The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1905-01-13

mo fear OF that" replied Jacques
confidently. as he tied the calf fas
and started on his three leagues jour
ney from Etricourt for St Quentin
Arrived at the city he went straight e
the butcher Vatin. delivered the cali
and received the stipulated sixty
francs AS he drove away he noticed
that the clock indicated A quarter &c
nine. and said TO himself that he would
time. He drove slowly along the street
/ pecrng into the shop windows. One
which bore the sign. "Vinsse Soeurs
Modistcs," attracted him so strongly
! that he drew up 10 the curb and halted
10 east his eyes on the maryels dis
| played In the window. There were
hats and bOnnets Of wonderful com,
| plcxity and riotOus cOlors, and ribbon,
of rich velvet ana glittering satin.
What especially aroused his admira.
! ton was a big straw hat. patriotically
adorned with bluc-bottles. daisies and
poppics and broad green ribbons. He
dismOunted and stood before the win
dow. with his eyes and mouth wide
open. Some day. he thought. he might
be able TO buy such a hat for Ciemen-
tine. His mouth expanded into a broad
smile as he coniured up the picture OF
her pretty face framed in this work Of
art, and thought how pleased she
would be to receive such gift from
him. Clementinc and he were cm-
plOyed on the same farm. and, II not
yet declared lovers, were in a fair way
of becoming such His reyery was
rudely interrupted by the pressure Of
heavy hand on his shoulder. He
turned and saw his old COmradc. 10
phyrin. and several other people men
and women who had stopped and were
laughing at his astonishment
II didn't know you with that thing
on said Jacques. pointing to the 9th
er's high hat. Then his eyes wandered
over the company. The men wore
high hats and frock coats or dress
coats Of various vintageS; the women
had on silk dresses and shawls en-
brodcred with flowers.
One girl was dressed entirely in
white and wore wreath Of orange
blossoms and volumnous veil
"A wedding party?" said Jacques.
Yes. and | am the bridegroom" :"
responded Zephyrin with laugh.
Come with us. We are going to lunch
con" jacques declined. saying that
he must be home by noon. Zcphyrin
insisted
But can't go like this" said
Jacques, pointing TO his rough blouse
and great shoes. Then the bridegroom
became angry. But still Jacques shook
his head. Then the bride, plump and
vivaCious little woman, told her hus.
band that he ought not to insist. as
the gentleman evidently did not find
the society to his liking This decided
jacques and he accepted the invita-
ton. The bridal procession resumed
Its march, Jacques following with his
cart On the way Zephyrin told his
mother-in-law why he had insisted on
Jacques Joining them.
The cart will be handy IL any OF us
get tired" The bridegroom's happy
idea was received with approval by
all.
The stars were shining It was mid
night No sound was heard in the
deserted street except the noisy rafting
OF the cart over the stones. Jacques
steered a devious course out OF the
city. He muttered ,nCoherent words.
the most frequent Of which were: The
calfr' Then he felt his leather purse
and swore. Only 20 of the so francs
remained He was quite sure. for
he had counted the money several
times by the light of his lantern. 1t
was an easy sum TO count, for the purse
contained just one 20-franc Piece.
This is how IL came about. After
luncheon he had been for going home
A few hours late. what was that? He
could explain 1t and the master was
good-humored. But taking whole
day OF was n very different matter
He must so home. His companions
urged him to stay. the ladies employed
their most seductive arts. and finally
the bridegroom brought forward 4
very plausible argument. The party
was going out 10 Estrees on the Etri
court road. To accompany IL To tha'
point would not delay Jacques greatly
and then he could 20 OF his way
Jacques yielded. At Estrees they found
a village festival in progress
The wine had circulated freely n
luncheon and on the way out. 50 tha
! Jacques was in no humor to refuse Il
dance quadrille. After the quadrill,
came a polka. which lady OF hi
party begged him to dance with her
Then he danced 4 waltz and NOR,
waltzes and more polkaS. Dancing 4
thirsty work aud after each dance tn
thirst was lllayed-partially JacQue
forgot all about going home and spen
the whole day az Estrecs. lie ais
spent. very soon. what lit;le money b
had of his own. anu then he began o
his masters. The money went rapidly
At sunset the wedding party packed Il
self into the cart and returned 90 IN
city. laughing and singing Jacque
drew a long sigh as he passed the mi
liners shop and saw the gorgeous boz
net again Yielding to sudden in
pulse. he stopped the horse. hande
the reius to the bridegroom and rushe
into the shop. When he came out h
hsd bis manor MARCEL ia his hands au