The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1882-02-08

Martin said the man. "Will IL take
you much longer to finish your round T?
You doubtless have yet to go to the
Landa GIise, 10 Plessis. l know some
one who is impatiently waiting for you
there. | nm obliged to pass in tho vi
cinity. If you wish it 1 will relieve You
Of yonr letters"
"Thauk you l will deliver them my
self"
"Thato yourself out and out. After
oil. you are right. 1t is your duty to
deliver them"
While talking with adequately which
did not encourage the postman, he took
up tho sack the latter had placed beside
him, seemed TO fee! its weight, and
turned il over and over.
"Lct my sack alone, please" said
Martin, coldly. "You have disarranged
all my letters. / shall no longer know
what TO do.
The other humbly excused himself for
this awkwardncss.
"The evil il reparable," added no.
"Scat Yourself at this table and you will
have no trouble TO arrange the letters
according 10 the route you should take"
The postman emptied his sack before
him and began 10 arrange his letters.
His questioner affected 10 keep dis
crertly ut n distance, but found an OPP.
poriunity TO cast furtiye glance over
his shoulder.
While Martin was busy with his work
ne heard furious grOwls behind him.
"pee Martin, help me TO prevent
your dog from Btrangling mine, SAID
his new acquaintance.
The postman arose and canght his
dog by the skin Of the neck. The AMI
muI's fury cOntrasted with its habitual
gcntlencss.
This fact seemed strange 10 Martin.
He felt distrust Of the communicative
stranger grow upon hin. He was about
TO replace his papers in the sack, when
the man, IA ii to SEQ what was the state
Of the weather, opened the door.
At the same instant the wind swept
impsluously into tho room, which it
flied with thick smoke, and, lifting
theieiicrs spread out upon tho table,
scattered them in every direction.
The postman uttered All exclamation
Of anger.
"Bahl it is nothing" said the person
who had caused the accident. 1--WE two
will speedily gather them up"
And without needing the refusal OF
Martin, who wished to avoid his help
aud do the work alone, he began to
search for the letters.
When they had collected all they
could find, the postman carefully exam
incd them; then he seemed worried, ns
if ho had not tho full number.
care there any missing?' asked his
companion.
at appears to mo that there was an
other letter"
"ijahl Either you arc deceived on you
forgot IT mt the postoilice.
"Ihat IL quite possible"
He said to himself that IL must be 80.
However, he resumed his hunt and
searched beneath the furniture. IIe
found nothing, and concluded that his
memory had not served him faithfully,
for ho had watched his companion =
movements, and IT did not seem admiss-
ibIc TO him that ho had stolen letter.
Nevertheless he FASTENED to depart, re-
GREETING that no had entered the drink
ing house. The mun who had chuttcd
with him inspired in him veritablc re-
pul,ion, and 1t was his rule, because OF
the habits Of discretion which the post
Office imposes upon all its agents, To
keep nj II distance all who did not mp.
pear TO him worthy Of confidence.
Tho storm had somewhat abatcd its
fury, the rain soon ceased to fall, and
bright sunshine lighted up the country
when the postmon reached tho nearest
village.
A woman was at the door of her house
awaiting his passage. Sho was still
young, and, without possessing remark
able beauty, had IL neat and sympathetic
| cluntcnanco.
Monsieur Martini" said she TO the
posiman. "havo you letter for mep
"NO, Madame Andre, | have not. :"
"That's strange; my husband should
have written to me to-day; you cannot
imagine how much his silence troubles
me"
She grew pale and seemed scarcely t.
have the strength to sustain herself.
Tho postman assisted her into tn,
house md handed her chair, upor
which she let herself fall. Two charm
ing children fixed on her sad and anx
| lUus looks.
"You will receive letter tomorrow
Madame Andre" sNid Pere Martin
"lhc delay Of II day is easily explained
your husband was disappointed, som'
unforeseen business suddenly dcmaudc,
his attention aud he missed the mail.
"No; / know him md cannot under
stand his silence. You are aware tina
he departed two months ago for the
city. Some work was to be attended
10 which promised to bring him i'll q
great deal of money small inheritance
was also to be received. But NIL is con
cluded. He sent me word that he would
return this evening he has made hi'
arrangements to that end. Tomorrow
the farm of La Name is to be sold i; h,
has decided to purchase either MI o
purt of it. 1t is an opportunity whicl
will never again present itself, but
would prefer thousand times that h,
should miss it to have him returning
without notifying me-"
| "Whyp"
| "Bccause some one has wicked de
signs against him, and at night terri
Bile blow is soon struck. You know tina
there are two routes by which to return
he o; one is longer than the other, bu
safer. am afraid lest he may return
by way OF the Moulin Brule, the nor
SO MS there is some one 10 see that Iii
rociion. tremble at the mere though
of it. Ii | only knew
Tho postmaan strove to calm he
fears, but she shook her head.
"You can't think" resumed she
"what certain men are capable Of, whel
they have grudgeagainst anybody"
She seemed to hesitate, and theI
added:
eff I tremble il is not simply be
cause my husband will have to pas