The Princeton union., 1901-10-31
In front of the fire s9t q stout, broad
faced, dark skinned man.

faced, dark skinned man.
Catholic priest. His hair was thick
and as yet untouched by the gray of
age, eyes large and strong, and his
countenance, though confessing to good
living, advertised spirit of benevo.
lence and charity. This was Father
Francois Grhe, cure of Mansura, whose
ecclesiastical dominion extended south
ward to the Bayou B@uf. He had
heard a call to the ferry. and later
when the sound of rushing hoofs and
wheels in the road fell upon his ear,
he had peered out into the darkness
but, Notwithstanding the illumination
Of lightning fash, had discovered
nothing. Valsin entered the room
swishing the rain from his broad felt
hat and, stamping his wet and muddy
boots upon the floor, said:
II don't like night like this, father
hot and dripping and heavy. 1t always
makes me feel that something bad is
going to happen"
Keep your soul clean, Valsin," said
the priest, 'and whatever happens on
a night like this cannot be bad for
you"
"Oh, it IS not for myself l
am uneasy, but l think that persons
travelling abroad are sure to meet with
accident, and if man is hurt in the
Magnolia hills on such a night he may
lie there until morning and no one
know of his suffering."
II have just heard some one drive up
from the ferry" observed the priest,
"and pass on toward the hills. Who
was it, Valsin?'
II do not know" replied Valsin Il
did not 60 to the ferry. The boy
Pierre is there tonight. But come, ia
ther; your supper Of chicken. eggs and
coffee is ready. You must be very
hungry after driving so far and wait
ing so long"
THANK you. Valsin. l have an ap-
petite. you may be sure. although am
not impatient, for, you know. am
practiced in fasting"
AS the priest rose to follow his host
to the supper table voice came from
without, calling:
Hello, Valsin! Hello! Hello!'
The dogs Of the yard set up furious
barking
Both men stopped, and Valsin, STEP
ping out on the veranda Of his house,
responded:
Hello yourself! Who is it? Come
inw
II can't until you call your dogs off,"
"Wait; l will be there in q minute.
Here. you rascal, Jacques; get away!
And you, Rosa; go off! Do you want
me to kick you? Now. sir. they won't
bite. They know am here Who is it
I see?'
"Oakfell. valsin.. 1 have to claim
shelter Of you"
"Why. bless my heart, MIR. Horace!
How do you do? am glad to see you,
sir. Come right in." And he grasped
Oakfelps hand and shook it warmly.
"What's happened? Where's your bug
gy?"
Never mind the buggy, Valsin. Let
us get out Of this rain and mud" said
Oakfell, "and then will tell you what
has happened"
ITO be sure, to be sure," said Valsin.
'How foolish Of me to keep you here
at the gate to tell me about it when
you can just as well come inside and
get dry and comfortable and then tell
me and take your own time." And he
led his unexpected guest into the house.
Father Grhe gave Oakfell an affec-
tionate greeting, but, observing that his
face was scratched and his clothing
torn and smeared with mud. manifest
ed anxiety and asked with an air of
concern:
'Why, my son, you have met with an
accident. Are you hurt?
"No, believe have sustained moth
ing beyond rude shaking up. l ar
rived on the Red Queen at Fort De
Roussy this afternoon and. stopping for