Cameron County press. [volume] (Emporium, Cameron County, Pa.) 1866-1922, 1904-11-10
LeRubanRouge
BY F. II. Lam STER



A LORS QUOI, quest-ce aui vous
"A voulez? Victorine had been away
10 school, now she was coming home,
Monsieur, her father, had hitched the
fat hCrSe to the high wagon and gone
TO the ferry to meet her; madam, her
mother. had bakcG'the cake; petit sOeur
lad swept the yard; petit frere had
caught a gopher for the sumbo 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! lie spread it upon the bed that
il might be ever before his eyes while
lie dressed-bri!liant as badge Of cour-
age: "Ders tree yard, yas. Shes two
inch wide" MichelI's fingers tremDlcd
as he knotted his tie-blue and green
with big yellow spots. 81 Jolie. but he
Lad foreborne to wear it until she came
home,
SO it was with the new straw hat and
the tan shnes-eyen the natty linen suit
and Tusset leather belt had been saved
against her return. His mother and
sister looked on In admiration as he
stood tightening mis- saddle girths. A
red handkerchief peeped from one
pocket, white ore from another None
of them knew what it was that maze
his breast pocket bulge so.
"He looks nice" said the mother,
softly.
"Yas" replied the Oldest sister, q
eet Gas shirt just stiff enough. La
maitresse decoie say one spoonful to
one cup. | write das down. me-" She
spoke with parGonable pride. They
waved their hands to Micheil--"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 ne always
rode her. A steady iope, easy and swift,
up hill and down, over dry roads and
vet, and as she loped her master heart
Topped with her
Looking after him, such a picture of
eager young manhood he made
maGams heart misgave her. "I wish
To know" she said half to herself, 81
wish to know, me eef Victorine is change
nuch"
MiCheIl's heart was troubled with no
misgiriug. Le ruban rouge lay warm
TO it. and glad anticipation thrilled him
through and through. What an after
noon it was and how the birds sang in
the uSheS-"Torinc. 'Torlne" 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 crowd of young fellows going to a
"hopping-thei horses trotting four
abreast the axes across their shoulders
GIittering 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 II a
mutfied toe, toe of the little mares hoofs
on the road, AAd all he heard ran in 10
refrain Of one dear name
All. there she was on the gaIieris-aU
IL white and a rose-a white rose--iu
her hair. "Des diGfeut," he muttered
she use to like the red rose best" His
hand shook SO he could scarce fasten
the little mares bride to the picket. half
way up the walk he raised his hat, hut he
strobe up the steps slowly. Madam
arose, Victorine arose. Michel bowed
over madam's hand. II hope, me Gas
sec you well, madam" he said courteous
y, though his voice tremDIed. Yes
madam was very well. She thanked
nd hf,,N
lie thanl'ed her Madam. his mother
was in good heaith--ie bon sante. And
at last he might turn to Victoripe VINO
stood demurely waiting. The,s same for
nal greeting and the state of his sisters
heaith-only this time the hand-clasp
was bit tighter. He could rot helm
that It was so good to feet those sup-
pie fingers within his palrn once more
AictOfine was very well "And YOU"
she asked, Geiciously. Madam covered
his stammered reply with a sEriu order
TO petit frere. Bidding him hurry from
the Kitchen with chair for Michel.
Porte Ia chaise cher. porte IA chaise"
The chair came. They ali took seats
Petit frere offered his haud gnyly to
Michel Vlctoriue spoke kindly:
Francois caught a biz gopher yes
torGar Did you EroR?'
mo; ! didn't hear '1cut cas-" said
NicaeiI, and to the boy, Where you
natch heem?"
Down yohdah, rep'ieE the lad, pride
of his catch lost sn admiration ai the
yellow spotted tie
Bon jour, Michel. Cdmn1e ca var
wac tgg4,,soi7.