Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1901-10-05

en- upon the little crowd, as II they were
trying to catch the meaning Of the Eng
lish words. But as she pushed, ON. lead.
Ing us both, a litter for the first time ran
from lip to lip. glanced back. and saw
Monsieur Perrier, the avOcat. hurriedly
putting our luggage ON wheelbarrow.
aud preparing to follow Us with 1t along
the dark street.
was too bewildercd yet to feel any
astonishmcnt. We were In France, In n
remote part Of France, and ] did not
know what Frcnchmen would or would
not do. We stopped at last opposite the
large, handsome house, which stood In
the front. In the photograph ! had seen
In London.
ut Is midnight nearly" said Madame
Perrier, us we cnme to a standstill and
waited for her husband, the avOcat.
He passed through the garden gate and
disappeared round the corner Of the
house, walking softly, as II careful not
to disturb the household. At last whe
reappeared round the corner. Carrying a
candle. which hickcred la the wind. Not
u word was spoken by him or his wife us
the latter conducted us towards him. We
were to enter by the back door. that
was evident. She led us into dimly
lighted room. where I could just make
out what appeared to be carpenters
bench, with heap Of wood shavings ~.
ing under 1t.
ut Is lectle cabinet work Of my hus-
band" said Madame Perrlcr; "our cham.
ber IL above, and tho chamber for You
and leetle mecs Is there also. But the
school Is not there. Come on. mees."
We went down the broad gravel walk,
with the pretty garden at the side of us,
where fountain was tinkling ana splash.
Ing busily In the quiet night. But We
passed the front Of the house behind 1t
without stopping ut the door, Madame
led us through cart shed into low,
long. vaulted passage, with doors open
ing on each side; black. villainons look
ing place, with the feeble, Pickering light
of the candle throwing on to the damp
walls II sinister CLEAN. Minima pressed
very close to me, and ] felt Il strange
culver OF apprehension; but the thought
that there was no escape from II, and
no help at hand, nerved mo to follow
quietly to the end.
The end brought us out into mean,
poor street, narrow even where the best
streets were narrow. A small house
stood before us; aud madame unlocked
, the door. We were conducted into a small
kitchen. There was an oil lamp here,
Madame's face was Illuminated by 1t,
There was not a trace Of refinement OF
culture about her. not even the proverb'
| ial taste Of a FrenchwOman In dress. The
kitchen was a picture OF sQualid dirt aud
neglect. Tho few cooking utensils were
scattered about In disorder. The stove
before which we sat was rusty. Could
! DO dreaming Of this filthy dwelling and
this slovenly woman! No; II was all toe
real for me to doubt their existence fol
an instant.
She was pouring out some cold tea into
two little cups, when Monsieur Perriei
made his appearance. his face begrimed
and his shaggy hair uncombed. He stood
In the doorway, rubbing his hands. and
gazing at us untlinchingly with the hard
stare of Norman peasant, whilst he
spoke In rapid, uncouth tones to his wife
I turned away my head. aud shut my eyes
to this unwelcome sight.
EAT, mees," said the woman. bringing
us our food. "rhere Is tea. We give
our pupils and instructresses tea for sup
per at six o'clock; after that there Is nc
more to eat"
| We had the same vaulted passage and
cart shed to traverse on our way back
to the other house. There we We're ush
cred into room containing only two bedi
and our two boxes. ] helped Dlnima Il