The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-08-27

At the extremity of little hamlet, sit
uatcd no great distance from Tours, on
the road between Paris and Bor-
deauX. was to be seen Il few years back Il
pretty little inn, with whitewashcd walls
and swinging signboard. Extensive
gardens surrounded it and shut it out
from the ncighboring houses. Thus is
olatcd, and rendered still more striking
by its freshly decorated exterior, still
farther set off by windowblinds of Il
bright green, it broke upon the eye of
the traveller like one Of those pleasant
villas that adorn the picturesque shores
of the Lore 1t is not then to be won
lcrcd at that it should be the favorite
resting place for travellers, the chosen
hostelry of postilions and conductors,
the most approved rendezvous for
wealthy traders, whom pleasure or bust
ness might conduct to its locality Nor
did the interior of the inn belle the invi-
ting aspect of its exterior. At the top,
the snuEg3st bedrooms We're to let; on
the ground floor the dining room and
the kitchen with its wide fireplace, the
two separated by Il passage leading to
| the outer door. EverI where neatncss
and order rcigncd paramount
1t was in the kitchen Of the White
llouse-for so the inn was named-that
ON a cold and rainy evening in the month
Of November, 1918, NJ Ebrard, the land
lord, and his three children, in company
with one of their ncighbors, were seated
round bright wood fire, diScoursing of
their affairs, and enjoying the pulls of
heat emitted by the glowing embcrs.
| only listen to the rain!' said Mr. Eb-
rard. after silence of more than usual
duration. This is the third day that it
has poured necessarily, and there seems
no likelihood of change. looked at
the clouds this evening, and they were
as watcry as ever. Marie. go forth and
fetch lis another bottle of our partcu-
| lar-yUu know-on the left, ut the bot
tom Of the cellar.
At these words, uttered in harsh and
| impcrious tone, Marie instantly reused
| herself from sort of rcverie into which
she seemed to have fallen; she first threw
n vague aud undetermined glance upon
| him who had thus abruptly summoned
her; then recalling, as by an inward cf
fort, the injunction of NJ. Ebrard, sh,
rose and left the apartment without ut
tcring a word.
Whoever had observed the young cir
while she lighted her lamp, repaired
to the cellar, and brought the wine, coulC
not fail to have been struck with the i'm
mobility of her countcnance while hel
deep rcyerie had caused her to resemble
a statute of marhlc-bcautlrui indeed
with features delicately formed, and ont
lines gracefully deliucatcd, but as inani
mate and cold as the block whence the,
seemed hewn. And it was ON that &C
count that NJ. Ebrard pursued her con
,tantly with his rcproaches, and wearic,
her with his gross plcasantrieS, ior NJ
Ebrard was not the father of Marie
She was the daughter of rich merch
ant, who had died "A bankrupt, and he
mother married NJ Ebrard in the hop
Of insuring home and protection 70
herself and helpless child.
Come on, come ON, sWd the landlord
rs he saw Marie returning from the ce
lpr. Only Just look at that face of her.
Does she not remind one of picture c
the Magdalene, with great black eye'
and air of patient resignation
Your health, VI. Ebrard, rcjoined tn
ncighbor, aiming himself with Il glas
three parts full.
At this moment two knocks wei
heard at the outer door, and the hanC
of the inn-keepcr and his comrade WEI
suddenly arrested in the very act of lit
ing their glasses to their lips. Mar
gave a nervous start that almost cause
her TO leap out of her chair.
who can it be at such an hour of Il
night?' said Ebrard. 1T is no travelc
unless the diligence is greatly behir
time; and beside
Two knocks,morc violent than befor
rcSoundcd through the kitchen. III
landlord rose uneaSily, took a lam
crossed the passage that led to the out
door, and before opening ii, demand,
in a firm voice, Who's there!
"A traveller; open quickly ! was {
response from the outside,
What do you want! said the Ian
lord.
What do want! repeated the vol
outside, why supper and bed,
be sure, Open the door, will you?'
Don't get in passion, said Ebral
drawing back the bolt and turning t
key in the lock. Walk in, sir! y
come at rather unreasonable hour; a
as the country is ovcrm with robbie
we are apt to be cautious about openi
the door late at night.
So saying, he held the lamp under
very nose of his guest, and the conte
plation seemed sufficiently reassmil
for he bowed respectfully closed I
door, and taking the portmanteau of I
stranger on his back, marshaled the "
toward the kitchen, lamp in hand,
AS soon as the traveller had disencu
bered himself of his cloak, satura
with rain and mud, he seated himself
side the fire, opposite the young 9
of whom we have remarked, on enteri
His first care was to call for some S
per, adding:
i must beg of you to be quick alb