Litchfield enquirer., 1877-12-20

WuCH uCIs AkN At 4Eh NAc Ac1A6AeS WcIc all in the hall, and the Baron met his mother. He akissedher and.led her up to where the young Raronne stood blnshing and trembling It sned as if the mother diyined what was to foilS, for she cast an envious glance at the young lady; and said in her most insulting, naughty voice, Whom hast thou here Phili ippe 2 a new house-maid? She is too pretty for the place l" It is said that the Baron answer cd her back with q spirit naughty as her own You are quite right in thinking her too beat1l tifal for any but the reigning place, mother; this t9 is : nsy soifs :" Bold of him, was it not
 Monsieur nodded. 5ss st afsea
 ssOh, then, M'sieur, the storm broke. The old BaFonne raised her hand and cursed them both she cursed the babe unborn. Her words were awful May the babe be as beautiful and more witless than you are r shes said to tho wife; may it show slittle affection for its own flesh and blood as my son has shown for me, and may no blessing fall on the D'Ofvales until 6 Stranger came from distant land and bear it away from it's forefatheFs home ' :"
 .sfssShe emust havebeen curious old lady. Go on. d ss.sss ksssss saasst s4isa4f .as
 s'sThe young Baronne fell like dead person upon the floor, and Madame swept away to her own apartments. It has doubtless the influence of the evil eye which prevented the Baron from seeing how his poor young wife pined away af- ter that night. And at last she gave birth to q child and died Two months after the old Baronne was found dead in her bed, and rl. mons came abroad that there were strange black marks around her throat as if the fend incar- nate had come to claim his own"
 The half-incredulous smile with which the stranger had listened throughout increased to one of mockery. "What, becameo of the child ?" he asked. Did the fiend and the old Baronne spirit that away, too?
 'sNon, Msieu it was agirl, .o
 "And what became of the Baron pc .ass
 stHe was killed at Sedan, M'seu."
 Where is the child ?" Y
 ''She has been a1waysat the chateau, M Msieu, with old Jean- Marie, and Margot, his wife. The young lady has had discreet dame a agOWV- ernGate and dGme ds cODpGgnie but lately we heard that she was ill., or dead"
 Why, then, need you make so much fuss about seeking refuge at the chateau? Surely precautions are not needful when one only craves nights lodging, and that of necessi- ty ?"
 Evidently Monsieur does not comprehend; the chateau is haunted by evil things Nothing fourishes there; all goes to decay; the families about it will not visit And Margot ah, she has tongue but think she will admit me because she isa great-aunt to my wife'scousin Look there, Msieu; you can see the chateau 2
 They had been going at quite slow pace, for the road was bad one, and evidently sell dom travelled. But as they turned abruptly to the left, the tall gray turrets with their sugar loaf peaks rose clearly before them, above the trees and thesunderbrush, which impeded their progress. As they came nearer, the wild de- serted appearance of everything excited the strangers attention. 85@ a s"" .a Its almost equal to palace of the fairy tales, !" said he aloud, speaking in English. If it were not for my nineteenth century incredu- lity 1 might fancy that it held the sleeping Princess of the Wood" s waa& yE
 4 Comment Msien ?" said Jacques, catching the. words imperfectly, and fancying himself addressed. <"s
 '.IIow do you propose to entergs wsas the travellers answering question andsagain he found himself wonderin whether, be should not find trumpet suspended to the gate post, upon which he must blow peal loud enough to awaken the sleeping inhnbitantmo assti sssa
 Jacques was looking about himsasif in some uncertainty himselfsv His -tiredT master rode forward to the gateway.
 ''Fot there, M'sieu," cried Jacques, in dis may. ''There is another gate somewhere be- hind the chateau; or we might get through the hedge, perhaps, or over the wall, but we must leave our horses outside. Jean Marie may per haps come to see after them, but itwould new CT do to anger la Mere Margot by riding in on horseback" -. .4 .
 Riding round, and getting over the tangled mass of grass and overgrown weeds as best as they could, Jacques peered in all directions for an entrance, and found it.
 Here is the gate, Msieu but it is locked: Blessed St Jean we cannot climb those iron railinvs What is to he done ?"
 Upon which helpless question, the stranger impatiently seized the half hidden handle of bell, and sounded loud peal. Before it's echoes had died away, voice rose behind them.
 Be off What dost thou want We can have no stragglers about the chateau 'Orvale." Just beyond the gate stood an old, withered up woman. She looked like bit of vixen, but yet her black, bead-like eyes had gleam in them that was not altogether unkindly on her arm was basket half-full of wood which she had evidently been gathering.
 'La Mere Margot, began Jacques, removing his hat and speaking in concilatory tone, "I am Jacques Virot dost thou not remember? Msieu, here, is ill, and unable to proceed even as far as St. Etienne. Fer old acquaintance sake, Mere Margot, give us shelter for to- night"
 But Mere Margot, instead of replying to this civil speech, proceeded to rate him soundly for daring to come at all. Did his impertinence think that the chateau was an auberge, or that she had time to waste in getting supper for such as he And how did she know that the stranger might not be one of those accursed Prussians, not one of whom had ever yet cross ed the tereshold of the chateau. The stranger cut short the harangue.
 '1 have been wounded, good mother" said he. But am fully able to pay you for your though will not offend you by offering money, Knowing the hospitable repu- tation of the dOrvales." Mere Margot looked at him keenly. a1
 ''Humph!' said she. ''Who are you, that you can know anything of us /? Blonde and big you are Prlssian!" '' . Whether 1 am or not" said the stranger, her fierce tone, II fought for France at Sedan
 The woman's face softened. "He is too young to lie while looking in my eyes," she .sBut-no why should do it ? Go 10 St. Etienne for your lodgings" tss7gt.
 Just then clear, bird like voice was heard song upon the other side of the gate. Margot gave au uneasy glance in the direction whence it came r ; l.s-..rf Il tell you, Sir. we can't shelter you Jac- Iues Virot, begone. How dare you come here; 1on't you know this place is sacred ?" Y :. Lifting her hands to enforce obedience, the stranger, utterly exhausted, fell heavily to the ground. At the same moment the gate was opened, and slight, beautiful girl appeared
 'Where's your key that you should ring, Margot? l hear Jean abusing you for forget ing it. And what is all this? Who are hey ?" @
 The sweet, bell-like voice faltered the young girl drew back. Inspiration seized on Jacques He resolved to appeal to her..
 ''For the love of Heaven, Mam'selle La Baronne, let me carry him in If he has not some brandy and his wound is not dressed, he will die. See, he has tainted !" ..
 Bah he is a Prussian," cried Margot 'let lim die" But the little Barohne said not word; she glided toward him.
 He will not die ;" she said, nodding her head, after long scrutiny of the senseless form n Jacques arms. 'But he will be company for me, and am tired of the loneliness. Mar got tell Jean-Marie to come here and help car y him in to the chateau!"
 She gave the order in cold, imperious tones very singular in one so young as seventeen. Jacques looked at her in open-mouthed admi- ration. Margot began to grumble; but the Bar0nne quietly repeated her order, and Mar trl~I n -Al..