Connecticut western news., 1895-09-26

fore, but from the lips of this strange individual it took on peculiar charac- ter. There was sound in his voice that made me shudder.
 AS l sat there poking up the smol- dering embers of the fire the conversa- tion of the peasants in the little inn came forcibly back to me. And the moro thought of it the less 1 felt reassured
 This fellow Bridevent did not belong to this part of the country. No one seemed to know where he came from. Beside his ostensible avocation of bar Der, which surely did not bring i'll enough to pay for the wood that burned in the great stove, no one knew of any other means of livelihood that he pos sessed
 And his manner, too, had reused my suspicious. Why had he gone into the other room and closed the door so eau tiously behind him? And those steps had heard, what were they?
 Some one had doubtless been in that room whom he had thought it we'll to get out of the way. All manner of old tales of persons who had disappeared and left no trace behind, of mysterious assassinations at night ill lonely houses, awoke to life in my mind until I began to feel that at any rato it was not pru- dent to help the murderer to his task by offering my throat unprotected to his razors.
 From this moment carefully watch ed every movement of my man. He walked up and down the room, ever stropping his famous razors and every few minutes stopping to listen.
 Every time he passed the half open door saw him look nervously out over the fields to the right and left
 Presently his step became more hur- ried and feverish, and his face betrayed marked impatience. He appeared un- easy, undecided. Was he hesitating?
 ''I began to feel very uncomfortable indeed and cast frequent glances at the door.
 The darkness was coming on rapidly. The room was only lit up by the flicker ing light of the burning wood Long ago the water in the stone jar had be- gun to boil It had half boiled away and was nearly empty.
 Evidently the man was trying to gain tinel Perhaps waiting till tke shadows of fast approaching night would aid him in his ghastly scheme.
 Suddenly he placed the razors upon the edge of the table, looked into the steaming little stone jar, and without a word passed hurriedly into the next room. When he returned, moment later, he found me standing up ready to bring the adventure to the point
 ''All things considered" I began, looking him straight ii the face, 'I do not care to get shaved tonight. It is get ting late, and am expected to dinner. will look in tomorrow morning Here are 50 centimes for the operation. pay in advancep
 But, without appearing to hear me think he was little deaf-he ran to the door again, and putting his head out listened intently for several seconds.
 In the distance could hear the bark ing of dog that was coming nearer and nearer. Suddenly big dog sprang past his legs
 "Down, Ronfot, downl' he cried an grily.
 Then child came in out of breath, with her hair flying like leaves before a storm. She held something in her hand wrapped in paper.
 ''Give it here, quickl" cried Bride vent Monsieur has been waiting ever so long. Here, give it to mel''
 It was Q piece of soapi
 sat down again. All was in readi- ness. Bridevent shaved me, and must honestly say that even if was good deal frightened have never been better shaved in my life.-From the French.