The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-01-18
mystery of La Tour.du-Pin was almost

forgotten.
| Six years afterward, in the summer
of 1856, after having done pedestr. an
tour through the southwest and west Of
France, l found myself in Normandy
on my way back to England. Ihad in
herited from my father sleeping part
nership in a commercial house which
does q large trade with France, and up
on arriving at Caen / found letter
from one OF the partners IN which | was
requested, as / was in that part of
France, 10 run over t. Rouen and call
upon certain firm with which we had
been having extensive dealings. 1--WE
have heard disquieting rumors about
| Messrs. -" so ran the letter
sand they are some thousands of francs
in our books; try and get the money,
of which we inclose you statement,
in whole or in part; and endeavor, at
the same time. to ascertain the truth or
falsehood of the reports that are being
| circulated"
at once took train to Rouen, where
/ was so successful in my diplomatic
mission that | not only obta ned the
whole of the money referred to, but as
certained that the rumors VIII oh had
alarmed my partners were malicious
| caumnies OF course, had | been a
man Of business, should at once have
transm tied the notes through French
bank; but be ng one of the most care
less and unsystematic of idlers, / put
them in my pocket and resumed my
strolling toIr. had walked from Or
leans to Cape Finisterre, thence through
| into Nnry,,, pI,- for Coop
where 1 received my summons; so, in
order to complete my programme. re-
solved to walk back from Rouen to
Havre. 1t was the end of October, and
the weather. which had hitherto been
delightfully."- genial, suddenly changed
to cold, and by the time l got to fvetot
there were signs of general breakup.
/ passed the n ght at the dull little town
which Beranger has immortalized, and
:. to my chagrin woke up to pouring wet
morning. l was just meditatng wheth-
er it would not be better to bring my
journey to an end by jumping into the
next train for Dieppe. when about
twelve o'clock the rain ceased and
some CLEANS of sunshine broke through
the gray sky. Under this more favora-
bic aspect my courage revived and |
resumed my pilgrimage. But it was a
task rather than pleasure. The r ads
were heavy, the atmosphere was damp
and cold, the country uninteresting. |
had not proceeded far when the sun
withdrew himself altogether behind the
leaden canopy; and about four o'clock
the black clouds began to discharge a
mixture of ran, eet and snow, EN-
phas zed by a northwest wind that
prom sed to rise into gale, combina-
ton which rendered pedestrianism any
teing but an exhile atIng exercise.
church clock was Ginning the hour
of six when entered the town of -.
Weary. wet and hungry. was only too
glad to get into the first hotel that
offered accommodation. 1t was one of
those ancient houses, with pointed roof
and white plaster walls, curiously
crossed with black beams, so common
in Normandy. Passing beneath the
low-browed doorway descended step
into wide, rambling hall or passage,
which would have been in total dark
ness but for the light that streamed
through an open door near the entrance.
The sound OF my footStep brought forth
pale, sour-looking woman with can
die in her hand. who eyed me from head
to foot: hot without surprise, thought,
as though guest were an unlocked
for occurrence. Although | was not
astonished that my appearance, drip
ping with rain as L was, and as thickly
| despatched with mud as London ON
nibus on November day, did not seem
favorably to impress her: yet the place
looked so gloomy that | hesitated
whether should not 90 further on. A
peep, however, into the room she had
| Just Quilted. which was comfortably
furnished and lit up by a bright wood
fire, ind spoSed me to turn out again
into the pitiless storm, and l requested
| to be shown to the best bedroom that
the house afforded. Without a wo d,
and. as thought, rather reluctantly,
she led the way up wide oak staircase
into chamber upon the first floor.
which, with its white panels, polished
oak floor, perfect cleanliness, and COM
Portable and tasteful furniture, looked
so enticing to my weary eyes that l at
once expressed my determination to
p tch my tent there for the night.
1--WE charge more for this room, mon
sieur," she said, again eyeing me doubt
fully. 81 can find you another room.
very good, much cheaper" '.This or
nothing, madame" interrupted; and
to assure her of my alb lily to pay, not
outstanding my disreputable appear
ance, brought out my pocket-book,
which was crammed with notes and
gold, and put a louis dor into her hand.
l saw her face light up at the sight of
my book, and in a moment she was
overwhelming me with apologies for
her s.hesitatiOn. "But La Croix dor
is hotel of repute, and we are very
particular whom we receive. and l am
sure monsieur will not blame us for
that" 1t was with some difficulty
| impressed me even less fayoraoly than
did her previous sullenness.
AS soon as had changed my clothes
from my knapsack l went down stairs
and found my hostess waiting to con-
duct me into the salle-a-manger, where
fire was kindled and the table was al
ready laid for the meal l had ordered.
| now discovered that was the solita y
guest, although she protested that the
house was usually very full, indeed.
Appearances, however, did not coun-
tenan tn assert on; there was only
one servant about, stupid looking
country wench, and there was that in
descri5able air of stagnation that one
always feels in little-freguented inn.
The nner was served by the host
h imsef. and he had ev IDENTIFY cooked it
as well. He was a man who looked
about forty, with straight black ha T
and beard and southern type of ply