The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-24

Of cool, romorseiess, daring villain,
though at the present moment it suited
him to assume the air Of a light hearted
vagabond.
With all that there was certain sub
stratum Of refinement about him. the last
remnant OF earlier associations, an easy
insolence of manner and en- air Of one
accustomed 20 command which had its
effect on the simple villageois among
whom he found himself and overawed
them in spite of his broken shoes and
torn coat. He was dressed in an old
brown coat buttoned up tightly, round
his neck was twisted red cravat, he
wore reddish pantaloons and red
striped waistcoat, remains of pair cf
riding boots, and carried on his head "a
high crowned white hat much dilap;-
dated. He carried stick which no
twirled on his finger as he advanced into
the courtyard with an air OF the greatest
insouciance, singing another couplet:
La tendrs Annette,
Sen va seulettc,
Sous In coudrette,
Cnanter 10 Robin dos Bois.
His companion. who followed closely
behind him as lie entered tho courtyard,
was of quite a different type and even
less prepossessing. He was mean,
scoundrelly looking little man, with
brown hair cropped short, and coarse,
repulsiEe- features W heHa vice and crime
were not in any degree, however small,
the result of circumstances, but were
the inevitable outcome of his nature and
instincts. He was the consummate fruit
of hereditary degradation. It was nat
ural that he should walk behind his
stronger and more masterful companion,
whom he seemed TO hold in considerable
awe, and it seemed natural. too, that he
should carry both their bundles, as he
did. He wore a gray coat and an odd
looking pair of old Wellington boots.
The leader, rs he seemed to be, hay
ing taken n seat at one of the tables un-
der the tilleuls with an air as if the
place belonged to him. his companion
followed his example with q frightened
air.
'Well," said the tall one, 1--WE are not
far from the frontier now. 1t won't take
us long to get over the Jura. and then
messieurs les gcndarmes may go whis-
tle."
81 wish we were over, Remond,n
aid the other. my blood runs cold
every time see gendarme, and they
have q way Of looking at one that is not
pleasant. I'm sure don't Know what
brought you up here. We might have
got much more quickly over the from
tier"
wen might have got still more quickly
back TO the Lyons prison if we had tried
TO cross just where they were on the
lookout for us, Bahl Bertrand, You are
only white livered fellow after ALL"
"oh, don't pretend to have your as
surance. march along as If you had
nothing in tho world TO bo afraid Of"
Cant you understand, you fool, that
that assurance is our best safcguard2 l
wish you would cultivate it little, for,
with your cursed cowardice, you'll get
Us into hole one or these days. What
Is there to be afraid Of besides? This
bandage ditguises me completely, and
haven't wo our passports quite en- regle:"
Thanks to my little accomplish
monts"
"Just so. You're good for that much
at any rate. But in the devils name
try and not look so frightened whenever
any ono speaks TO you. We would have
been stopped at tho last poste if it had
not been for my assurance as you call
it."
"rll not be easy tin we are over the
frontier and in place Of safety. The
sight of gcndarme. repeat. makes my
blood run cold"
Courage, courage, and. above all,
audacity-thnt's the grand point. We
will soon be ont of danger, and in the
meantime wall have some food and rest
ourselves Hola. here, somebody he
cried, knocking with his stick on tho
table. Then taking OF his hat he placed
il on tho table beside him, anl having
wiped his face with ragged hardkcr-
chief he crossed his legs comfortably
and taking knife from his pocket pro-
ceeded TO trim his nails in loisurely
way. His hands were characteristic
like everything else about him. They
were white and smooth. tho hands Of
man who had never done manual labor.
with long, 1.-THE fingers that seemed
formed for card sharping and yet were
muscular enough - make one feel there
would be little chancellor the man whose
throat was clatched in their grip OF
steel.
These people don't hurry Themselves"
be observed presently "IIola. there
are you al aslcopT
Pierre appeared at the house door
grumbling TO himself at being called to
attend 10 strangers at such time. but
when he saw tho pair who waited his
appearance his disgust was great and
was not lessoncd by the air of easy con-
descension with which Remond beck