The Saint Paul globe., 1900-01-28

GeryaiSe, who had but just rcturneSi
after all those years of absence, was re-
counting his adventures as only Gervaise
knew how. For when he talks, look you.
he has the words of a magician. He can
make you see things with your very eyes
the desert sands, the green of the jun
gle, the snow on the high peaks and
more than all else-the great sea itsef.
now calm and shining like some giant S
mirror of polished steel, now full OF
sounding fury 1t matters not. And as
for men-why, they are but puppets in
his hands-they laugh or cry, swear OF
sing, as he Wills eacn so different from
the other that you would declare twas
not Gervaise at all who was speaking.
You may ask any one if this is not so.
1t was hard, therefore, in the midst OF
his marvellous story when all his hearers
from Pere Duval in the corner to little
Tony who should have been in bed hours
before-were craning forward breath
lessly so as not to lose single word,
that there should be an interruption.
From without there came the clatter of
sabots and before any one could turn sud
denly in the dimly lighted room a strange,
distorted shape was flung upon the wall
reaching from floor to ceiling. The group
of listeners huddled closer in dislnay, the
bobbing shadow was like some fatal
genius that for the moment made them
Icy cold with fear; even the speaker him
self was constrained to silence.
And after all 1t was only Marie Pic
guard with her shawl drawn over her
cap to give her the appearance Of a bat
and incidentally to keep herself warm.
Just commonplace, bustling Marie Pic
guard full Of that air of Importance
which, the whole village knows. is as
much a part of her as her skin. A sigh
of relief went up as she advanced into
the circle, though her coming under the
circumstances was not particularly wei
come. Tony, in the noise that followed
her entrance, slipped eel-like beneath the
settle and lay there blinking out with his
bright. black eyes, but his mother had nc
thought of him. She looked around like
ene who has great news to communicate
and delays imparting it to make it the
more appreciated in the end. That was
always her way.
''Old Jean had come to be little child
again. she said at last; for the rest he
knows nothing-but there is no pain"
"And is that all?' Pere Duval grum-
bled. testify. "As we'll say the sea is
wet by reason of the water. He has been
child long time"
He has not He has been both child
and old man, but more the latter, as
any one Will hear me witness Now, he
has lost his grasp completely on today
81; ~, n.
a knotless thread. For, look you, one
can't hold shadows, and his life has been
late twilight these many years, shut
away from the world as he has been
chained to his bed. But he cares not
1t Is morning again with him. He! he can
run now If he will. Step out briskly, old
Jean-petit Jean-it's a short playtime
thou'lt have, mon enfant, before thou'rt
called home"
She sat down laboriously- and rubbed
her work-knotted hands together, dis
regarding the fact that her companions
had met for other purposes of entertain
ment.
Who is Veuve Capet?Y she demanded
after moment.
There was no response to her question
though she scanned the faces of those
around her for some sign. Gervaise
alone of all the company, appeared tt
have heard her; he met her glance with {
bright smile as he shok his head. He wa
nice lad, that Gervaise
II tried to think as I came along, bu
rot one Capet have I known. 1t is not {
name of this village, or this canton even
And yet he says it again and again, and
always with that same slow smile. Som
early love, perhaps-who knows?"
Pere Duval chuckled over his pipe.
''Old Jean in love- he clloked, "olt
Jean! 'Tis thou, Marie Picquard, wht
hast come into thy second childhood t
say such a thing"
"And why not he as well as another
Is he so different from US, though, he 4
old-old? Where there are ashes Their
must have been fire once. Besides, yo'
men write many names In your hearts
while it is true we women bear but on
to the end. Old Jean is a man after all.
81 had forgotten him completely" Ger
vaise said; there was no word concerning
him this noon from any of you when
asked for the home news, and you men
toned all the others. 1 thought he wa
dead years since, he was already so OIL
and feeble when I went away"
''.Tts the creaking door hangs longest
as every one knows. We had almost for
gotten him, too, and the good God like
wise, it seemed. Always in his attic h
stayed from year to year, making so littl
noise that one scarcely remembered n
was there He was so still, like the mer
shadow of a man. And there was no on
belonging to him; no, not one Well, he
going soon. A few more days now, afte
waiting all this time, will not seem long.
''It is not long, anyway" Gervaise In
terrupted softly.
Pere Duval laughed.
Because thou art young and In lov
with life tchou sayest that. Well, wei
short or long, it's done with some time
thank God. Go on with the tale, lad"
But Gervaise, it seemed, had lost all III
terest in his adventures and the adors
ton they evoked about him. 1t was as
a chill hand had gripped him, closin
Homecoming was marred by this omer
homecoming was marred by this omer
He crossed himself hurriedly.
Another time, another time. l an
tired now, and, indeed, 1t is the turn o
some one else. Tell us instead Of oil
Jean, If there be aught to tell. When
was a boy 1 used to- jeer at him as n
sat in the sun, but he had no reproache!
perhaps he did not heed-Iy know not
''It was all one TO him, the boys AWAY
mocked him, did it myself, and / al
of thy fathers day. Well, what woul