Polynesian., 1858-05-29

1t were better for her had she said with her gray
haired colonel, brave man and fond husband"
'' But It is not toU late," said very earnestly.
"Do take my advice-return at once and if NV
good offices can be of any use"
"Ah, mon anu, !" said NJ. Poirotte, with a bitter
smile, you know not what manner Of man that
ancient colonel is. tall gray warrior, who has
seen many battles, and borne scars, full Of pride
and trust in her. Ah," continued NJ Poirotte,
writhing uneasily in his chair, that part of the
business would like to shut out from my eyes. I
feel we shall owe many troubled dreams to that
gray colonel"
Goodness :" said, " if you really think this,
IN Heavens name, why not do as / say. tell YOU
again and again it is not too late.'
He shook his head. 'No, no; we must 90 on
as we have begun, though know well his grim
him."
" Hark ~ said, holding up my finger There
was Jngling sound as Of chains outside with
rattlng of wheels over stones, and postilion's
sharp Ola ola for some one to come forth. Then
came mixed voices and catter of glass as the door
was shut to.
"More travellers on the road, :" said NJ. Poirotte.
rising. 80 this weary night-jOurneying We
ought to be tired, God knows. Some way INV
head seems full of dismal fancies.''
Wedld not speak for some minutes, but sat look
ing ct the CRATE, each in q reverie of his own
Presently it seemed that there were sounds of foot
steps afar of, in the direction of the gallery, as
though some one were approaching. Through the
low aIehed door at the entrance came light, NOV
ing unsteadily, displaying against the wall long
dwindled shapes of the old crooked rails of the ba
lustrade. 1t fickered spasmodically, growing
brighter every instant; and presently appeared the
gGrc0n, going on before with lamp, after whom
walked tall figure, with gray moustache, and
wrapped in a military cloak. He passed solemnly
"a hIn0a in a,,1
gone in moment. l scarcely dared to breathe as
watched the mysterious passage. NJ. Poirotte
had sunk down into his chair and covered up his
face with his hands.
"MOn disu ~ said he at length Z" all, then, 10
lost How we'll l knew it would come to this
And now, to have this other sin upon my head.
What is to be dOnel
But" said /, "things are not come to that yet.
DE does not know that you are here; and if you
are gone early In the morning"
"Ah, what mas been his first inquiry, think youi
No, no, my good friend, leave me to myself It
were best. Leave me, | cOnjure you, and will
strive and think of something"
Seeing him resolved, did as he desired; and
taking in my hand a primitive lamp which was on
the table, made my way up the ancient staircase
to my room-a small apartment, gsrnished with
old-fashioned cabinets and bits Of furniture quite
black and polished with age
All was now quiet 10 the house; but in the next
room to me l could hear a ceaseless steady tramp,
as though some one were walking up and down;
no doubt the gray colonel, wrapped in his cloak,
and brooding sorrowfully upon his wrongs. 1t went
on monotonOusly, that heavy pacing, as though he
were keeping guard, until it grew, it were, into
lullaby, and sent me of in a profound and wear
led snmber. just as my eyes were closing, it
seemed to me that his door opened, and that his
footsteps died away far down the gallery.
Rriobt and frosty was the nu,t r,o-,;no .o
bright that NJ. PoirOtte and Monsieur le Colonel
had gone forth together shortly after sunrise.
They were old friends. garcon believed, laying out
breakfast very cheerily. The scenery was Ane
about AulnOy, and uoydgeurs came long distances
to see it. And madamel Madame was still in
her chamber, too tired he suspected to 90 forward
By the way, did l know that the early diligence
would come by in about two honrs, at, say twelve
O'Clock! 1t was strange, certainly, that messieurs
had not returned from their walk.
Not quite SO strange did it appear to me, who,
to say the truth, was filled with heavy foreboding.
Some way was interested in the brave old officer,
and could not shut out from myself that mysteri-
vision of his passage across the gallery, with
the light playing on his forehead and gray NOUS
tache. Even when / heard the sound of wheels
and the clank of chains outside at that late hour,
felt sort of presentiment, though some syeng-
ing spirit had arrived. Not much relish for break
fast had that morning.
hH nOuE pdSccu away. bheu an uouE, uuoAS
as I was looking down the road-for the twentieth
time perhsps-I saw horseman spurring hard to-
wards the inn-door. He pulled up quickly and
produced letter from NJ. le Colonel, directed to
madame. NJ. le Colonel himself would arrive
about noon. He had come straight from a small
town some ten miles further on, outside which
there had been murderous duel sans tEn1oins. N.
.Poirotte was at that moment lying under the tree
beside the brook quite stiff and stark being pierre
ed through by NJ. le Colonel's sword.
As he spoke there was to be seen a cloud of dust
at the corner of the road and familiar jingling
sound, mingled with winding of horns, fell upon
our ears. 1t was the great diligence coming over
the hill. The little children came running from
the roadsides, the women stood forth at the cot
tage doors to see it halt and change horses, and
mine host and his followers busy getting ready
anticipated pstites and other reflection Place
found for me inside the huge mountain; and
in a few moments the horn was winding eheerlly,
and was rolling along the rough high-rOad, hav-
ing left far behind madame, sitting guiltily in
an upper chamber of the Ardent Conscript inn,
with no company beyond her letter, with black des-
pair in her heart, and waiting judgment at the
hands of her offended husband.