Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-06-29
Copyright
Continued from yesterdays issue)
CHAPTER VIII.
AT THE CROIX DOR.


1t had become quite dark by the time
they reached Mayenne; that is TO say,
il was dark in the narrow. twisting
street that led from the town gate. Gil
lonne felt that she had better wait un-
til morning before she went in search
of her cousin. But at the Croix dor
there was far more light; for the dirty
looking hostel stood on a bit OF waste
beside the town, and had no houses
near it.
A stout, fair haired woman, with
handsome. shameless blue eyes, came
out to receive them--this was the hes
tess-and she flung both arms around
Gaspard when he dismounted.
Welcome, welcome, my soldier!" she
cried. You are truly sight to heal
sore eyes
He kissed her heartily and inquired
for the patron.
''Eh-the imbecile, He is at Javron
may Joy go with him! He has to
take a wagon lead of states TO Lisieux
for the roof of the Maison Valois.' She
caught sight of Gillonne's cloaked fig
ure-"Holy Virgin! what have we
here?"
.'Pouf! she's only some one | have
to escort home to her friends here IN
Mayenne."
The woman came forward; she held
I'D the candle she carried, till the light
fell full on Gillonne's pale, plain face;
then she turned away with laugh.
rs that all? No younger than that.
You good-for- nothing, | thought | had
caught you at your tricks again! :
Then to Gillonne: Welcome, mad
anne" She courtesied. will you like
to come and see your chamber
Gillonne was tired by her long ride,
and she gladly followed the woman in
to the house and up some dirty stairs.
The room above was a miserable garnet,
open to the rafters, here and there she
saw wide cracks between the planks OF
the dirty floor The bed, however,
looked fairly clean. Gillonne seated
herself on a rough bench, and the
hostess sat down the light she carried
on a table in the window.
i" Twill fetch madame when supper is
served, or else l will see Henriot.'
THANK you, madame, but | am over
tired; crust of bread and cup OF
wine will be enough. | can eat here II
you will send it to me-"
She shrank from the touch of the
shapely hands busy in christening her
cloak.
The woman seemed to feel this; she
looked fxedly at Gillonne's dark-brow-
ed, ascetic face, Redeemed, and said with
a scott:
Bread and wine, say you mother?
Mon Dieul we can better that at the
CroiX dor. We keep no fast days
here. good dame!" Gaspard's voice
came loudly up the stairs. There,
there, be patient; come-I come"
Louise, Louise, where have you hid
den yourself? | want wine-wine-the
best you can ind in the cellar! I'll
wager the patron has left you the
key"
Gillonne was glad to be left alone.
She found it difficult TO shut her eyes
to the unsavory talk that came up from
the room below. She went to the win
dow and looked out; there was not
much light, but she saw below her a
yard round which the house seemed to
be built Sounds from an open door
in the opposite building showed her
that it was the stable, but while she
looked an appetizing fume from below
told her that supper was in progress,
and somewhat of a lull came in the
laughing dialogue between Gaspard and
his hostess.
The woman came presently upstairs,