The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1893-07-13
CHAPTER /.
IE NEW ARRIVAL.

In the spring OF 1903 Charmont-sur-
Point was one OF the quietest little vii.
lagos in the whole OF France. It was
nestled in small valley, through which
o little stream ran to join the Isere,
about two days journey below Grenoble.
The tree clad hills rising up on either
side sheltered it from all winds and shut
out the hum Of the larger world.
1t was little wonder that the villagers
were peaceful and prosperous in this lit
tie garden plot of natures making. for
it would be impossible to imagine more
favorable condition for the enjoyment Of
rural life. The glebe was rich, the
springs were many, and the summer sun
shone with such radiant heat in the shell
tered valley that corn and wine ripened
unfailingly, and what farmers call "a
bad year" had never been known.
But the peace and prosperity were not
merely the growth Of positive forces.
Mems troublous ways and the irruptions
Of strangers troubled them not. Even
the terrors and troubles Of the revolu-
ton had seemed to have passed them by,
and now, when the hamlets Of France
eCA0 bCiAlk tldAhtA Vi AACI W tDt
wasted armies and to swell the "army
of England" which was gathering on
the northern coast, this sheltered nook
escaped unscathed.
Such thing as q complete stranger
was unknown in the village. Now and
again came an official on his way from
place to place--a casual peddler or an
itinerant musician on his rounds--and
at such times the curiosity which lay
dormant in the breasts of even these old
world villagers raised its sleepy head
and enjoyed the rare attraction. Very
few Of the villagers had ever been away
from their homes. The cure, it's true,
went now and again to Grenoble, and
the doctor had been once TO Paris with
in the 40 years during which he had
aided in the incomings and outgoings OF
humanity in this quiet spot.
1t was theyefore with strange feelings
that the little group assembled under the
spreading lime tree whose shade kept the
clear water Of the wen perpetually cool
saw approach a stranger, end not merely
a stranger, but seemingly distinguished
stranger-a young man of some so years
Of age, tall and well built, with striking
features and flashing eyes and habit Of
command which. however, tailed but
poorly with his time worn clothes. HI
was handsome, graceful fellow, with
the easy gait tlst marks the habitua
pedestrian. His glance was bold anc
rowing, with something Of the predatory
look, which conveys to educated eyes
customary ignorance Of where the mex
meal might come from. In q word, thu
man in less simple community could
not have been mistaken for anything hui
an adventurer, but here in this forgotten
/. corner of the earth, among people sc
guileless, his very boldness, shiftines.
andextravaganceo of action became mark,
Of higher culture than their own.
As the stranger came up the dusty
roadway the little village crowd peered
out eagerly from their shadowy citadel
and by some exercise of that unknown
instinct which brings the vulture to ths
quarry ana the crowd TO the street tine
cottages began TO pour forth their In
habitants. The village maidens made
their appearance with marvellous celeri.
ty, considering the fact that they had re.
manned an extra minute for further
adornment.
The traveller seemed to be a shrewd
fellow enough for the occasion, for SC
soon as he began to find himself an OBJ.
ject of public attention he began to
slaclzen his pace, to look around with
eyes of lazy inquiry and generally tc
act with that careless indifference which
has so much charm for those who but
seldom find their lives quickened by any
object of curiosity. As his value per
ceptibly increased in the public mind