The Canton times. (Canton, Miss.) 1893-1906, 1894-08-10

counter, as usual, but + passed hin
| without word.
swift thou not have one to-day
Francois?" he asked, pushing the DO.
toward me.
He was an old man, and blear-eyed
but he was poor, and the purchases Q
the little company who met SO fire
quently in that back room mean
much to him. 1 threw him a franc,
and, selecting cheroot mechanically,
went out without my change. On the
walk / began to tear off mouthfuls OF
the strong tobacco and eat it as hun
CRY man would bread. Then my brair
became clearer, and ] was able tt
think, and plan, and remember, once
more.
1t was dark when I made my way
into his garden. It was beautiful
garden, but gardens are only for the
rich. A great wall was built all about
it, that the poor might not even see
its beauty. All things are denied the
poor but labor; that they have in
plenty.
He was in the habit of walking in
his garden early in the morning. We
all knew that; everybody knew it, in
fact, SO I concealed myself beside the
path and waited. The pistol was in
my bosom-my hand upon it. I could
not fail to hit the mark, for he would
pass within yard of NE.
"One barrel for him, the other for
mel" I kept repeating, and thus the
night wore away and the gray dawn
broke at last.
First q liveried servitor-as naughty
as his master-marched down the walk
and unbarred the massive gate. Then
other tokens of life appeared about
the villa A maid was singing about
hetrwprk +; she had clear, sweet voice.
81 .aehow it sounded IKE my mothers,
though in what manner could not
tell. Perhaps she sang the same
ditty that I had heard her sing to my
little sister. These recollections
brought the tears to my eyes, but I
gripped the pistol all the more firmly.
At last saw him come from the hall
and pass down the marble steps into
the garden. He was handsome, i'm
posing old man, and hearty looking, as
though he had yet many years of
life before him. I alone knew that he
had but few moments. would let
him enjoy the sweet morning air for a
little while, and then
."One barrel for him; the other for
you'll"
/ could almost have sworn that it
was Pulaski's voice in my ear, yet
startled glance around assured me
that was alone in the shrubbery.
And he was coming down the path to-
ward me. On his breast were several
decorations, for he was never seen
abroad--not even in his garden
without being fully dressed. How
he baubles glittered in the sunlight F!
In few moments his life blood would
blot out their brightness, for he was
coming nearer, and the pistol was in
ny hand now.
My finger trembled on the trigger
ret I would wait moment. He would |
,e nearer; and, besides, the air was
weet, and how beautifully the sun
light sparkled through the spray of
he fountain
Suddenly there was an eager, child
sh shout from the villa, and little
igure dashed out over the portal and
own the path with a cry of "Gran-
'ere!" Such lovely, fairy-like crea-
ure as she was She was like my
title sister, and he swung her up into
is arms and kissed her just as I had
ften kissed Joan ere she died.
He went to the garden seat near by
nd drew her to his knee. How low
ngly she threw her arms about his
eek and patted his cheek with her
my hands! All, how she would feel
hen they found him lying dead in
he gardenl One. might easily see
hat her loving little heart was wholly
iven over to him. 'Twould be pity
D break that little heart, yet even
hen the pistol was turned full upon
i'm.
And while she prattled on, and he
stoned, and watched the two,
1dden tumult arose outside the gar
en-. There were hoarse cries, and I
lie trampling of many feet, and into
he garden the gate OF which the
orter had left open) all covered with
'am and dust, and with the froth
riveling from his savage jaws, dashed
huge, shaggy brute, and rushed up
lie path toward those two on the
at. II
"Mon Dieu !" he cried, and put her
iickly behind him, facing the mad