The Irish standard., 1904-11-12
LeRuban ROUGE
BY F. H. Ian CASTER
Copyright, 1904, by Daily Story Pub. Coz

Copyright, 1901. by Daily Story Pub. Coz
A LORS QUOI, qu'est-ce qui vous
~ 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 bakeu the cake; petit soeur
had swept the yard; petit frere had
caught a gopher for the sumbo. Alors!
and yet one other had done his part
toward the welcoming Michell he had
bought the red ribbon-yards Of it-so
bright, so rich, so shiney. LIE ruban
rougei He spread it upon the bed that
it might be ever before his eyes while
he dressed-brillianta as badge OF cour-
age: "Ders tree yard, vas. She's two
inch wide" Michelfs 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 russet leather belt had been saved
against her return. His mother and
sister looked on in admiration as he
stood tightening his saddle eirths 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, II
get das shirt just stiff enough. La
maitresse d'ecole say one spoonful to
one cup. l 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. A steady ope, easy and swift,
up hill and down, over dry epads and
wet, and as she loped her masters heart
Hoped with her.
i looking after him, such a picture of
eager young manhood he made
1nadam's heart misgaye her 81 wish
to know" she said half to herself. 81
wish to know, me eef Vctorine is change
moch."
Michell's heart was troubled with no
misgiving. LIE 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! 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
tota 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
he.greeting heartily. They were think
ingsof 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
muhed toe: toe of the little mares hoofs
on the road. And all he heard ran in to
q refrain of one dear name:
Ah there she was on the gallerie-all
In white and q rose-a white rpse-ip
.herahair. .Des diffent." he muttered.
"shel use to like the red rose best" His
hand shock SO he could scarce fasten
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. Il hope me das I
see you we'll, madam" he said courteous
ly, though his voice trembled. Yes,
madam was very we'll She thanked
him. And how was madam, his mother?
He thanked her. Madam, his mother,
was in good health7Ala bon ,sante.I And
at last he might turn to Victorine, who
stood demurely waiting. The same for
+ NAL greeting and the state of his sisters
ihealth--only' this time the hand-clasp
was a bit tighter. He could not helm
that. 1t was so good to feel those SUM-
jple fingers within his pa1mt once more.
;Victorine' was very we'll: ~"Ard YOU"
she asked. I'd eliciously. Madam covered
his stammered reply with shrill order
TO petit frere. Bidding him hurry from
the Kitchen with chair for Mitchell:
s''Porte la chaise, cher porte la chaise|'
sThel chair came. y They all took sehts.
s Retl6 frere4 offered his hand shyly to
Michel. victorine spoke kindly
tancolslcaught a big gopher yeb.
,terday-. Did you know?"' a..
mo; didn't hear bout das," said
Mialell, and to the. boy, Where you
catch heem?", - : I'm. s.,
Down yondah, replied the lad, pride
iS of his catch lost in admiration of the
yellow spotted tie. 'ss 's@aae.-
* I'D Bon jour, Michel. CONNIE ca ya?'
!5Ylt was monsieur. He rung the young
L mans hand. and to Francois, Porte i,
q chaise, cher. Porte la chaise. Keep W
4 seats keep 20 seat! Well, see YOU
A spas yesterday. He teel me he goin' tur
5s pentine his land! Yas?'' ! y
Vas, das what he say"
We'll, 4 DON 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 ant
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 to fore
go: An, l hear, me, he's goin' burr
& coal now sdas storm blow down mos bill