The record-union., 1891-01-10

throw MN OF the track, went through 9
little gate, and after crossing the fields on
a run found himself in the very heart o.
the hamlet, where he stopped to recover
his breath.
CHATTER TX.
Profound silence and darkness reigned
throughout the place, except in one little
hut through the blinds of which filtered
a feeble light. The outer door, which
bold enough to enter, and the first thing
which met his eye was a roaring fire.
At last!'' he cried, as he quickly ap-
preached the darting flames for which he
had been seeking to dry his soaking gar
ments.
rs that you, Pierre?" asked a feeble
voice from one corner of the room.
Tringle turned his head and perceived
only large bed hung with heavy dark
curtains.
pierre, is that you?' repeated the
voice still moro family than before.
Tringle seemed transformed into 8
statue. Seated on O low chair before the
fireplace, he saw with ecstasy the mois-
ture OF his garments rising in steamy
clouds under the cheerful blaze Of crack
ling log-fire. A dim light pervaded the
room, proceeding from little lamp in
which the oil was nearly exhausted.
Pierre" resumed the voice, 'tlisten to
me! have committed many crime in
my life; do not initiate me, my son!'
Tringle pricked up his ears and began
to question the propriety of listening to
such condolences; but his costume was
but half dried, and a few minutes more
would enable him to depart in compara-
tive comfort from this strange dwelling
So, sitting his scompunction, he continued
to avail himself of the vivifying warmth,
whfse the voice went on in thrilling
whisper:,
pierre, have ruined many family.
After my death, look after the people who
have given me their notes; cancel the
mortgages without demanding the pay
ment Of the sums due; it would be i'll
gotten gains-it would burn you, as it
now burns my guilty breastv'
Then Tringle remembered that there
lived in the hamlet a usurer who had
a1nassed a fortune by depressing the poor.
Pierre" cried the dying man, human
justice was never able to overtake me, but
that of the Lord overwhelms me now
Ny strength is going fast. Quick! Pierre,
drink!"
Tringle hesitated about making known
his presence; but the voice still en-
treated:
pierre! drfnkr'
Taking up the smoking lamp and going
toward the bed, Tringle perceived on the
little table o small vial and a glass. He
poured out few drops of thetonic, which
proved to be mixture of wine and quin-
quina, and found the odor so appetiZing
that he did not scruple to taste the liquid,
intending, however, to leave enough for
the penitent uSurer.
Hardly had he touched his lips to the
mouth of fthe bottle when the door opened,
admitting the priest, the lawyer, and the
neighbors whom Pierre had informed OF
his fathers approaching death.
Tringle dropped the bottle in alright,
and the newcomers each uttered cry OF
terror, believing themselves in the pres
ence of Satan himself, who had, no doubt,
profited by tho lonely condition of the
dying man to take immediate possession
of his soul.
"Vade retroW shouted the curate, dash
ing the holy water into his face; but
Tringle did not wait for this abjuration.
who tried to give him blow of the
leather bag which contained the testi-
mentary papers.
The son was too overcome with grief to
act; but tho nefghbors set out IN pursuit
of the fleeing devil, who, thanks to the
thorough warming which he had obtained,
had somewhat recovered his strength,
else he could not have escaped the fury OF
the peasants.
At about a gun-shot's distance from the
hamlet was little wooded hill overlook
ing the road. Tringle put forth all his
remaining strength to reach it, think
ing 1t would be an impregnable fortress
in which to elude his enemies. After
filling his lungs to their utmost capacity,
he heightened his pace and plunged into
the woods, regardless Of the thorns and
branbles which guarded the entrance,
while nearer and nearer on the hard road
sounded the hob-nailed shoes of the
peasants.
Painting like deer pursued by the
hounds, Tringle sped through the woods,
trembling at the murderous cries which
reached his ears from all sides. At length,
coming to.a pond of dark-looking water
covered>with long sword-grass and pond
(Ilies, he jumped in, at the risk Of being
CHAPTER <.
Covering in the-recessb of an old willow
which oVerhung the pond, Tringle, shiv-
bring with cold and fear, declared to hin1-
self that he only escaped bne danger to
falf into another. a new element, water,
had conspired with Its terrible colleague,
the air, to prosecute him. An attack OF
pleurisy Was the very least that he might
expect from such exposure.
However, as soon as the irate country
folk were at safe distance he crawled out
of his muddy hiding place, and, having
wiped OFT his Shiny garments as best he
could with the leaves of tho pond-hlies,
once more resumed his course through
the briars and brambles. Far in the dis
tance there cleaned through the trees q
faint light indicating the edge of the
wood, and after final effort he found
himself in an open field, where herd OF
cattle, browsing on the scanty grass,
looked at him with wondering eyes.
around hut which to poor Tringle
seemed, at that moment, a kingly place.
The door was open, and as the herdsman
had probably gone sout, Tringle did not
hesitate to cross the meadow to reach the
inviting shelter. The oxen, with their
usual pacific disposition, moved slowly
away and watched with gentle eyes the
obtrusive devil, which, from their point
OF view, must have appeared strangely
fantastic.
Suddenly loud believing broke upon
the unlucky Tringle. He had reckoned
without the bull, which, excited by the
faring red of the costume de dia6le, came
toward him with evidently hostile inten-
tions. A cold perspiration started on the
body of the terrified masker. who stood
rooted to the spot. The most savage heart
may be sottened, but not an enraged bull.
He advanced rapidly, his tail in air, his
eyes infiamed, and believing forth war
cry more terrible than that OF savage
about to scalp a victim.
Flight was out of the question! Tringle
was surrounded on all sides by the cattle,
which seemed to await the combat and to
glory in the triumph of their chief. AT
the first lunge the infuriated beast made
toward his intended victim he missed
him, for Tringle, notwithstanding his
terror, observed that the ferocious brute
lowered his head for the purpose of run
ming him through the breast, and as he
came laundering toward him, managed to
step aside. Then began wild chase
around the circle OF cattle, when TriIgle,
finding no point of defense, and pursued
too closely by the bull, had presence OF
mind enough to seize him by the horns,