Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-13

sit on the lake bottom holding my breath
! until Skenedonk had been known to dive
for me.
When next sensed anything at all it
was a feeling of cold.
thought was lying in one of the shall
low runlets that come into Lake George
and the pebbles were an uneasy bed, chill
ing my shoulders. was too stiff to move,
or even turn my head to lift out of water
the ear on which it rested. But could
unclose my eyelids, and this is what I saw
"a man naked TO his waist, half reclining
against a leaning slab of marble, down
which a layer Of water constantly moved.
His legs were clothed, and his other
garments lay across them. His face had
sagged in my direction. There was deep
slash across his forehead, and he showed
his teeth and his CLASSY eyes at the joke.
Beyond this silent figure was woman
as silent. The ridge of his body could not
hide the long hair spread upon her breast.
I considered the company and the mois-
ture into which had fallen with un-
speakable Amusement. We were in a low
and wide stone chamber with a groined
ceiling, supported by stone pillars. A row
of lamps was arranged above us, so that
no trait or feature might escape a be-
holder
That we were put there for show entered
my mind slowly and brought indignation.
To be so helpless and so exposed was an
outrage against which struggled in
nightmare impotence; for was bare to
nv hips also, and I knew not what other
marks 1 carried beside those which had
Scared me all my conscious life.
Now in the distance, and echoing, feet
descended stairs.
I knew that people were coming to look
at us. and could not move muscle in
resentment
1 heard their voices. fringed with echoes,
before either speaker came within my Wis
ion.
This is the mortuary chapel Of the
Hotel Dieu?'
eyes, monsieur the marquis. this is the
mortuary chapel
uni Cheerful placer
much more cheerful than the bottom-of
the river. monsieur the marquis.
NO doubt Never empty. eh?''
''I have been servant OF the Hotel Dieu
IA years, monsieur the marquis. and have
not vet seen all the marble slabs vacant"
you receive the bodies Of the drown
ed?'
.'And place them where they my be
seen and claimed
How long do you keep them?
THAT depends. Sometimes their friends
seek them at once. We have kept body
three months in the winter season, though
he turned very green"
Are all in your present collection gath
! ering verdure?'
! mo, monsieur. We have a very fresh
one, just brought in; big stalwart fellow,
with the look Of the country bout him.
Small clothes?''
Eyes. monsieur"
Buckle shoes?"
Yes. monsieur"
Hair light and very long?"
THE very man. monsieur the marquis.
81 suppose I shall have to look at him.
II he had TO make himself unpleasant he
should have stayed at the chateau where
his mother could identify him. He is
one of my peasants, come to Paris to see
Iifei must hold my nose and do it."
1T is not necessary to hold ,.ie nose,
monsieur"
AFTER IA years. perhaps not"
heard the snap Of a snun-box lid as
the marquis fortified himself.
Ny agony for 1.-THE woman who was to
be looked at turned so sharp that utter
: ed a click in my throat. But they passed
her. and merely glanced at my next neigh
Dor.
The old marquis encountered my fixed
stare Visibly il shocked him. He was all
gray, and curled and powdered, instead
l OF being clipped close and smooth in the
/ style OF the empire; an exquisite, thin
! featured man. high OF nose and eyebrows,
not large. but completely turned out as