muttered,
"she use to like the red rose best" His
the little mares bride to the picket, half
way up the walk he raised his hat, but he
strobe up the steps slowly. Madam
arose, Victorine arose, Michel bowed
over madam's hand. 81 hope, me das
see you well, madam" he said courteous
ly, though his voice trembled. Yes,
madam was very well. She thanked
him. And how was madam, his mother?
He thanked her. Madam, his mother,
was in good health--le bon sante. And
at last he might turn to Victorine, who
stood demurely waiting. The same for
NAL greeting and the state Of his sisters
health-only this time the hand-clasp
was bit tighter. He could not HELM
that. 1t was SO good to feel those sup
pie fingers within hts palm once more.
Victorine was very we'll. "And you"
she asked, deliciously. Madam covered
his stammered reply with shrill order
to petit frere. Bidding him hurry from
the kitchen with a chair for Michel:
Porte la chaise, cher, porte la chaise. 4"
The chair came. They all took seats.
Petit frere offered his hand shyly to
Michel. Victorine spoke kindly:
Francois caught big gopher yes
terday. Did you known"
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"
It was monsieur. He rung the young
mans hand, and to Francois, Porte la
chaise, cher. Porte Ia ehaise. Keep 70
seat, keep 20 seat! Well, see your
pa yesterday. He teel me he goin' tur-
pentine his land. Yas?"
"Yas, das what he say"
well, I dom know bout das, me-"
They talked turpentine, 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 tofore-
60: "An,sI hear, me, he's goin' burn
coal now das storm blow down mos his
trees"