The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1898-07-14

killed, by the low branches of the trees
which crisscrossed thickly above my
head.
In this position and clinging tightly
to both name and pommel could see
behind me. The hounds continued their
thunderous baying, when, suddenly
bursting through the dense thicket, I
saw tremendous wolf emerge, closely
followed by the furious dogs Straight
on it came after me. Could it be giving
me chase? The werewolfp' murmur-
ed and closed my eyes in an agony Of
terror.
How long that mad ride lasted new
er knew. When awoke as from long
sleep, which was in reality a deep
swoon, found myself in the midst of
clearing in an unknown part of the for
est, while the moon poured its rays full
into my face lighting up the space
around me with brilliancy. Horse, dogs
and wolf had disappeared. Twas alone.
Slowly regaining my senses found,
| to my surprise, that l was absolutely
uninjured, and as started to my feet
! in bewilderment, wondering which way
| to turn, | felt gentle touch upon my
shoulder. Turning, with suppressed
shrek, saw an old man, beggar he
seemed to be by the poverty of his
clothing, standing tall and straight in
the moonlight before me. saw him
plainly. l see him plainly today in
memory. In one hand he held gourd,
and fastened to his shoulders was
knapsack. SPECIFICS with terror,
started to run. 'Do not flee, sweet an
gel of France he said in the gentlest
Of tones, speaking the familiar patois
! of Brittany. "You will only lose your
way. Let me guide you home, for l
know all the forests paths. . He wait
ed a few moments for my reply, but /
was too overcome by emotion to articu-
late, and he continued, still in his ma
tive tongue: II have watched over your
slumber for an hour, and in two hours
v,nre it will be midnight Tell me your
destination, pray, that may lead you
thither without delay"
stammered the name of the manor
house.
"Ah, that is your home, is it?'' he
exclaimed. "Follow me, then, little
fairy Of the manor, sweet little angel
of Francep' And obeyed, keeping close
behind him in the darkness, with my
fears allayed by the excessive gentle.
ness of his manner.
1t was only at the end of long, long
hour that we emerged from the forest
Across the moor / saw with joy the IA
miliar outline of the castle standing up
In bold but ghostly whiteness against
the deep black of the trees not 100 yards
away.
"Come in with me, said at last,
timidly addressing my strange guide
for the first time. ''Come in with me
and rest and be refreshed with meat
and wine. l want to reward you, too,
for your kindness in taking this long,
weary walk out of your way to oblige
me. +"
The old mendicant shook his head as
if in anger.
mo, no, no, J." he repeated vehement
ly. 81 want nothing, will accept moth
ing" But after few moments hesita-
ton he added with almost angelic sweet
ness, "Your eyes have given me SO
great joy that need nothing more, :"
and he turned hastily back toward the
forest.
Drawing a small silken purse from
my pocket, in which 1 had that morn
ing placed four gold coins, / ran after
the singular old man and begged his &C
ceptance Of it as remembrance, not as
reward, and placed it coaxingly in
his hand.
Tears stood in his eyes as he slowly
lifted the silken meshes to his lips, and
then, to my amazement, he held it to-
ward my mouth. Mechanically obeyed
his silent gesture and i'll my turn
kissed the little purse. Swiftly placing
it in his bosom then, without word,
without a sound, he sprang into the
woods and disappeared as if by magic
beneath the trees.
The next day and for many days fol-
lowing Gruigny and explored the coun-
try for miles around in vain search
for the mysterious old man, whose pa
thetic, even mystic admiration had
both touched and thrilled me the night
before, but no one had ever seen or
heard of such being No one answer