The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-31

ment of the galleys had been able TO I'M
press, was softened, and his heart, poor
fellow, beat almost TO suffocatiou. The
scene before him vividiy recalled his boy
hoods days; with an effort he closed his
eyes, and turning on his heel, walked rap
Idly away.
Then came back TO him the words which
he had seen in chalk upon the black
board.
IF, after all, it should not be too late,"
he murmured. III | could still earn and
eat my bread ike an honest man and
sleep in peace, free from haunting night
mares, Surely no detective could recog-
nize me now. Nv beard has grown and
hides my face. One need not look far for
work. and should be lost in the great
crowd. Any one who can live through a
term al Toulon must be strong and hardy,
lit for any labor They are building
around here. and the masonS must need
help. Three francs day-why, that is
more than | have ever earned All
pray for is that | may have been for
gotten
He stuck to his courageous resolution.
worked well and faithfully, and three
months after was another man. The con-
tractor for whom he worked pointed him
out as one of the best hands. After a day
OF hard labor, passed upon the building
scaftold IN the full glare of the sun, carry
ing bricks and mortar from one place to
another. he would trudge back 10 his cheap
clearinghouse, tired out and exhausted.
but contented with himself, and amassing
by degrees little store of money, when
he kept carefully TIED up in the corner of
handkerchief. Now he walked the
streets without fear, knowing that the
marks OF toll We're the best of all DISCUSSES
and that the police would hardly look for
him among the ranks OF laboring men. He
kept entirely to himself. and was entirely
sober. At night he enioved the well
earned sleep OF toll. He was free man.
Then came his greatest reward; he made
friend. He was an apprentice mason
like himself, called Savinien. a red
checked country lad who had come 70
Paris carrying his worldly goods in bun
die, who avoided the wine shops as he
would scourge, and was still faithful 10
has religious training. Jean Francois was
attracted 10 hlm by his rude health his
candor And his honesty, in short by ALI
that he himself had lost so long ago. IL
was on his part deep and sincere pas
sion, seldom openly displayed. but evil
denced by his care and fatherlv watchful-
ness over the boy. As for Savinien he was
OF gentle, somewhat selfish nature, care
less IN most matters, but glad to have
found 8 companion who shared his horror
OF the cabaret. The two friends lived to-
gether, sharing large and neatly fur
nIshed room, but their Joint resources
being limited they were compelled 70 adj
nit third ledger. This was an old
Auvergnau, surly and miserlv by nature
who, even out Of MS small wages, managed
to put by little hoard
Jean Francois and Savinien were seldom
apart On holidays they would 90 off on
a long walk through the suburbs of paris
GROWING the days endowment with a
quiet homely meal at some rusticinn Il
was then that Jean Francois learnt much
that such = town-bred mouse "A he was
ignorant OF; the names Indifferent trees OF
plants ana flowers, the thousand details at
agricultural life. For the first time his
Imagination was awake and ne took a
strange pleasure in hearing OF the calm
and peaceful, monotonoUs country life
one thing alone troubled him, the fear
lest Savlnlen should come to learn his
past once or twice some slang word or
vulgar gesture had escaped him. causinf,
hlm to feel bitter after grief. the more as
he plainly saw that SaYInIen's curiosity
was aroused. When the lad. who hal
already met With the many temptations
Paris affords 10 such as ne, would ask him
about the mysteries of the great city, Jean
Francois telgned ignorance. and was
quick 10 change the subject. Such oues-
tlons, however. left a vague feeling OF un-
easlnesS behind them.
Nor was this without reason. for il coula
not be expected that Savinien would for
ever remain a supplemented country lad
IL he was able 10 withstand the brutal
temptations of the public house, there stlil
remained other dangers in the nath of a
youth OF - years. When the spring came
As " as wont 70 wander forth by himself
and, standing outside the ga,iy-lighted
gates, watch the groups and couples as
IAey entered some dance garden nigh 20