The Washington times., 1936-01-07

Madame Dubois came out, wip-
ing dark, workworn hands on her
dingy gingham apron. Even in
this heat she wore a thin, gray
sweater, and the inevitable shawl,
Q black silk one today, was tied
over her untidy gray hair and
knotted under her chin. Many
petticoats tapped around her car
pet-Slippered feet.
Christie followed her across the
hard Suln.baked yard; picking her
way, which Madame DUBOIS did
not. Two Plymouth Rock hens
and q turkey gobbler joined the
procession, and the big. yellow
dogs brought up the rear.
They passed through the cow
shed and into the cold, dugout
cellar, where the milk was kept.
"How much you want? Take
plentee-it just waste. My man,
he don't care what mapping"
She made q quick motion as Of
draining q glass. land my boy,
Gene, Is gone-lef' me with no
help, only two drunk man"
From the other side Of the eel
lar, beyond the plastered parti-
ton, came the muffled chorus Of
o French drinking song, aud the
thump, thump, thump Of someone
beating time with a heavy shoe.
Madame Dubois sighed and
shifted, and the tears that were
never long absent from her faded
blue eyes. coursed down the fur
rows Of her sunken cheeks.
Quick tears Of sympathy stood
in ChriStie's eyes. But they weren't
jutS for poor Madame DUBOIS who
wept today because Pete was drunk
and Gene wasn't here to help her
with the butter, and yesterday for
the little Leontine who died 20
years ago on the steamer that
brought them from that belle
France. She wept for Gene who
loved life and laughter and fun,
and had q father who drank and a
mother who mourned. and for
herself, because he hadn't come
home.
"Gene went on q fishing trip
didn't he. Madame Dubois?"
"Oh, he don't catch anyt'in
Maybe fived six trout. Pouf! You
want some butter, too?"
mo, I don't think so. Just the
cream. Twas Just wondering. Isn't
it about time for him to be coming
back? I thought he said he'd be
back today before yesterday. So
I was just wondering n-well! He
ought to be back!"
Madame Dubois sighed again.
''You got a bottle for the cream?"
I'm afraid I forgot 1t. It does
seem funny that he didn't get
back though, doesn't it?"
HE got back! Sure, he got
CHAPTER VII
They were back in the glare of
the yard now, the cool cellar was
closed behind them.
But I thought you said he was
gone!"
Madame Dubois looked at the
laxative little Cooper girl, and
reused herself from her own mel,
ancholy thoughts. "He come home
from the mount'in', and he go
away to Sacrament'-Now you
run long, I got plentee work to
dol"
Christie stood stock still in the
glazing sun. ITO Sacramento
Did you say he went to Sacra.
Tnento? What for?"
The tired old woman shook her
head sadly. These American chill
dren who ask questions! What
you wear that shawl for, Madame
Dubois? Why you keep the little
cows away from their mamas?
Why can't Adrienne come out and
play? And now-why did Gene
60 to Sacramento? e
"Sure, he 90 to work, what you
t'ink?"
And she went inside and shut
the screen door.
Next morning q letter came
from him. Christie took it UP tt
her room, to read. Before she tore
it open she laid the envelope next
to her cheek, knelt by her bee
= waiting for the first dizzy excite
ment to pass. Her face was fiery
red, her whole body was shaking
Being in love seemed to have
something to do with getting sicA
to your stomach.
The letter wasn't very long. Just
two sheets Of white, ruled paper
"Dear Christie
Well, you will be surprised tt
Dee I back IN civilization. M