Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1898-09-30
CHAPTER v.
A GOOD DEED COMES HOME TO
ROOST

A GOOD DEED COMES HOME nc
ROOST
We dashed through the streets of Bi
dache, arousing the village dogs, ASLEEP
in the yellow sunlight, to chorus Of
disapprobation. About dozen sought
to revenge their disturbed slumbers
and, following the horses, snapped
viciously at their heels; but we soor
distanced them, and, tlinging curse OF
so after us in dog language, they gave
up the pursuit and returned to blink
away the afternoon. 1t was my inten
ton to keep to the right of Ivry, and
after crossing the Eure, head straight
for Paris. which 1 would enter either
by way Of Versailles or ST. Germans, 4,
mattered little what road. and there
was plenty of time to decide.
For a league or SO we galloped along
the undulating ground which sloped to
ward the ford near Ely; but as we be
gan to approach the river, the country
studded with apple orchards and trim
with hedgerows of holly and hawthorn
broke into wild and rugged moorland
intersected by ravines, whose depths
were concealed by tall underground
OF Christ's thorn and hornbeam, willis,
beyond this, in russell, in somber greens
and grays that faded into absolute blue
stretched the forests and woods of Anet
and Croth-Sorel.
| AS we slid, rather than rode, dowr
one of these banks, my horse cast 6
shoe, and this put stop to any fur
Their hard riding, until the mishap coulc
be repaired.
There is a smith at Ely, monsieur
said Jacques, "where we can get what
we want done, and then push on tc
Rouvres, where there is good accom-
mediation at the Grand Cert"
In this manner wo logged along, max
Ing but slow progress, and the sun was
setting when we came into view of the
willow-lined banks of the Eure and en-
tered the walnut groves of the outlying
forest in which Ely lay. AS we ap
preached we saw that the village was
three parts deserted, and the ruined or
chards and smokeless chlmneys told
their own tale. Turning bend OF the
grass-grown road we came upon Il few
children shaking walnuts from tree,
about 200 PAGES from us, whilst man
Ind woman stood hard by observing
them. At the sight of us the woman
burned to the man with an alarmed ges-
ture, and he half drew sword-we saw
the white fash-and then, changing his
mind, ran off into the forest. The chill.
dren followed suit, sliding down the
trunk of the tree and fleeing into the
brushwood, looking for all the world
like little brown rabbits as they dashed
Into the gaps in the thorn.
AS for the woman, she turned slowly
and began to walk toward the village.
"They arevery bashfulhere, jacques
said, quickening my pace.
Except the lady, monsieur" and ther
pc trotted up alongside her.
Refining in, asked if she could direct
me to the blacksmith's, for there
seemed no sign of forage about. She
made no answer, but stopped and stared
at US through her hair, which fell IL
thick masses over her forehead and
neck. AS she did this saw that she
appeared to be of the superior peasant
class, but evidently sunk in poverty
She was young and her features were
SO correct that, with circumstances 6
little altered, she would have beer
more than ordinarily good looking
At present, however, the face was war
with privation, and there was fright
ened look in her eyes. repeated my
question in as gentle tone as could
command, and she found tongue.
neutrality-suspicious. will guide
you"
20! That is all very WE'LL" begar
Jacques, but I interrupted him, won
dering o little to myself what thi.
meant.
Every well, and thanks"
She dropped q courtesy, and ther
asked, with timid eagerness:
Monsieur does not come from thu
Blaisois?"
''AIa fol! Mol This is hardly tn,
way from the Orleannois-but lead on
please, 1t grows late"
She glanced up again, q suspicion IL
her eyes, and then without another