The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-01-20
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Imogen clark, in New York Evening
Post: Geryalse, who had but just re-
turned after all those years of absence
was recounting his adventures as only
GertaIse knew how. For when he talks,
look you, he has the words OF a rnagi-
clan. He can make you see things with
your very eyes-the desert sands. the
green OF the jungle, the snow on the
high peaks and-more than all else-the
great sea !tseif. now calm and shining
like some giants 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 or sing, as he wills
each 50 different from the other that
you would declare twas not Gervalse
at ali who was speaking. You may ask
any one II this is not so.
1t was hard. therefore. In the midst Of
his marvellous story when all his hear
ers-ffom Pere Duval in the corner to
little Tony. who should have been in
bed hours berore-were craning for
ward breathIessly SO as not to lose q
single word. that there should be an in
terruption. From without there came
the clatter OF sabOts and before any one
could turn. suddenly in the dlnly
lighted room a strange. distorted shape
was hunE upon the wall reaching from
floor to ceiling. The group OF listeners
huddled closer in dismay, the bobbing
shadow was like some fatal genius that
for the moment made them ley cold
with fear; even the speaker himself 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 bat
and incidentally to keep herself warm.
Just commonplace. bustling Marie Pie
guard full OF that air OF Importance
which, the whole village knows, IS as
much q 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
welcome. Tony, in the noise that fol-
lowed her entrance. slipped eeI-1lke be-
meath the settle and lay there. blinking
out with his bright. black eyes, but his
mother had no thought of him. She
looked around like one who has great
news to communicate and delays i'm
parting Il 10 make II the mora appre-
ciated in the. end. That was always her
way.
-old Jean has come to be a 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. las well say the sea is
wet by reason of the water. He has
been child this long time"
HE has not. He has been both child
and old man. but more the latter, as
any one will bear me witness. Now, he
has lost his grasp completely on to-
day. 1t has slipped through his fingers
like a knouess 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, It is morning again to him. He!
he can run now Il he will. Step out
brlskly. old Jean-petit Jean-its a
short play time thou'lt have, mon en-
FAINT. before thowrt 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 enter
talnment.
who is veuve Capet?" she demand
ed, after moment
There was no response to her aues-
lion. though she scanned the faces Of
those around her for some sign. Ger
yalse. alone Of all the company. appear
ed to have heard her; he met her glance
with a bright smile as he shook his
head. He was a nice lad, that Ger
valse!
81 tried to think as came along, but
NOT one Capet have I known. 1t ig not
a name Of this village. or this canton
even. And yet he says 1t again and
again, and always with that same slow
smile. Some early love, perhaps-who
knows?"
Pere Duval chuckled over his pipe.
"old Jean in love-" he crOaked, "old
Jean. It's thou. Marie Picuuard, wh'