The farmers' union. (Memphis, Mo.) 1891-1895, 1894-07-19

bearing hi. name, all three in the top
drawer to the right.
1T is hardly necessary for me to
tell you.' he added. that YOU must
not examine these pare even SUI err
ticially."
These words offended me, and
i made a motion to turn away, but Saint
Gerry laid his emo, nous palm on my
! shoulder and mutte,ed out.
"Pardon me, | didn t know what
was saying my mind was wandering -
[ trust you implicitly"
half rcpented OF my acceptance as
| fixed my eyes upon that almost ogre
like countenance. but it was too late
now.
Something detained me at the post,
and it was not until nearly sunset that
| rode out Q the town. The weather
was superb and | was in the best of
spin it as | skirtcd the fields on an cay
lOpc. listening to the twittering of the
birds and measured clank of my saber
against my boot. Tn, read entered a
forest, and pulled my horse up to Il
walk. At times the branches sweC
my cheek. The birchen odor carried
mo back to my childhood, and | broke
| OF Il twig and began to ch wv it, fra
grant bark. l loitered by the way and
gave myself over to an unaccouhtablc
feeling Of content with Ii c, Il tumultu-
GUS upswelling of physical satisfaction,
q sort o: intOxicatiOn from viEl
strength, and in so doing lost my
way. But didn't caro-. | was rather
glad of it, for the moon rose in mag
nticent fu lness. and it occurred to me
that with the nightingales singing in
the boslly undcrgrowths | should have
! III, 80. L. IL ~
! AS | drew near to the Saint-Gery es
| tate, | fell in with solitary rider
y, whom from something he let drop in
Roger, the man in charge of the place.
and without making myself Or my err
rand known IT, him. | strove t. draw
him into conversation concerning
Saint-Gery's remarkable abandonment
of such fine old chateau: but the man
was so olitic a scrvito" and so guarded
in his replies that had only my trou-
bic for my pains.
1t was now IL o'clock and my long
ride had sharpencd my aore tie tire
mcndously. At my invitation. Roger
consented t. JOIN me with a glass tf
wine at the roadside inn. although he
excused himself from eating anything
The table had been set on the veran.
da. and the night was so beautiful
that we sat there smoking and chat
ting until after II. Suddenly. as |
drew Saint-Gery's letter out of my
pocket. to my ama7cmcnt | noticed
that he had sealed it. | was SO sur
prissd and irrita.eu that | was half in
cline1 to mount my horse and return
to Rouen without the letters. but il
occurred to me that such Il course
| Il 1,> l. l., s
again. perhaps Saint-Gcry might have
sc died the letter in Il moment OF alb
>cnt-mindedness. ina le an excuse t.
walk toward the park. and "a we came
in sight of the OLD chateau it was quite
light enuugh to see that the place was
sadly run down. the paths overyrown
the hedges neglected. the garden filled
with wee IS. Turning to Roger.
placed Saint-Gery's letter in his hand.
he gave sudden start, but As quickly
recovered him.elf and withdrew into
the gardeners lodge to read it.
We'll. sir, what do You wish" he
stammered out. as he reappeared Il,
the door moment later.
You ought to know" said |. rather
sharply. Il suppose you have read
Your masters orders. | desire to &C
inside the chateau: get ne a lamp a.
once.
He caught his breath and his lip.
fell apart. Into the chateau" he re
peated: "iuto his ROOM
WELL called out. angrily. for
was now thoroughly cut OF patiencs
do you presume TO question me-
oh. mono. sir he almost gasped
only it i impossible. the place i.
Ice ed. ouble-locked and barred: III
Iowerless to act: Monsieur has the
kcyS.
You are wrong. | have them" sale
|. calmly but firmly. Oct me lamp
at Cnce and lead the way 10 the door
The man seemed to be iahoring I'm
der some dreadful anxiet,. but | toot
but little note OF his manner l wa:
we'll arm Ell, and k ,pt my eye on him
As | advanced TO set the key in tbs
door. be plucked up courage to make 8
last attempt 10 stay my progre $. bu
this impertinent opposition on his l.ar
now roi ed ne IL such All extent that
taking TIE lamp out OF the man,
: hands. pushed him violently aside
He .tayscred back. utterly limp ans
| helO,e =. his face as IMAGINED