Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-01-10

The Chourineur had told the truth,
for he had horribly mutilated himself.
1t is impossible to imagine ANYTHING
more frightful than the visage of this
brlgand. His face was furTOwed in
every direction with deep livid sears ::
the corrosive action Of the vitr0I had
swollen his lips; the cartilage of the
nose having been cut, two immense
holes replaced the noStriIs; his clear
gray eyes, very small and very round,
sparkled with ferOcity; his forehead,
flat, like that of a tiger, was half COW
cred by a cap Of long, red fur; it
might have been called the monsters
name. The Maitre d'Ecole was not
less than six feet two or three inches
In height; his head, too large for his
body, was sunk down between his i'm
mense shoulders; he had long, muscu-
lar arms, with short, fat hands, hairy,
even to the ends Of his fingers; his
legs were short and slightly bent, but
the enormous calves announceda a force
'athletique.' AS for the expression of
ferOcity which shOne out Of this hide
GUS mask-as for the restless, sus-
piciOus, burning looks, like those of a
savage beast, we cannot describe them.
The woman who accompanied him
was old; she was decentIy clad in a
red and black tartan plaid, and wore
a white hat. RodoIpbe, seeing her
profile, her green and round eye, her
crooked nose, her thin lips, her eX-
tending chin, her wicked and cunning
physiOgnomy, thought OF the descrip-
ton of La Chouette. He was about
to mentionit to Maria, when he saw her
turn pale; she seemed to
look with intense interest at the com
panion Of the Maitre d'Ecole. a
length, seizing the arm Of RodOlphe
with a trembling hand. she said to him.
in low voice, La Chouette-my God
La Chouette-La Borgnesse = At
this moment the Maitre d'Ecole, eX-
changing some words in a low tone
with one of the inmates of the tavern.
advanced slowly to the table where
was seated with Maria and
the Chourineur, and, addressing Maria
in deep and hoarse voice, like the
growlings of tiger, All, say now, my
beauty, you must leave these two
jockeys and come with me- Maria
made no answer, but moved closer to
ROdolphe; her teeth were chattering
with fear AS for me, | shall not be
Jealous said the horrible Clouctte,
She had not yet recognised
in Maria the poor little .Pegriottc.
her victim.
'Ah! ah now, petty, don't YOU un-
derstand me? ? said the monster, adj
vancing. If you don't come, I'll put
out one of your eyes, and make YOU
look like La Chouette; a. for YOU.
man with the mustachcs. addressing
if you don't throw me that
little beauty over the table. III tear
My God my God defend me = cried
Maria to RodoIphe, joining her hand5 !;
then, rejecting that perhaps she was
going to expose him to too great dang
cr, she said to him in a low voice
No. no, don't stir, Mr.. ROdolphe; if
he approaches. I'll cry for help; and
for fear Of a noise that will attract the
police, the Ogresse will take my part
BE tranquil, my girl, said Rodolphe,
looking boldly at the Maitre d Ecole ::
YOU are at my side; you shall not
stir; and, as that hideouS animal there
makes YOU sick as well as myself am
going to throw him into the street.
'YOu.r said the Maitre d'Ecole. 1T
answered Rodolphe; and, nOtwith-
standing the efforts Of Maria, he rose
from the table The Maiue d d'Ecole
retreated one step at the terrible as
pect Of the physiOgnomy OF Rodolphe.
Maria and the ChourinGur were also
struck by the wicked and hardened eX-
preston of diabOlical rage which at
this moment contracted the noble
traits of their companion; he became
unrecognizable. In the contest with
the Ch0urineur, he had shown his con-
tempt and scOTn; but face to face with
the Maitre d'Ecole, he seemed posses
sed with a hatred the most ferocious ;
the pupils Of his eyes, strongly dilated,
sparkled with yivacity most savage.
Certain expressions have an irresiSti-
ble magnetic power, which terrifies
those under their influence, and which
they cannot avoid. Rodolphe was en-
dowed with this faculty, and the Maitre
.d'Ecole, trembling, made another re-
treating step; he no longer seemed to
rely upon his yaunted strength, but
sought, under his blouse, for the han
die of his poniard. A bloody murder
might thus have stained the floor of the
tavern, if La ChOuette had not seized
him by the arm, crying, 'Stopl stop
fourline( assassin), let me say a word
You shall eat those two cocks by-and
by-they sha'n't escape For some
time La Chouette had been regarding
Maria with attention; she appeared
as if endeavouring to recall something
to her recollection. At length she ne
longer had any doubt; she had recog
nised Maria. is it possible p said La
BOrgnesSe, clasping her hands witt
astonishment; :. this is La Pegriotte
the thief of my barley-sugar; where
in the world do you come from? doe.
the devil send you here 2 added she
shaking her fist at the young girl
Ah! you shall come again undel
my clutches; don't be afraid, | shan
pull any more teeth, but I'll draw
every tear out of you. 'Ahl won
you rage! You don't know, then, tina
| have found out your parents? Ih'
Maitre d'Ecole saw, at the galleys, tn
man who gave you to me when yol