The Holly chieftain., 1899-02-10
prosched we saw tia. The viliae.

pfOscneo VIC Nv tnat the viila&o
three parts deserted. and the ruined
chards and smokeless chimpeys told
their own tale. Turning . bend Of the
grass-grown road we came upon few
children shaking walnut, from . tree.
about 200 pacss from US, whilst . man
and . woman stood bard by observing
them. At the sight OF Us the woman
turned to the nan With an alarmed ges-
ture. and he half drew sword-we saw
the white nash-and then, changing hi.
mind. ran OF into the forest. The chi:-
dren followed suit sliding down the
trunk Of the tree and fleeing into the
brushwood. locking for all the world
like little brown rabbits "a they dashed
into the gaps in the thorn.
Al for the woman, she turned slowly.
and began to walk toward the village.
"They are very bash here, jacques =
1 sI,id, qulckeiing my pace.
"Except the hdy, monsieur - and then
We trotted up alongside her.
Refining In. asked II she could direct
me to tho hlnckamith's, for there
seemed no sign Of forage about. She
made no nnswer. but stopped and stared
at us through her hair, which fell In
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
10 correct that, with circumstances a
little altered. she wonld have been
more than ordinarily good looking.
At present. however, the face was wan
with privation. and there was a fright
cned look In her eycs. repeated my
question In as gentle tone as could
command. and she found tongue.
"Monsieur-pardoa-I will guide
you"
"Oi That is NIL very well,- began
jacques. but interrupted him, won
dering o little TO myself what this
meant.
every well, and thanks"
She dropped courtesy. and then
asked. with timid eagerness:
"Monsieur does not come from the
Blaisois?"
"Ma fol! MOL This is hardly the
way from the Orlcannois-b lead on
please, It grows 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-growu
lane. past few struggling cottages
where not q soul was visible, and up
through the narrow street, where the
sight OF US drove the few wretched in.
habitants into their tumble-dowu
houses. ns II we had the plague itself al
our saddle bows. Finally we stopped
before n cottage Of some pretensions to
size, but dccaycd and worn. as all else
was IN this village, which seemed but
half nlive. Over the entrance to the
cottage hung faded signboard. mnrk
Ing that It was the local hostelry. and Il
the right was small shed. apparently
used as q workshop. and here the smith
was. seated on rough bench. gazing
into space.
He rose Mt our approach and mnde a
II he would be of; but his daughter. a.
the young woman turned out 10 be
gave him o sign to stay. and he haltet
muttering something could not catch
and as looked at the gloomy figure o
the man, and the musty inn. said or
loud: "Morbleui But It Is well ",
have tme 70 mend our trouble and
mako Rouvres-thanks, my girl" an,
bending from the saddle. offered oul
guide coin. She fairly snatched at II
and then, coloring up. turned and rar
into the inn. threw another coin Il
the smith. and bade him set about shoe
ing the horse.
He shuffied this way and that and an
swered DULY that he would do the jol
willingly. but It would take time-tw,
hours.
But II will be night by them" ex
postulated, "and have to 60 on-I can
not stay here"
"As monsieur chooses" answered th.
clod; 'but you see-I have nothing
ready-and ] am slow now-I canno
help It."
"This il a devil Of place." I az
claimed. resigning myself to circum
stances, and dismounting. handed tn,
reins to Jacques. Az did so heart
voices from the inn, one apparently
that Of girl, and the other that of .
innn, and II would seem that she wal
urging something; but what It was
could not catch. nor was curious AZ Il
the point Of discussion; but II strucl
me that as we had to wait here tws
hours It would be well TO inquire II ]
could get some refreshments for our
selves. and . feed for the beasts. Fo,
answer to my question got gru6 "gf
and ask my daughter" from the smith
who turned rs he spoke and began u
tumble with his tools. felt my tenn
per rising hotly, but stayed my arm
and bidding Jacques keep an eye on thu
horses stepped toward the door Of ths
inn. Az put my hand on II TO press Il
open, some one from within made ~
effort to keep It shut; but I was In ne
mood to be trifed with further. and
pushing back the door without furthe,
ceremony. stepped In. In doing 20
thrust some one back yard or so. an6
found that II was the girl. who was try
ing to bar me out. Ashamed Of the VI
olence I had shown began TO apol
o9ize, whilst she stood before me
rubbing her elbow. and her face
flushed and red. Tho room wal
bare and drear beyond description
There were couple of rough tables. =
chair or SO. an iron pot simmering over
fire eofgreen wood, whose pungcnt odo,
filed the chamber. In corner a mar
lay apparently asleep, tattered CLOAK
drawn over his features, 80 Is to entire