Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1902-03-15
Observation-Disclosures iLSs
The Story of Henri.
Copyright. 1902 by Daily story Publishing Company

The child lived In an old chateau,
built of some soft, gray stone that
time had mellowed to exquisitely ten
der tints. Old poplars rustled drow-
silly, broad terraces, kissed by the sun,
sloped down to a clear brook that lol-
tered through the green fields and the
woodlands until it sharply turned to-
wards the village. The child often sat
on the bank in moonlight nights and
watched the stars, reflected in the
stream Then he would wonder whence
it came and whittier 1t would go and
wish it would tell its secrets to him
instead of to the round, white peb-
bles In it's bed and to the waving
blades of grass, that bent to listen
But in daytime he would wander noise
lessiy through the darkened rooms OF
the chateau. In the picture gallery
ray of sunshine sometimes stole
through the barred shutters and danced
on the opposite wall. The child
thought that the boys and girls in the
dark frames must De tired OF their
fixed positions. Their elders, doubt
less, liked the dignified repose but
surely little Marie-Eustachie, in the
pink brocade, would sometimes long to
lay down her rose and the small
Charles Louis would gladly take his
hand from the sword-hilt he had
pressed so long. The child knew the
names of ail-Tante Amelie had told
him-Tante Amelie, who, in her sun
ny room at the top of the tower, con-
tinually unused and prayed But some
times she would speak OF the Saints
their holy lives and blessed martry-
doms.
Are there saints now?" he once
asked.
"Oui, mon enfant, holy men OF God.
driven forth from their fiocks, hunted
like wild beasts. And martyred king.
the son of Saint Louis
These stories thrilled him with a
mixture of exaltation and awe He
knew they dared not venture to the |
village lest evil men should harm |
them. And in the long days and |
nights he dreamed of martrydom, OF |
the short, dreadful wrench from life |
and it's quiet round. then of the celes-
tial joy and the peace of God that
passeth all understanding.
The whole commune was pressing
around the door of the blacksmith's
forge. Women, holding their babies,
were gossiping shrilly, peasants home
from a long days work in the wheat
were gathered in small groups, vague
1y curious as to the cause that had
brought d municipal officer from Stras
burg to their peaceful village Jean
Walther, the blacksmith. stood in his
doorway; his tall figure in all its awk-
ward strength doomed dark against the
red glow of the fire behind him. The
Marie was the strongest man for miles
around. none but himself could lift the
large hammer which he always called
mon fiIs," and now he lowered over
the small figure of his visitor.
Friends" he shouted in his big
voice. 1.-The citizen here has something
TO say to u.s.
The citizen here" paused for a mo-
ment, then began in a thin. high
pitched tone that sounded like the
echo Of the Mares shout He told of
the good fortune the Revolution had
brought. the giories of "Liberte. Ega-
lite, Fraternite." then continued:
And now that our liberty is won
now that we. free people, rule a free
country, 1t is our duty to cleanse our
selves of the Old stain. Priests, spies.
the emissaries of foreign
tyrants, all must be exterminated.
With sorrow we have heard that you.
citizens. are harboring consplrators
against the nation Tha. den of mi
guilty" he pointed towards the cha
teau. that lurl1ing-pi of oppressors,
holds a dangerous band OF plotters
who would bring back the priests who
cheated US with lies and the profit
gates who fatten on the spoils OF their