Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-03-28
MARCH es, 1868.

siip-snou woman came staring to the door as, we drove up. Captain Ray burn sprang out, and held forth both hands to me.
 Miss Stacey, can be of any service to you in this place ?" he asked, earn estly.
 No, thank you"
 He raised his cap.
 "Then we part here. Allow me to bid you good-day." f
 Rogue was standing few yards dis tant, hauling some baggage from the stage.
 Going back to camp, Captain P he said.
 "Yes."
 "How do things look up the river?'
 "Yery we'll" -
 l turned and went into the house.
 I had thought to find an inn, but I was mistaken. The place made no pre- tensions for the accommodation of guests. People in that region, gener- ally speaking, roughed it. In a great barrack of a room, all sooty and smoke begrimed, where the slip-shcd woman was frying potatoes and pork at cav ernous fireplace. succeeded in find- ing an empty chair, and, throwing of my hat, sat down 10 wait. Presently shadow darkened the window. l looked up to see Roque lolling on the sill, gazing in at me aslant with his sealthy eyes.
 You cant go now for an hour or two,' said the smooth, metallic voice.
 Why?" l asked, quickly.
 "The team won't be ready, but I've sent word to the woman, Gerty, that you're here"
 1 drew out my watch and opened it il wanted but few minutes to noon.
 "l am sorry" I said, flor 1 wished to proceed at once.n He watched me with black, unflinch- ing eyes.
 ''I can drive you to the house in two hours time," he answered. You've never been in these parts before, take it?"
 "No, l responded, briefly.
 The shadow slipped out of the win dow. He went of, whistling softly, across the yard.
 "Youre mighty young to be travelin alone said the woman, as she spread the deal table just at my elbow. "My son Johns the rcg'lar driver on this route. but he went to Calais yesterday. '
 l really loved Nurse Gerty; l was really anxious to see her again. Other wise 1 should have taken the same stage directly back to passaquod, so nervous and disquieted l was, waiting waiting in that barrack ofa room.
 While l was dining alone at the deal table, the man. Rogue, lay curled up on a mat of braided rags in the doorway, stunning himself, like snake, in the hot sun. did not notice him, exccp, to sec that his eyes were half closed, his arms flung above his head. The shadow of a bcech-tree growing out side trembled along the smoky wall aud fell upon him broad and dark. Suddenly, with thrill almost like terror, l lifted my eyes. The Canadian had raised himself silently to his elbow, | and was looking at me. It was a look, subtle, intense, sharp as lightning, shot through his fallen lashcs. It was riveted upon me for one breathless instant, then hastily withdrawn. l sprang up from my chair. He arose also from the mat and muttering to himself, walked quickly away.
 A full hour after this the wagon came to the door. As was dooming nly hat 1 said to the woman:
 "ls there no one but this Roque who can drive me to-day?"
 She looked surprised. 'Well, no. We've got a hostler, but he drinks some-he ain't to be trusted You needn't fear with Roque, he's a master hand at driving"
 When does your son return from Calais?"
 l And she made answer: "To o-night.' "Then,' said l, ''be sure that he comes for me tomorrow. l wish to take the noon stage for Passaquod.' I "Yes," answered the woman, I mounted into the wagon: Roquc I followed. He gathered up the reins and we set of.
 Some one had called the man stupid I should sooner have thought him 5 l scoundrel. Nevertheless, my inward uneasiness began to subside; he did not notice my presence by word ol look the entire way. He whistled tc 1 his horse; he swore soft French oath: when the beast stumbled along tho detestable road; he whipped off tho | heads of the little flowers in the thicket; as we passed he ummedssnatches o song to himself, but that was all. l So we went on, over a track thai grew wilder and lonelier with ever, mile so the afternoon began to wans away.
 Have we much further to gof' asked at last, for I was growing weary and impatient. We had entered npor a wilderness. I had not seen farm house for long time.
 " Yonder's the place" answered tht Canadian, pointing with his whil straight before us.
 A low, black house. sitting alone il 1 .. a..Ia /. ( ...,r.. Cl.. lh,.nn niInn thn tnl