The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-09-07

with water, preparatory to shaving.
| Don't fear to burn the wood. Wood is
not expensive in the country. 1t only
costs the trouble of gathering it,"
Then he opened cabinet and took out
pair OF razors, which he began to strop
conscientiously.
Famous razors these, monsieur. This
one especially is an English razor, which,
if properly ground, coul cut your neck
through without splitting drop OF >oua
blood"
This pleasantly had often heard before
but from the lips of this strange inlvri-
ual it To TX on IL peculiar character. There
WAS II sound in his voice that m ulp me-
shudder
AS | sat there poking up the smold-
erlnG embPrs of the five the convers, =
ton of the peasants in the little inn
came fOrcibly back to me- And the
more | thought of it the less | felt re-
assured.
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 barber,
which surely did not bring in 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 well to get
out of the way. all manner of old tales
OF persons who had disappeared and left no
trace behind, of mysterious assassnatons
at night in lonely houses, awoke to life in
my mind until began to feel that at any
rate it was not prudent to help the muir
derer to his task by Offering my throat I'M
protected to his razors.
From this moment carefully watched
every movement of my man. He walked
up and down the room, ever stropping his
famous razors and every few minutes stop
ping 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 hurried
and feverish, and his face betrayed marked
impotence. He appeared uneasy, unde-
| cided. Was he hesitating?
| began to feel very uncomfortable in
deed and cast frequent glances at the door.
The darkness was coming on rapidly.
The room was only lit up by the tlickering
light OF the burning wood. Long ago the
water in the stone jar had begun to boil.
II had boiled away and was nearly empty
Evidently the man was trying to gain
time. Perhaps waiting till the shadows of
fast approaching night would aid him in
his CHASTITY scheme.
Suddenly he place the razors upon the
edge of tie table, looked into the steaming
stone jan, and without word passed hur-
riedly into the next room. When he re-
turned, moment later, he found me
standing up ready to bring the adventure
to the point.
"All things considered began, look
ing him straight in the face, II do not care
to get shaved tonight 1t is getting late,
and am expected to dinner. | will look
in tomorrow morning. Here is 80 centmes
for the operation. pay in advance"
But, without appearing to hear mel
think he was little deaf-he ran to the
door, and putting his head out listened
intently for several seconds.
In the distance | could hear the barking
of dog that was coming nearer and
nearer Suddenly Il big dog sprang past
his legs.
Down, Rontlot, down." he cried an
grily.
Then child came in out of breath, with
her hair flying like leaves before a storm.
She held something i'll her hand wrapped
in paper.
Give it here, quick cried Bridevent.
'Monseur has been waiting ever so long.
Here, give it to me!'
1t was piece of soap!
| sat down again. All was in readiness
Bridevent shaved ME, and must honestly
say that even if was good deal fright
ened | have never been better shaved in
my ife.-From the French.
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