The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-10-26

had the merit of being, as far as it
went equal in quality to any that
could have been provided. The soup
was excellent; the cider was the best
to be had in Normandy, the land of
cider; and my landlord gave me
glass Of Burgundy, and some wall
fruit, fresh from the gardens, which an
epioure would have praised.
When I had smoked pipe with the
aubergiste, aud had ohatted while
with his pretty daughter, l bade them
both good night and went to my room,
above stairs, in more genial state of
mind.
Some hours after | had retired TO
bed was awakened by knocking at
the front door, and then heard voices
in the road, talking loudly. AT first l
took no heed of these sounds, but as
the noise prevented me from sleeping
l gradually began to grow curious to
ascertain the cause of such disturb
ance at this late hour; for, on striking
a light and referring to my watch, ]
found that it was past 1 o'clock. BY
this time the visitors had gained ad-
mission, and now recognized the
voice of the aubergiste speaking in his
loud tone with some men at the en-
trance to the inn. My curiosity was
aroused. The incident of the after
noon again recurred to me; again l
was haunted by that repulsivc face of
the wheelwright. Could this visit
have anything to do with him, or with
M. Leonard? 1 dressed hastily and
descended. As l reached the bottom
of the staircase l encountered Marie,
looking frightened and as pale as
death. Without uttering word she
beckoned to me to enter the kitchen.
l followed her.
The fire in the hearth had burned
out. A small heap Of white ashes lay
there, and behind them the blackened
stone tablet with the wrestlers strug-
Cling with each other in their desper-
ate embrace. These were the objects
upon which my eyes fell as Marie
placed candle upon the table, and
clasping her hands exclaimed: an.
Leonard"
I demanded anxiously: "What of
him."
ale is lost!" cried the girl.
I looked into her face for clearer
meaning to her words. "Who says
this?"
She pointed towards the door. "The
two gentlemen who have just arrived" ="
"How do they know that he is lost?"
"They have been dining" said she,
sat his fathers house. He had not re-
turned home when they left Fecamp,
an hour ago"
I tried TO reassure the girl. "But,
said l, "that does not prove that he is
1lost. There may be many ways of ex-
planning his delay in reaching home. "
The girl burst into tears. ''No,"
said she-"no. There is only one. "
Her desire to overcome the grief and
the terror which had evidently taken
hold of her was painful to witness.
"Tell me-" said l, as soon as she be-
came calmer-"tell me what it is yor
fear. Perhaps may be able to rem
der you some assistance
"1ndeed you can,' said she, looking
up gratefully into my face. "The two
gentlemen who are now in the cafe
with my father, who are resting herr
on their way home, have evidentl!
been drinking; they cannot take
serious view of the affair But !, VIII
know the truth, am confident tina
Faubert is the cause of this trouble
He swore to me this afternoon that h
would take the life of M. Leonard to
night"
i l uttered an exclamation of horror
"Why,' said I, "why did you nc
mention this before ?"
81 did not believe it," said she
"But do not doubt it now"
"Why noti'
81 have been to his house." said she
"He is not there"
care you sure?"
absolutely"
Il Imoved quickly towards the doc
'The matter is serious" said l; enc
a moment must be lost" As l spok
a loud burst of laughter came from tn
, cafe opposite. l glanced through tn
glass door, and perceived two me
? drinking at a table with the aubergist
as though they had forgotten the e.
| istence of their missing friend
Marie looked at me in despai
"They do not know" said she.
q 81 will enlighten them at once,"
replied, placing my fingers on tt
{ latch.
g l felt her hand upon my arm. "No
' said she; 81 implore you"
= "My father" said she, 81 am afra
g of him. If he knew of this he wou
@ blame me. am engaged to be mt
b ried to Faubert."
o "To that demon? exclaime
[. with surprise.
3 SIT is my fathers wish," she expla
s ed. "Oh, how l hate the mani
Another burst of laughter reach
/ Quick" said l, "some lanterl
~ Leave all to me-"
re Assuming as CAIN ana pollte mi
~ ner as l could under the circumstanc
l entered the cafe and addressed
a two men:
* 81 understand, gentlemen" said
ID shat your friend NJ, Leonard has |
It. returned this evening to his fatht
ID house at Fecamp. This fact is n
ht perhaps, in itself very alarming. |
GO have reason to believe that he
ne met with foul play. will explain II
tn SELF" l added, as the men began
De question me, "more clearly present
Is. If you will accompany me along
he road which M. Leonard told me
it. should take tonight on his return
Fecamp, we can talk as we go alor
,e- for think we ought to lose no timc
II. starting on this search"
as The men readily agreed to my |
en- posal. My manner was earnest,
he my words sobered them, They s
of | showed As much eauarness to denarf