The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1921-01-22
The Hope Of the De
Vaucouleurs.

I II : ~ AsAlOlNNIF ~ lii LII N n
Vaucouleurs.
Madame. de Vaucouleurs lifted joy
lolsly from one big room Ito another,
carefully placing the soft cushions
where they hid the most badly worn
places in the French velvet upholstery
of the rosewood chairs, moving a table
that 1t might cover one spot where the
carpet was worn through, and making
ia stool cover a second, drawing the
point-lace curtains into closer folds,
that the beautiful darns in them might
he less conspicuous, and adjusting the
shades so that they prevented the
suns garish finger from pointing out
the shabbiness of the once palatial
rooms. Afterwards she went to the
little garden before the house-the
only part of her spacious grounds that
did not look neglected. and gathered
an armfui Of pink and white roses.
With exquisite taste she arranged
them in an old, slightly cracked Sevres
vase, and a tall crystal pitcher which
had been one Of her mothers wedding
gifts.
AS she was placing the second bou-
quet on table in the drawing room a
sprightly dark-faced, little woman, far
more typically French in appearance
than Madame de Vaucouleurs, same
| into the room, tanning herself and
saying yivaciously::
THE front door was standing open,
$50 Il did not knock Oh. how lovely
your roses are, especially the white
ones. And Philippe loves roses. Sure.
! ~ heaven made this perfect day as a
setting. for his ome-coming! / fan
myself from force Of habit, but really
it's not at all hot this morning. I
could easily imagine that am at BIZ
| loxi instead of New Orleans late in
June, though it is
Madame de Vaucduleurs smiled. 81
am glad that it is a nice day. As you
say. Cousin Marie, everything every
thing lis perfect for Philippe's com.
| ing. And to think that at last he will
4 DC Stcy T-TtO
| Miss Lepeyres face was buried in
| the larger bouquet of roses and she
| made no reply, except to ask, a min
ute afterWard, as, she sank into big,
| com Portable chair, AT what time lis
his train due a
At ,two-ifteen Madame de Vancou-
leurs lost faith, in railroads and Gov
eminent ownership at the same mo-
| ment, about two years ago. But we
must let you have Philippe all to your
self today .t,s
i. Madame de Vaucouleurs laughed
again for sheer Joy. She had not been
so happy. in many years. Leave him
to me, Marie!.z.s Already the Bentons,
and Leverts, and Beauchards, and Jean
| Morreau have told me that they will
be here by thyeel I fear that 7 shall
not do much more than look at Philip
pc across the. room today-or. tomor-
| row, either. But even that-and he
will not go away any more"
| Every one loves him; that's the
trouble grumbled Miss Lepeyre, who
loved him only less than his mother
did. s. i can't imagine why" she add
ed, trying to look as if she meant what
she said.
''Nor I theresis. no reason Madame
! de Vaucouleurs rejoined merrily, and
| then went on, as she rearranged her
| flowers for the third time and raised
one ofsthe shades a little, Il told you,
didn't + that he graduated at the head
| of his class" .,'..
TWAS the fifth time in two days that
she had told Miss Lepeyre, but the
loyal little. cousin echoed her words
almost as enthusiastically if indeed
she were hearing the news for the
first time.
| 1s"At thed Head of his class! And it
was a big class, too. But knew that
| heswould.p
Madame de Naueouleurs sank into
a chair. at last, as if she we're a little
weary despite her happiness, and for
a few moments she gazed meditatively
lat a portrait Of her husband which
hung low over the mantle When she
began to talk She was far more COM
lmunicative than was her wont, and
much of what she said was revela-
| ton even to Miss Lepeyre, inimate
friend though she had always been to
all the De Naucouleurs. fs 1924
i No one but Philippe and know
what struggle it has been to send
ihina to college and afterwards to give
him his engineering course. These
last years, when prices have advanced
so soutrageously, could not have af-
lsforded it at all If Philippe had not.
worked during his vacations and made
enough almost to pay his own way.
| He did so well that Mr.. Bennett OF
Bennett, LAGOS & Co.has offered him
La salary of four thousand dollars a.
year, and advancement if he deserves
it. And he will deserve ii; You know;
ithatshe will, Marie.
Miss Lepeyre made a quick little
gesture to emphasize her words. De
|sserve he'll deserve everything
He's, clever and ambitious, and hard
worker, for all his fun. 1T isn't only
you and who think so; Mr.. Bennett.
himself told me last summer that he
was the most promising yong fellow
he ever employed. And there's no
reason why Mr.. Bennett should have
any special good feeling for Philippe.
He is not one of the old set
"Of course, four thousand q year
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