Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1898-12-08

used as workshop, and here the smith
was. seated on rough bench, gazing
into space.
He rose at our approach and made as
IL he would be of; but his daughter, as
the young woman turned out to be,
gave him a sign to stay, and he halted
muttering something could not catch,
and as looked at the gloomy figure of
the man, and the musty inn, / said out
loud: 'Morbleul But 1t is well we
have time to mend our trouble and
make Rouvres-thanlxs. my girl" am
bending from the saddle, offered our
guide coin. She fairly snatched at it.
and then, coloring up, turned and ran
into the inn. ! threw another coin 70
the smith, and babe him set about shoe
ing the horse.
He shuffied this way and that and an
swered duly that he would do the job
willingly, but it would take time--two
hours.
"But it will be night by them" ex-
postulated, "and have to go on--I can
not stay here"
clod; but you see-I have nothing
ready-and | am slow now-l cannot
help it."
This is a devil of a place." ex-'
claimed, resigning myself TO circum-
stances. and dismounting, haadcG the
reins to Jacques. As did so hecri
voices from the inn, one apparently
that Of a girl, and the other that OF
man. and il would seem that she was
urging something: but what il was
could not catch. nor was curious as to
he point of discussion; but it struck
me that as we had to wait here two
hours it would be well to inquire II
could get some refreshments for our
selves, and feed for the beasts. For
answer to my question got grnh e"
and ask my daughter" from the smith,
who turned as he spoke and began 10
| tumble with his tools. ! FELT my TEN
per rising hotiy, but stayed my arm.
and bidding jacques keep an eye on me
horses stepped toward the door OF the
inn. As put my hand on II to press !;
open. some one from within made an
effort to keep II shut; but was in no
mood to be trifled with further. and.
pushing back the door without further
ceremony. stepped in. In doing so
thrust some one back yard or so. and
found that il was the girl. who was try
ing to bar me out. Ashamed Of the vi
olence had shown began to apoI
ogize, whilst she stood before me
rubbing her elbow, and her face
flushed ana rcd The room WINS
bare and drear beyond description.
There were a couple of rough tables, a
chair or so, an iron pot simmering over
lire of green wood. whose pungent odor
| filed the chamber. In corner man
lay apparently asleep, uttered cloak
drawn over his features, SO as 10 entire
| ~ conceal them. | felt in moment
| that this was the stranger who had fled
OH our approach and that he was play
| ing fox. Guessing there was more be-
hind this than appeared, but not show
ing my suspicious in the least, ad-
dressed the girl:
Il am truly sorry and hope you are
not hurt; had known it was you |
should have been gentler. ! have Tut
come 10 ask If | can get some wine for
ourselves and food for the horses"
lit is nothing" she stammered, Il am
not hurt. There is but little soup
here. and for the borses-the grass that
grows outside
-There is some wine there at any
rate" and | rested my eye on horn
Gun. down whose side a red drop was
trickIing. and then let il fall on the still
figure in the corner of the room.
There is no fear" | continued, 'yon
will be paid. do not look like gen.
tIeman of the road. trust.
She shrank back at my words. and 1t
spueared as If hand moved suddenly
under the cloak OF the man, VINO tay
feirninr sleep in the room, and the
quick movement was as if he had
clutched the haft of dagger. | was
never a brawler or blusterer. and least
of all did wish TO worry these poor
people. but the times were such that a
mans safety lay chiefly in himself Tor
the wri, of The king ran weak in the out
lying districts. The whole business,
100. was so strange, that was de-
termIneu 10 fatnUll IL. ana unDucklihg
my sword. placed it on table, SO as TO
be ready on the instant. and then, seat
ing myself on stool beside 1t, SAID
somewhat sharply:
Enough. my girl; get me some wine.
and rake out some to my servant This
| will pay for it, and | rang fat crown
piece on the table. Hurry your father
Il you can. and will be gone the mo-
ment my horse is shod."
Ny tone was one not to be denied,
and taking up the money, she turned to
cupboard. and with shaking fingers
drew a bottle therefrom and placed il
before me. Filling a cup asked her to
hear it back to Jacques, and then lean
inc back against the wall, took pull
AZ my goblet. and judge of my surprise
when / found | was tasting nothing
MORT Of diArbois of the '92 vintagel