The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1899-02-10


cned look in her eyes. 1 repeated my
question in as gentle a tone as could
command, and she found tongue.
"Monsieur-pardon- will guide
you"
20! That is all very WELL" began
Jacques, but interrupted him, Won
dering little to myself what this
meant.
Every we'll, and thanks"
She dropped courtesy. and then
asked, with q timid eagerness:
Monsieur does not come from the
Blaisois?"
''Ma fol! No! This is hardly the
way from the Orleannois-but lead on,
please, itgrows late"
She glanced up again, a suspicion in
her eyes. and then without another
word went on before us. We followed
her down the winding, grass-grown
lane. past few struggling cottages
where not soul was visible. and up
through the narrow street, where the
sight of us drove the few wretched in
habitants into their tumble-down
houses. as if we had the plague itself at
our saddle bows. Finally we stopped
before cottage of some pretensions to
size, but decayed and worn. as all else
was in this village. which seemed but
half alive. Over the entrance to the
cottage hung faded signboard, mark
ing that it was the local hostelry. and to
the right was small shed, apparently
used as workshop, and here the smith
was, seated on a rough bench. gazing
into space.
He rose at our approach and made as
if he would be off; 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: "Morbleu! But it is we'll we
have time to mend our trouble and
make Rouvres-thanks, my girl" am
bending from the saddle. offered our
guide a coin. She fairly snatched at it,
and then, coloring up, turned and ran
into the inn. 1 threw another coin to
the smith, and babe him set about shoe
ing the horse.
He shuffled 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, land have to 60 OIL can
not stay here"
Gas monsieur chooses" answered the
clod; "but you see-I have nothing
ready-and I am slow now-I cannot
help it."
This is devil of place." ex-
claimed, resigning myself to circum-
stances, and dismounting. handed the
reins to Jacques. AS 1 did so heard
voices from the inn, one apparently
that of a girl, and the other that of
man, and it would seem that she was
urging something; but what it was
could not catch, nor was curious as to
the point of discussions; but it struck
me that as we had to wait here two
hours it would be well to inquire if
could get some refreshments for our
selves, and feed for the beasts. For
answer to my question got gruff "go
and ask my daughter" from the smith.
who turned as he spoke and began to
tumble with his tools. I felt my tenn
per rising holly, but stayed my arm,
and bidding Jacques keep an eye on the
horses stepped toward the door of the
inn. AS put my hand on it to press it
open, some one from within made an
effort to keep it shut; but was in no
mood to be trifed 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 it was the girl. who was try
ing to bar me out. Ashamed of the vi
olence had shown began to apol-
ogize, whilst she stood before me
her elbow, and her face
flushed and red. The room was
bare and drear beyond description.
There were q couple of rough tables, a
chair or SO, an iron pot simmering over
a fire green wood, whose pungent odor
filed the chamber. In a corner a man
lay apparently asleep, a tattered cloak
drawn over his features, so as to entire
~ conceal them. I felt in a 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. I ad-
dressed the girl:
Il am truly sorry and hope you arc
not hurt; had I known it was you II
should have been gentler. I have but
come to ask if can get some wine for
and food for the horses
at is nothing" she stammered, 81 am